TRACK LIST:
1. Get Rid of This 4:03
2. Automatic Minds 4:40
3. The Guardian of the Water Tower 5:19
4. Singing Tree 3:17
5. Templar’s Last Stand 4:04
6. Love of Life 5:49
7. Dry Water 3:50
8. Dead End 7:51
9. Communication 3:23
LINE UP:
Jonas Ciurlionis - guitars, vocals
Bozena Buinicka - keyboards, vocals
Justinas Tamasevicius - bass
Ilja Molodcov - drums
with:
Snowy White - guitars
Neil Taylor - guitars
Glenn Sharp - guitars
Justin Klunk - saxophones
Rob Townsend - saxophones
Durga McBroom - backing vocals
India Carney - backing vocals
Christopher Alexander Hudiburgh - backing vocals
Prolusion.
Lithuanian band The Skys have a history that goes back to the 1990's, and their first few studio recordings also dates back to that decade. It would take almost a decade before the band were ready with their debut album "Postmodern Game" however, and a fair few years went by before they were ready with their second album. Following this they have released new material every few years, and currently they have four studio productions to their name. "Automatic Minds" is the most recent of these, and was self-released in 2019.
Analysis.
On "Automatic Minds" we find a band that alternate between two different varieties of progressive rock, and while both of them could be viable descriptions for the material explored here my impression is that as a whole this production is a bit more geared towards those with an interest in hard progressive rock.
The songs as such will typically feature some variety of other with this expression as a dominant aspect, sometimes features as more of a noise-tinged undercurrent, on other occasions with a more off kilter guitar driven core, as dramatic staccato riff constructions or as the good, old combination of organ and guitar riff. Alternating with these harder edged and vibrant passages we get more atmospheric laden sequences with a more mellow orientation. Arrangements that might be described as neo-progressive in intent to some extent, but often without the direct or indirect references to symphonic progressive rock that is a bit of a staple in that variety of progressive rock. We do get sections with more elaborate keyboard arrangements more in line with neo-progressive rock though, as well as a bit of a flirt with the more atmospheric laden parts of the symphonic progressive rock landscape. In addition we do get songs here that feature elements that may or may not be a nod in the direction of King Crimson, as well as very occasional subtle details that come with a world music and funky jazzrock tinge to them.
Everything here is explored in a welcoming and approachable manner though. The atmospheric laden passages are easy on the ears, the harder edged sections are vibrant and energetic, and the landscapes explored come with compelling and inviting rather than challenging and demanding properties. This is easy to like music, and material that should interest fans of melodic rock and hard rock just as much as those with an interest in an easygoing and easy to like variety of progressive rock.
Conclusion.
"Automatic Minds" is a production featuring songs that alternates between easygoing atmospheric laden passages and energetic and vibrant hard progressive rock sections, making good use of the contrasting parts to create tension, with the momentum and drive of the latter paired off with the more tranquil and subtle emotional touch of the former. If a compelling and easy to like variety of atmospheric laden progressive rock and hard progressive rock sounds interesting, this is an album to lend an ear to.
Progmessor: January 2023
The Rating Room
