Skying
by The Horrors
  • Record Label: XL
  • Release Date: Aug 9, 2011
User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 50 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 44 out of 50
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 50
  3. Negative: 3 out of 50
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  1. micho224
    Oct 24, 2011
    8
    Skying is a good album by the Horrors, but it's not as good as their 2009 breakthrough album Primary Colours. There's an increased presence of synths which mostly take precedence over guitars.
  2. jyo_tirmaya
    Aug 29, 2011
    7
    While this album seems like a further maturation and direction, it has lost some of the "human presence of emotions" with the confusing lyrics - as opposed to the "in your face" romantic verse of Primary Colours. I liked Primary Colours much better than this album. Primary Colours was easy to sink my teeth into and play it over and over. This album sees the band still making good music,While this album seems like a further maturation and direction, it has lost some of the "human presence of emotions" with the confusing lyrics - as opposed to the "in your face" romantic verse of Primary Colours. I liked Primary Colours much better than this album. Primary Colours was easy to sink my teeth into and play it over and over. This album sees the band still making good music, but not the kind that I like as well as in Primary Colours.… Expand
  3. Deathromp
    Aug 20, 2011
    0
    Skipping past the glaring little detail that is the title (Skying) - neither word nor adverb - whatever - artistic license today is obviously running ragged and tired - there's really no reason for The Horrors to exist - a post-punk tribute band so formulaic in style and execution they serve better as decoration. As far as the album is concerned - simply a cacophony of synthesizers fusedSkipping past the glaring little detail that is the title (Skying) - neither word nor adverb - whatever - artistic license today is obviously running ragged and tired - there's really no reason for The Horrors to exist - a post-punk tribute band so formulaic in style and execution they serve better as decoration. As far as the album is concerned - simply a cacophony of synthesizers fused into some sort of bland ambient goop that could pass off as any of the countless bands attempting the same tired, post-post-punk/ darkwave/ post-new wave â… Expand
  4. 2hip2beahipster
    Aug 9, 2011
    7
    Ever since their first album this band has continued to mature in the aspect of their sound. Faris Rotter's vocals are even more controlled and reserved as is the music. The synths are more controlled, and have a "bigger" sound to them. Tracks like Still Life really exemplify that. This album has a few gems in it; songs that I can listen to over and over again like "Endless Blue" "I CanEver since their first album this band has continued to mature in the aspect of their sound. Faris Rotter's vocals are even more controlled and reserved as is the music. The synths are more controlled, and have a "bigger" sound to them. Tracks like Still Life really exemplify that. This album has a few gems in it; songs that I can listen to over and over again like "Endless Blue" "I Can See Through You" and "Dive In". Overall, does this album top Primary Colours? No. Not for me. Is it a bad album? Far from it, it's a fantastic album and will definitely make top albums list when it's all said and done.… Expand
  5. JeffLebowski
    Aug 9, 2011
    8
    The third album from Badwan and co. finds them continuing the purple patch they hit with primary colours, though mostly abandoning the Geoff Barrow/motorik influences of that album for a self-produced sound akin to a poppier My Bloody Valentine. Swathes of ectastic noise anchored by nimble drumming and simple but effective bass work characterize the record, with Badwan's richer, deeperThe third album from Badwan and co. finds them continuing the purple patch they hit with primary colours, though mostly abandoning the Geoff Barrow/motorik influences of that album for a self-produced sound akin to a poppier My Bloody Valentine. Swathes of ectastic noise anchored by nimble drumming and simple but effective bass work characterize the record, with Badwan's richer, deeper voice becoming more of an asset every album. Definitely recommended for fans of shoegaze or quality 80s pop- and Simple Minds.....

    Best tracks - Still life, Endless Blue, I Can See Through You.    … Collapse
  6. Jombler
    Oct 8, 2011
    9
    I'm unfashionably late to the Horrors disco, after being repelled by the stench of NME, but it seems I arrived just when the party was in full swing. I've since dosed my speakers in their marvellous preceding albums, but while they can hold their own in a bar fight, 'Skying' magnificently transcends these albums. The album title proposes a band that have reached an artistic climax, anI'm unfashionably late to the Horrors disco, after being repelled by the stench of NME, but it seems I arrived just when the party was in full swing. I've since dosed my speakers in their marvellous preceding albums, but while they can hold their own in a bar fight, 'Skying' magnificently transcends these albums. The album title proposes a band that have reached an artistic climax, an empryean eruption of psychedelic resonance, and indeed these Southend-On-Sea lads are surfing the clouds.

    Far from the early gothic Nick Cave/Birthday Party influences that have seasoned their early work, they have reinforced the wonderful post-punk Joy Division backdrop of their predecessor with a richer, more chromatic sound. The doors are torn down with the blinding Hacienda-tinged â    … Expand
  7. djmadi
    Oct 24, 2011
    8
    Skying is a great effort for the band, catching a sound among psychedelia, space rock and new wave - memories. Surprising...and very - well done, lyrics are really stunning! The best alternative in Britain.
  8. Bowiemaniac
    Dec 13, 2011
    8
    Great album, love the electronic sound of the album, very wide.
    Sure it's all been done before but who cares, what's good is good.
    Loved Primary Colours also but i think this album is more in balance....
  9. ghostlight2
    May 24, 2013
    0
    Incredibly bland and generic. Every song sounds the same; there is not an original or interesting thought to be found on this record. Pretentious rubbish, only suited to Pitchfork employees and the delusional NME writers who are currently desperately trying to flog the appallingly dull Palma Violets.

Awards & Rankings

43
#43 Best Album of 2011
66
#66 Most Shared Album of 2011

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
83

Universal acclaim - based on 28 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 28
  3. Negative: 0 out of 28
  1. Mojo
    Nov 22, 2011
    80
    The Horrors manage to balance vinyl excavation with experimentation and a huge dollop of pop magnificently. [Aug. 2011, p. 90]
  2. Blurt Magazine
    Aug 29, 2011
    60
    Skying proves a maturing for the band and unveils a new realm of sonic possibilities.
    Read full review
  3. Sputnikmusic
    Aug 15, 2011
    80
    If Primary Colours still left any doubt, Skying makes it certain that The Horrors have moved on from the shadow of the (unfortunate) title of being NME darlings and into a realm where their future releases become something to mark on the calendar.
    Read full review
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