I know I have reviewed this already but as a busy freelancer I was sent it by 2 seperate websites. I don't mind though, I love this album and could easily write a third review. Probably won't though.
Whilst not quite Chinese Democracy proportions (Well not at all) it does seem we have been waiting for an age to get our hands on the debut long player from Leeds trio Sky Larkin. Having now received and devoured it we can report back that it was more than worth the wait. ‘The Golden Spike’ is a triumph from beginning to end and is a body of work that will not just please existing fans but should see them branch out and multiply their fan base tenfold.
The decision for the band to decamp to Seattle and record the album stateside with John Goodmanson looks to be an inspired move. Having worked with Sleater Kinney and Death Cab For Cutie Goodmanson knows his American alternative and has given Sky Larkin a transatlantic sheen that they could perhaps have not achieved elsewhere. From the opening track ‘Fossil Eye’ onwards the listener knows they are in for a thrilling ride, fun and exhilarating with lashings of emotion and yearning thrown in for good measure.
The bands pop-punk leanings file themselves nicely alongside Wichita label mates Los Campesinos and tour mates Johnny Foreigner as well as the aforementioned Sleater Kinney and the sugary angst of Kenickie. Singer Katie Harkin’s way around a melody is a fine accompaniment to the driving guitars and Nestor Matthew’s heavy drum beats that lay the foundations of Sky Larkin’s music. Throughout the whole album there is neither a lull nor a track that could conceivably not be released as a single; every three minute burst of lo-fi pop comes with an alluring energy and relentless sunshine melodies. The songs that hit you initially are the direct anthems such as the epic ‘Beeline’, the laid back carousel waltz of ‘Somersault’ and the punchy and feedback heavy ‘Molten’. However every listen of ‘The Golden Spike’ leaves you with a new favourite track or moment. The child like refrain of ‘Pica’ will wedge itself firmly in your brain and the grungy ‘Matador’ is particularly excellent. Also we must mention that the twisted violence of romance is summed up deliciously in the lyrics to ‘Keepsakes’ (Gonna cut you in pieces, keep sakes, Get it done, as long as it takes, Gonna put you in boxes and jars, and keep the bigger bits in the boot of the car)
This is an album that doesn’t chase you around begging to be liked; it simply stands in the corner nonchalantly drawing you in with every passing second until you are down on bended knee worshipping it every move. ‘The Golden Spike’ is the outcome of hard work and great musicians combining in an explosion of fun and rebellion. A fine piece of work and one everybody involved can be proud of.
8/10
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