Skalar - spooky
The Lollipoppe Shoppe,
Format: CD / DL
Cat.-Nr.. LSCD 024,
Release date: October 1st
Distribution: Broken Silence (GAS) / Sound-Effect / Clear Spot
Five years after their debut EP "Miracle Cure" Skalar is back with an album-length CD called "spooky". The trio still plays their very own blend of folk-rock with a full yet subtle rhythm section accompanying guitar- or Rhodes-based songs with lots of melodies and harmony vocals.
The band took their time to finish this album, produced by Skalar and recording-wizard Bernhard Rupprecht at Black Sheep in Neuss, Germany. Bernie was eager to get the best aural results out of the recording-, mixing- and mastering-procedures - and after being one and a half years in the making the album is full-bodied and mature now. The range includes traditionally structured folky songs, enhancements of those with bits of noise 'n' rattle, some dub-groove- leanings and a psychedelic-freak-out. To expand Skalar's trio-sound some honored guests added soulful organ-soli, brooding double-bass lines and even more harmony vocal layers (but: electric guitars can't be found on "spooky").
As for the title: It wasn't done intentionally but over the years so many eerie and other-worldly motifs came together that the title "spooky" now seems more than apt. There's a mermaid, a poisonous snake, a big bad wolf, an old lady clearing her good name from the afterlife - there're little lights in dark woods, strange happenings in a coastal town and some vampires thrown in for good measure.
To give the album a jewelry-box-look the graphic-designer Christian Witt developed a shiny Digi- Pak-cover which wouldn't be out of place in an Art Deco boudoir.
So, all in all here's a little treasure chest filled with heart-felt gems from Skalar - please take your time and listen.
Credits:
Anne Smidt - vocals, guitar, keyboards Sebastian Birk - bass, vocals, keyboards Groucho Kangaroo - drums, percussion
guests
Jürgen Dahmen - keyboards
Oldrik Scholz - harmony vocals
Freddy Mast - harmony vocals
Moussa Varolgil - trumpets
Frank Henkemeyer - double bass
The Crew of Unshaven Seafarers - backing vocals
produced by Bernhard Rupprecht and Skalar
recorded, mixed and mastered by Bernhard Rupprecht at Black Sheep in 2020/2021
artwork by Christian Witt
photography by Frank Henkemeyer
"... this more universal slightly European vibe merging with Americana is what really works here. That, and the fact that they write fine songs with lovely vocals and varied sonic arrangements. The future looks bright based on this ..."
David Hintz, FolkWorld (Nov 2016)
"Opening track 'Unmystified Woman' is melodic and powerful, its blend of folk and pop lifted by the vocals of Anne Smidt that soar above the music beautifully. On 'Best Intentions' a lonely trumpet adds plenty of emotion to a gorgeous song, whilst the title track is simply lovely, a gentle and sparse tune that sways softly on a moon-lit beach."
Terrascope Online (March 2017)