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Written
by Laura Dodero, posted by blog admin
Sky
Orchid’s Oculus begins with the evocative cut “The River” and Gabriel Traynyak’s
vocals immediately stand out as among the most individual I’ve heard in recent
years. The brothers form Sky Orchid, Gabriel and Daniel Traynyak, are
thoroughly modern sounding and share similarities with many first rate
recording acts of today, but “The River” and later songs possess a distinct
character unlike the vast majority of offerings from acts in this vein. The
highly stylized qualities of their songwriting and presentation are further
explored with the second track “Sneakers”, but there’s less focus on the duo’s
rock influences in favor of a sleek, streamlined pop rock approach. There’s a
strongly cinematic quality to the duo’s music, as well, and the opening tandem
of tracks illustrates this exceptionally well.
“In
the Fire (Pt. 1)” has a ballad-like construction many will enjoy. The
sensitive, lyrical introduction with guitar and voice alone soon gives way to a
steady rock push from Daniel Traynyak’s drumming. His talents on the kit and
top notch production virtues often come together on Oculus to take already fine
material and send it stratospheric. “Wildfire” and “I’ll Stop the World (Pt. 2)”
are cut from the same musical cloth as the album’s other eight songs, but they
strike a marked contrast with each other. The former is a largely acoustic song
only returning to Sky Orchid’s familiar melodic sweep in the song’s final half.
“Wildfire” is a welcome gear shift on the album proving the duo has a wider
songwriting and performing range than many listeners might initial suspect. “I’ll
Stop the World (Pt.2 )”, however, foregoes acoustic guitar entirely and rates
among the album’s best nods to rock’s influence on their music.
Gabriel
Traynyak’s vocal for “Lex” is among the album’s best. His elastic voice covers
the gamut from the opening’s restrained, atmospheric delivery through
gut-wrenching soulfulness in the song’s second half. Tucked into the
tracklisting just after the album’s halfway point, it may be overlooked, but I
don’t hear a slack second during the song. “Breathe Easy” is more of a lark, a
loving take on influences from artists as diverse as Sublime and Bob Marley,
but there’s a rambunctiousness about this track only wild-eyed youth usually
produces; it’s jarring but daring to turn another direction entirely near the
song’s end and unleash a full shred guitar hard rock final curtain. Some will
love it; frankly, some will hate it.
One
of the album’s best examples of spot on guitar melody comes with the track “Take
It All”. The light bounce of the central guitar figure sustains itself through
an assortment of changes and Gabriel Traynyak gives a smooth, gliding
performance playing off well against the six string’s bright energy. The album’s
penultimate tune “Yesterday” opens with ominous piano and drums before
keyboards and guitars enter the picture and the song settles into a steady
tempo. It’s definitely the darkest moment musically on Oculus, but tasteful and
never testing listener’s tolerance for self indulgence. “Fortify” closes Oculus
with a nuanced mid-tempo piece firmly in keeping with the earlier songs and
acting as a sort of “falling action” following the climax we hear with the
previous track. Sky Orchid’s Oculus is one of 2017’s more impressive debuts ,
yes, but it’s one of the best first efforts in recent years as well.
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