Channeling their kindred spirit of influences, New York City-based indie rock band, Skidmore Fountain is a bit on the unconventional side, with a five-string electric cello, guitar, drums and vocals making up the group. This unusual set up and approach also impacts how they write songs. As a result, their album, Cloudless Blue,is an artistic look back at 70's rock brought forward in time by mixing in 21st century bombast. While all this sounds like it could never work, it's an impressive display of musical prowess and songwriting skills that makes this quaint little group sound more like a traditional rock group at times than a traditional rock group.
Cloudless Blue is a record of contrasts battling for control. Whether it is Skidmore Fountain's 70's prog rock leanings or their forays into modern gloomy indie rock, the two sounds are constantly bashing themselves into each other for total domination. Funnily enough, neither wins but the struggle constantly continues and that's what makes Cloudless Blue a good record. In addition to the power struggle, Cloudless Blue takes full advantage of the fact that it not only has a built in string section but also the fact that it's as temperamental as it is epic. Those qualities in addition to it's contrasting nature truly make this record stand out.
Arty in all the best ways, Skidmore Fountain take their influences and manipulate them into a beguiling cocktail of sounds that sound classic(al) as well as completely modern at the same time. Cloudless Blue is a sensitive and quirky record that manipulates your ears and emotions into liking it and when it's done with you, you can't help feel good about that. One of the best records for a grey day you'll hear this year, this is the perfect fall soundtrack.
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