Review Summary: Strongly appealing, an oddball that captures the hook of common listeners. It can be appreciated by every generation alike for its talented and emotional entropy of the identifiable enigmas of life.
In many instances of band breakups and decays, there has been little success of the musicians creating new music that furthers the expectations of their abilities as an individual. Many people will believe that certain musicians can not function fully or as able without their band counterparts, who push them in different limitations in music. Talisker Skye was a band constructed by the lead singer of Tickle Me Pink, Sean Kennedy, during 2011. He convinced the company of two other musicians, Buck Dubs and Kira Lynn Sands, whom added to the variety factor of the band, as they were both extremely capable, unique, and adaptable to Sean's previously dormant creativity in acoustic music. This unity help created one of the most interesting and diverse folk albums that I have had the pleasure of listening to in these past years.
Starting off with the beginning of the EP, "In Defens", you are blown away by the introductory song, "The Fear", which sets quite a different tone and balance from Tickle Me Pink's, "Madeline", for those who had been prior fans of Sean's past work. It features beautiful singing done by Kira Lynn Sands, and a strange, almost orchestral-like tone. While the rest of the album in combination is very soothing, yet emotionally driving in the same instance. When one combines these two elements, they create a balance of listenable material that conveys ideals that surround mutual people, like you and me. This major factor allows the album to perceive not only nostalgia, but the main importance in our lives.
Separating the personal aspects of this album, let us go on a run down of each song more specifically, shall we?
"The Fear" (4:55) - This song does an excellent job of intriguing the listener to the rest of the album, as well as hooking onto to the listener, so they can enjoy the rest of the material that is offered. It features a distant, catchy, depressing tone that is hauntingly beautiful, yet disconcertingly addictive that you may replay this song numerous times when you first hear it. The acoustic guitar, piano, violins, and beautiful singing done by Kira Lynn Sands helps to make this song a masterpiece. [5/5]
"Away" (3:58) - This is almost the polar opposite of "The Fear" as it draws upon a more jolly tone than the previous track, yet lyrically represents a depressing subject of being away from your loved ones. It's amazingly refreshing, since it allows your feelings to be risen from the wallows of friendship. It features a mainly acoustic guitar, with singing featured by Sean Kennedy and Kira Lynn Sands, who do a wonderful job correlating their voices together in a memorable duet. [5/5]
"Apologies" (3:58) - This song feels slightly more generic than the rest of the album, as it connects back to Tickle Me Pink and other songs by a variety of different bands in the past. Although it feels a slight lack of originality, it is well-put and still manages to garner an entertaining track that does not receive the title "filler". The singing is mainly done by Sean Kennedy, along with a acoustic track that expunges a delayed undertone throughout. These aspects work well together to combine the emotional emphasis of Sean's singing with the delay of the song, to give a dramatic performance that not only connects with people, but makes them feel synchronized with the singer. [4/5]
"Falls Apart" (4:16) - As the final track of any album, it is important for the last track to profoundly affect the listener with a sense of success or fulfillment. As my personal opinion to be the voyeur of this serenade, I must confess that I am impressed beyond expectations with this last track of the album. It has a piano riff that sounds deceivingly lost, but represses a sense of depressing nature. As this goes on, an orchestral continuum is following with the repetitive piano overture lead off by the lead singer beginning to sing. The chorus seems very existential of the affection Sean Kennedy must have felt, as he surmises a duet with Kira Lynn Sands with a passionate display of charisma. The song does well to end the EP with a soothing ultimatum that captures the attention of the listener all the way to the very end, at the point that they want "More!". [5/5]
This album is without a doubt, almost one of a kind for the musical innovation it expels throughout the short time it is listened to. It displays a creative, simple, yet complex format through the instrumental dispatch and creation of musical representations of thoughts, feelings, and ideals. For this very reason, it is recommended that a person listen to this album to identify with it themselves, so they can understand the experience of a empathetic ride of change.
