Islands' previous album, 2012's A Sleep and A Forgetting, was the most honest and direct album Nick Thorburn had yet made. Revolving around his divorce, the record was heartbreaking and true in a way that was slightly unexpected from someone with his track record. Until that album, Islands' trademark was light, breezy, and weird indie rock, but their move into a more adult and carefully constructed style totally worked thanks to the strength of the songs and the obvious pain that Thorburn was able to truthfully transmit. ...
Read More
Islands' previous album, 2012's A Sleep and A Forgetting, was the most honest and direct album Nick Thorburn had yet made. Revolving around his divorce, the record was heartbreaking and true in a way that was slightly unexpected from someone with his track record. Until that album, Islands' trademark was light, breezy, and weird indie rock, but their move into a more adult and carefully constructed style totally worked thanks to the strength of the songs and the obvious pain that Thorburn was able to truthfully transmit. The group's next record, Ski Mask, came very quickly after A Sleep, and it's mostly more sad dispatches from a guy whose heart sounds more than broken, it seems completely shattered and is proving hard to put back together. Apart from a few upbeat songs like "Waveforms," a tune that rides some very chipper sounding vibraphone and Thorburn's peppy vocals, and the razzmatazzy "Nil," the album digs into a melancholy place where atmospheric ballads and slowly unspooling tales of despair are the order of the day. Due to the subject matter and overall tone, it's not exactly a laugh a minute, but the album is no slog to get through, either. The songs have strong choruses, the melodies are memorable, and thanks to the help of the brothers Gordon of Ontario electro pop band the Magic and Thorburn's more assured record-making skills, the band sounds great. Thorburn's sweetly aching vocals are surrounded with rich piano and string arrangements, vintage synths, and huge-sounding backing vocals, giving the album a three-dimensional feel that surrounds the listener in a tear-filled blanket of sound. Sure, it's a little weird at times -- the hushed ballad "Of Corpse" has some truly off-putting lyrics -- many other songs have little twists you wouldn't expect in such sadly adult-sounding music. Everything works really well when it's all put together though, and while it's unfair to wish for Thorburn to keep feeling rotten, it's true that he makes some fine, deeply emotional music when he does. Fans of early Islands albums may feel Ski Mask to be a little on the morose side, but anyone who's ever had a heartbreak can appreciate what Thorburn is going through and admire how tunefully and truthfully he's dealing with it. ~ Tim Sendra, Rovi
Read Less
Add this copy of Ski Mask to cart. $5.99, very good condition, Sold by HPB-Emerald rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 2013 by MANQUE MUSIC.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Very good. Providing great media since 1972. All used discs are inspected and guaranteed. Cases may show some wear. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Add this copy of Ski Mask to cart. $20.99, fair condition, Sold by Service First Media rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Taylorsville, KY, UNITED STATES, published 2013.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Fair. Ex-Library rental. Disc(s) are professionally cleaned and may contain only light scratches that do not effect functionality. Includes disc(s), case, and artwork. May be missing booklet. Disc(s), case, and artwork may contain library/security stickers and ink writing. ARTWORK IS UNORIGINAL AND PRINTED BY LIBRARY. Case and artwork may show some wear. Case may not be an original jewel case. All disc(s) are authentic.
