Blue Sky

AMG Review of Blue Sky

Larry Belanger
All Music Guide

The good news for Anastasia fans is that the band have moved ahead with their sound and out of the '90s power-chord style. They now sound as if they're focused on keeping up musically with the ever-changing rock scene. The bad news is their newfound reliance on vocals: Guitars take a clear back seat on their latest album, Blue Sky. The band's vocalist, Bill, is good, possessing a decent vocal range and a good sense of melody, but he sings primarily in a British-rock style. This, and the lower-profile guitar work, could turn some away from the album, but that would be a shame, because there are some wonderful tracks here. "Over Me" has a unique structure, with the rhythm section carrying the bulk of the melody and guitar nuances filling out the background -- an alluring concept that works very well with the lyrics. "Children" opens up with some colorful acoustic guitar, but then takes a sharp turn, showcasing some red-hot lead guitar work and a steady rock beat from the rhythm section. The title track, "Blue Sky," opens with vocals and acoustic guitar and, like "Children," transforms into a heavy rock piece; some interesting effects are used on the vocals here, adding depth and color to the tune. The drumming on "Eric" really stands out -- the fills and accents are very impressive -- but the song also has a catchy melody that tends to grow on the listener. Easily the best track on Blue Sky is the propulsive "Treading Water," which features a unique, driving beat and terrific lyrics. On "Mary," Bill has an excellent opportunity to display his range and expressive nature, but the rest of the band get to flash their chops as well, negotiating quick breaks and offbeat time changes with an impressive ease. "Panic" is an extraordinarily rich-sounding number, with layers of acoustic and electric guitars and keyboards giving the song its depth; the vocals are also extremely melodic and powerful. One of Blue Sky's better tracks, "Walking in Circles," features a slight country twang -- a genre-blending touch that gives the song a rather interesting dimension. Strong drumming drives the straightforward rock number "Pittsburgh," while "Suburban Love Story," despite possessing a unique, syncopated beat, is short on dynamics and hooks. "Doing Nothing" features some fantastic electric guitar work that, unfortunately, is dwarfed by the band's overreliance on vocals. "Lucy and the Crocodile" starts off like an excellent, guitar-oriented number, but once again the focus turns to the vocals; luckily, an extended guitar solo comes along just in time to save the song. The untitled album closer features a lovely melody carried by just acoustic guitar and vocals. Despite a few weak points, Blue Sky is a strong overall effort and well worth the attention of any fan of British rock.