Any Colour You Like
Now this is what I'm talking about. It's been a good while since I've heard an up-and-coming band with so much potential. Sure, Pet Slimmers of the Year's debut was a little less than amazing, but ...And The Sky Fell is pretty damned good, if I do say so.
The production is much better, smoother and more professional, without being over-polished. The melodies and riffs seem more inspired, while the percussion hovers around the periphery, as with their earlier release, threatening to derail the compositions into expansive spacey trips. The music feels a little more relaxed when the band kicks back, and more intense and suffocating when they decide to engage the distortion pedal. Having said this, there's more to Pet Slimmers of the Year than just the loud/soft dynamic. Indeed, they aren't afraid to lace compositions with melodic clean sections layered with delay and other effects. The expansive nature of the music is refreshing and immediately absorbing. It's not subversive and quirky, but rather restrained and diligent. While I would go so far as to describe this release as minimalist, don't for a second think that it's boring. This is the kind of music you can lose yourself in, and while post-metal isn't going to be everyone's favourite drop, it's just one of those things you can enjoy in the right context.
So, well done Pet Slimmers of the Year, I'm impressed with what you have done so far; but the true test is where you'll go from here. If this latest release is anything to go by, the band appear to have a good future ahead of them.