Boston’s Sky Flying By has been dancing around the outskirts of our radar for a while now, remixing a track for The Echelon Effect and contributing to the recent compilation Elements 02. Can You Say It With One Word? is his third album (this one a mini-album), introducing his third question. Curiously, the title of the most powerful track from What’s the Farthest You Can See? (“More Questions Than Answers”) also implies confusion. But David Palmer seems to have figured at least one thing out since then, which is that a little orchestra can go a long way. On that track, Ro Rowan’s cello breakdown made a huge contribution, so it’s great to see this collaboration continue here. The presence of Rachael Boyd’s violin is another integral element on the new release. Together, these artists help change the timbre from post-rock with modern composition to modern composition with post-rock; a minor distinction, perhaps, but an important one as it has the potential to open up new markets. At this point, Sigur Rós comparisons will be replaced by Rhian Sheehan comparisons (the music boxes being a huge factor), and with any luck, Sky Flying By will soon break out of comparison status to influence status, in the same way as The Echelon Effect broke out of the shadow of similar artists by developing a signature sound.
Solomon Grey’s bird painting is inadvertently apt, referencing the famous “duck / rabbit” illusion as it appears to be both bird and bunny. The music of Sky Flying By possesses the same illusive quality. The “sometimes this, sometimes that” description Palmer provides implies that he would agree with such a statement. It’s enough for now, but at some point the artist will need to answer another question, this one from “Moonrise Kingdom”: what kind of bird are you? (a possible title for Album #4). In the meantime, this lovely quartet of tracks portrays an artist in flux. The two center tracks are the strongest: “Reliving” contains the clearest use of music box, as well as the heaviest amount of grit. (Grit is good.) Extended string notes lend the piece the veneer of A Winged Victory for the Sullen. Two-thirds in, a drum beat sets the stage for a change of melody and mood. The percussion then recedes to make room for the soft intro of the seven-minute “Endearing”. This piece swirls around for a while like troubled water, but allows light choral voices to calm it down. When three minutes remain, the track repeats the trick of “Reliving”, but with military drums; the approach is less effective the second time around, but the track is still a fair reflection of its title.
Can you say it with one word? Improving. With a 12-track album in the works, the future looks bright for Sky Flying By. We’ll look forward to hearing the artist’s next question. (Richard Allen)
a closer listen 