Sybris - Sybris (Flameshovel; 2005)

This is the second addition to my series of Chicago artists. Sybris is scheduled to appear at Lollapalooza 2006, and are among my current most listened to artists.

When a full length album only has nine tracks listed on the packaging, I the expect the music to either be not fully realized, or maybe too stretched out for its own good. Fortunately, that is not the case with Sybris’ debut album. The band knows exactly what they want to be, and they prove it on each of those nine tracks. The album liner has crayon drawings of a bird (which is the only cliché thing about this album, due to the endless usage of birds by bands lately). But on the cover a wolf is confronting the bird, and everywhere else the bird flies free. Is this a statement about the band and how they currently feel?

Sybris draws on various musical eras, specifically 60’s folk, late 80’s indie rock, and early 90’s dream pop. Angela Mullenhour’s vocals call to mind Karen O of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, but with a more sincere approach. However, there are really few bands that Sybris actually resembles (My Bloody Valentine and Sonic Youth included).

The album opens with waxing noise. “Best Day in History Ever” plays at first like post-hardcore before opening up to a bombastic shoegazing climax. “Breathe Like You’re Dancing” follows a similar formula, starting with a tight verse structure, and changes tempos more than once, exploding at the close. “Neon” has a Pixies-type punch but with a more modern, hazy quality.

The dynamic instrumental arrangements invite you in, and Mullenhour’s voice closes the deal. She has a sexy tease to her voice that can only come naturally. Often, Sybris’s music is deceptive. Just when you think they are about to tread down a familiar path, they surprise you. Each song winds around itself and explores the entire realm of that sound. The good in that is that you never tire of a song before it’s over. You’re actually left wanting more, only satisfied by repeat listening. The greatest accomplishment of Sybris is that it isn’t quite like anything currently going on right now. Sure, there are moments that sound like other bands, but they’ve really claimed a place that they can hold for themselves. Although this album feels like an accomplishment, it shows even more potential. I’m already excited to see what comes next from this group, and to see how they pull off a live show.