SKYDIGGERS
Bittersweet Harmony
MapleMusic/Universal
· Looking back to a gentler time.
"The lines are deeper on my face," sings Andy Maize towards the end of Bittersweet Harmony, the Skydiggers’ first album of new material since 1997’s Desmond’s Hip City. Although Maize and his bandmates may be older, the music they are making in 2003 is vintage Skydiggers – close harmonies, upbeat yet restrained melodies, and reflective lyrics.
After the increase in volume and bombast on Desmond’s, die-hard fans will welcome the band’s return to its folky roots. All three singer-songwriters (Maize, Josh Finlayson and recent addition Paul MacLeod) have penned songs of life, love and loss – "Horseshoe Bay" and "Sweet Heartache" are particular standouts. However, I’m not sure that Bittersweet Harmony will persuade those listeners who moved on to other sounds to return to the fold, or that its gentle approach will draw in new fans.
This album won’t grab you, but it will soothe you – and that’s not a bad thing.
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