Arts & Culture

Album Review: Sole and the Skyrider Band – ‘Hello Cruel World’

BY Tom Davis TIMEAugust 8, 2011 PRINT
Sole and the Skyrider Band - Hello Cruel World. (Fake Four Inc)
Sole and the Skyrider Band - Hello Cruel World. (Fake Four Inc)

Sole seems determined to push on after a split from his label Anti-Con with this new album. Beats-wise he often excels here, melding fuzzy bass, menacing synths and DIY drums with melancholic orchestral sweeps, best demonstrated on the title track or the belting 'Immortality'. Lyrically there is no variety away from relentless introspection, displaying badly judged emo singing as with 'Formal Designation' or worse, the hideously vocodered closer 'Villon' where the final repeated wail “hell is where the heart is” may make you angry. Fans could see it as a return to form, but for the less enamoured the musical flair might not be enough.

You May Also Like