Skye - Mind How You Go

Genre electronica Publisher Cordless Recordings External Links Official Skye Website Official Cordless Recordings Website

I've been listening to a rather large stack of mellow music of late. I'm not entirely sure why, but I'm sure that it will present itself soon. I believe that one's listening habits reflect who you are more than anything else. In the same manner that the way one dresses reflects the sort of person they are, what music you listen to for extended periods of time (of your own choosing, leaving a radio station on for an hour or more would not count...that only indicates taste) shows what mood you are in. I guess I'm just in a rather quiet, introspective or emotionally guarded time these days. And that's where Skye's Mind How You Go comes in.

When I heard that the former lead singer of Morcheeba, the sensuous trip-hop/electronic combo from the UK, had finally released her debut solo release, I leapt at it. Morcheeba without Skye Edwards was a disaster and perhaps her alone wouldn't be? The first single, "What's Wrong With Me", was a pleasant enough listen, if not a little bit lighter fare than fans had come to expect from her days in Morcheeba. Even if the rest of the album matched up to the single, it would be heads and shoulders above their last album (and only one without Skye), The Antidote.

Well, while it is indeed better than the Skye-less Morcheeba, it is perhaps a little bit too easy listening to command much attention aside from hardcore fans (i.e. me). Skye's voice is impeccable and the music that surrounds it is awfully pleasing to the ears (aurally arousing). But there's not much to grab onto. Nothing that warrants a passionate response, or such that it demands closer scrutiny. I'd put this in with a bunch of other like minded fare for a relaxed wine and cheese party at the house (not that I do that sort of thing, but if the occasion arises...), but I don't see myself going back to it again and again like I do with Morcheeba's Who Can You Trust or Tricky's Maxinquaye. Oddly enough the solo album by Martina Topley-Bird, who sang with Tricky, Anything, is a release I dusted off after some time only to find that it revealed little of the power I recollected. Perhaps both singers ought to just consider going back to their old mates? Maybe what's in the past remains so and the present is just the realization that not everything remains the same? If so, I now have perhaps a better handle on what's been bothering me of late. sigh.