Let me get to this straight away; I love the movie, The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, so naming yourself after Lee Van Cleef's character in that movie, makes you a-okay in my book.
and for a Roof a Sky Full of Stars is the third record from Angel Eyes, following 2005's Something to Do with Death and their split with the group A Fine Boat, also released this year.
As "One" unfolds, the various sounds are rather edgy but somehow soothing at the same time; I really enjoy the measured pacing that Angel Eyes establishes from the start of the song and the way that the music slowly begins to congeal into a more recognizable form. When the vocals explode onto the proceedings (at about the seven and a half minute mark) the tone of the music only slightly changes but the intensity kicks up several notches. Even when "One" quiets down again, there is an ominous or menacing mood to the tone of the music; it gives off a very uneasy feel while listening to it, but "One" is still completely enjoyable. The raw production even gives the recording character that lends a positive affect to the song; better production might make the track more sterile sounding. The lyrics have some fairly desperate motifs as well, "When I was young I would wake up each morning and run to the window to see if the world was obliterated in the night
" and it continues "Then one day I blinked my eyes and found myself an adult without much left to believe in
" If I did not feel it inappropriate to reprint the songs lyrics in their entirety, I would do so because I find them rather striking.
The fade, into "Two" from "One," gives the whole record a very cohesive quality which is a huge plus. "Two" differs from its counterpart in its overall bombastic sound, which is very dynamic and eschews the slow tension building composition of the first song on the EP. The guitar melodies also differ in that they have a "soaring" quality, which contrasts nicely with the heavy, and at times, pounding rhythm section. The lyrics also continue the seeming line of thought that Angel Eyes puts forth both musically and lyrically in the first song. "I am, for better or worse, an adult / I realize now that this was inevitable- nothing lasts forever and it's how we deal with that that counts." Again, the lyricist(s) write an excellent set of words, this time for "Two." The band ends
and for a Roof a Sky Full of Stars with a static filled barely audible spoken section; this is a nice touch and seems to tidy the release rather well.
and for a Roof a Sky Full of Stars is a pleasant surprise; Angel Eyes deliver a strong EP that has great dynamics, strong writing, and impressive lyrics to boot. The sound is raw, but the production fits the mood and tone of the recording just right; if the production were any slicker, the ambience of the record would be ruined. I am glad that this album came across my desk; it comes highly recommend.
