Skying - The Horrors
Skying Image
Metascore

Universal acclaim - based on 28 Critics What's this?

User Score

Universal acclaim- based on 32 Ratings

  • Summary: The third album for the British rock quintet was produced and recorded by the band.
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 28
  2. Negative: 0 out of 28
  1. Jul 6, 2011
    100
    There's no fault to be found with Skying--truly, every song here hits its mark, and while The Horrors are evidently a band happy to change its spots from record to record (and steal a few licks, too), only the most ungracious of observers could deny that they've now crafted two of the finest British albums of recent years.
  2. 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.
  3. Nov 22, 2011
    80
    The Horrors manage to balance vinyl excavation with experimentation and a huge dollop of pop magnificently. [Aug. 2011, p. 90]
  4. Aug 29, 2011
    60
    Skying proves a maturing for the band and unveils a new realm of sonic possibilities.

See all 28 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 8
  3. Negative: 1 out of 8
  1. 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 Prima
    ry Colours also but i think this album is more in balance.... Expand
  2. 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, 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.
    Expand
  3. 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
  4. 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 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

See all 8 User Reviews

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