Sky Architect’s “A Dying Man’s Hymn” is a Brilliant Undertaking

By dante On October 11, 2011 · Leave a Comment

A funny thing happened on my way to reviewing Excavations of the Mind, the debut 2010 release by Sky Architect on Galileo Records. Actually, two funny/unusual incidents occurred.

First, When the second track of Excavations of the Mind started playing on my itunes yesterday, I recognized every note. About 6 months ago, I had added Deep Chasm Part II: Chime to a mix CD and have listened to that song about 200 times.

Second, while preparing to review the first album, I stumbled across their latest release, A Dying Man’s Hymn. Oddly enough, I found the album on emusic , not on the Sky Architect website. The new album was released in June of 2011, over 5 months ago. Someone should fire their social media person. *cough*

So which one to review? The new one, of course. But I’m leaving the debut album cover up on the blog because the artist, Mark Wilkinson, creates amazing paintings.

Treebird begins the album with a surprise that I won’t reveal. Let’s just say if you’ve ever had a mockingbird outside your window at 6 AM, you’ll understand. It is in this first song that Sky Architect sends a strong message to the listener. On both albums they allow their progressions to evolve slowly and this patient approach to the composition results in an off-beat, thoroughly enjoyable song. In this way the opening track on Excavations of the Mind and A Dying Man’s Hymn are very similar.

Sky Architect doesn’t just give us 30 seconds of flavoring before launching into their song. Each measure is carefully built upon from beginning to end. The songs progress and transition in a very logical manner. This music is clearly intended for a higher species, Vulcan perhaps? Well, on second thought, not Vulcan at all. However, I think Captain Picard would love the music of Sky Architect.

The second track breezes along like its title suggests: Melody of the Air: Exposito. But at 4:30 into the song, the progression changes into a darker, harsher movement and the listener has been given a clue- there is danger ahead.

The Campfire Ghost’s Song is a juxtaposition 0f two distinct musical styles. The song opens with a sweet jazz-fusion progression that somehow manages to transition into a classic Floydian-style movement. After a few verses, sung capably by Tom Luchies, we are led back again to the fusion movement. Surprisingly, this all works well together.

Woodcutter’s Vile at 12:59 is the longest song on the album and it is even more jazz-based, with some excellent guitar lines that carry this song to its bright, clean ending. Yet, I’m still waiting for the heavier edge and alternative sound that defined Excavations of the Mind. I’m finding less of that here. Until the next song.

The second movement of the three part Melody of Air entitled Explicatio, is a symphonic work of art. I love every second of this song, from the spaced-out, record spun backwards beginning and with harmonics to the Steve Howe guitar (YES-SOON) to the freaky cool progression to the weird, whispered lyrics- I really enjoyed this song. And now I’m into this album; fully committed to every note and hearing new sounds with each new play.

The Breach has our protagonist singing that he’s ready to climb forever and the excellent opening transitions into a stunning keyboard build. When the build reaches it’s climax we are left with a single finger-picked guitar and voice.

Dragonflies encircle me, giving me strength, giving me peace. A eagle hunts and rules forever, as my life slips away.

This song is the high point of the album. There are varied vocals, intense and simply whacked progressions that surprise at every turn. The Breach is a complex, priceless song that only Sky Architect could have created. The sheer number of progressions and movements within this song is mind-blowing. The Breach deserves heavy airplay on every progressive rock radio station in the world. It is simply THAT good.

Hitodama’s Return has a real Porcupine Tree feel and again has a great transition with a melody that is honest, plain- stripped bare to provide emphasis- this is where the producer deserves recognition for knowing best what is needed for each song.

Melody of Air: Recapitulatio begins with a stunning piano recital in the style of Chopin, and it is the most beautiful and angst-filled moment on the entire album- a brilliantly written and performed piano movement. It fades about halfway through the song replaced by a dark symphonic progression.

A Dying Man’s Hymn brings this album to closure. The song begins with some lovely acoustic guitar, transitioning into a second acoustic guitar movement; yet this one is darker to accompany the last verses of the album.

To fly away from his sins and sorrow. Did he jump to forget? Did he fly to regret?

The album ends with the fading strings of the acoustic guitar…and we fly off in regret that this album isn’t a double disc. Sky Architect’s A Dying Man’s Hymn is FTW, a near epic album from an amazingly talented band.