The Bluest Sky dropped its third album Birdland into the world just recently. Whether rocking out with electric guitar assertions or laying out pretty, inspired pedal steel landscapes, Chuck Melchin and his band mates draw us into many personal landscapes with an undeniable pluck.
Opening track “Magpie” is tasty rock, edgy with considerate amounts of bracing instrumentation. Melchin’s lead guitar work, sharp, cutting, keeps stabbing its way forward with a startlingly good phrase. Nudging rhythm work keep that guitar and Melchin’s haunted vocal in good company as he makes his way through his eerie recollection.
“Stellwagen” continues this band’s magic in another way, its tightly woven instrumentation leaving just enough space here and there for a vocal or an instrument to grab our attention by popping up in a fun peekaboo. A country flavored guitar drips with a sweet melody. One can hear each of its perky little notes containing something special. Melchin places his homey vocal in the space between the rustic flavored melody and the striking mid tempo hits from the rhythm section. This weaves one good thing with another.
Title track “Birdland” finds Melchin’s soothing vocal brushing against a soft landscape. A sweet guitar occasionally echoes its pretty melody. A more brittle guitar line tap dances through the song supported by a speedy shuffle. This one grabs the ear with its combination of a softer, winsome application of tender instrumentation and an understated plaintive vocal.
“Finish Line” gets a gentle push from a bass drum as quieter instrumentation swishes around on top. We can feel the rustic influences from the sweep of lead vocal, Melchin’s vocal ease compliments the motions of this song. This one comes together well because every player leaves just another space for the other to paint the personality of this song.
“According To Plan” makes its presence felt with a pedal steel line candy coating everything with a melody as shiny as it is pretty. Its down home on the range feel makes a good home for Melchin’s laid back vocal. He lays out his worldly wisdom with an unobtrusive voice that nestles itself into the stretchy vibe of outdoor sensibility.
“Isabella” returns Melchin’s combo to a smoldering atmosphere, something that grinds its way forward. Perfectly toned guitars release just enough oomph to give an upward lift to their moody ways. Another guitar takes the lead, laying out something that burns slowly. The listener can feel as well as hear that guitar torch lead the other players.
“Please Come Home” takes Melchin and company’s rustic genteel sound along a speedier set of wheels. This one makes the listener feel its motions, a smooth, ever running line of soft vocal timbre, a pushier rhythm section, and two contrasting guitar lines, one cutting its way forward, the other leaving rippling notes in its wake as it fills the space atop the punchy rhythm.
“Snowbird” offers the kind of guitar picking edge that makes the listener picture the pick hitting the string. Alongside those accented notes is a rangy melodic line from pedal steel that creates a fetching contrast. Melchin’s plaintive soft vocal finds a little space for his considerate pace within each measure. His take his time pace makes the song feel earthy and honest.
“The Motel” expands The Bluest Sky sound with an uptempo groove that lets its rangy country tinged instrumentation roll forward with unremitting cool. Perky guitar notes travel over that groove with sparkle and spark. Melchin’s voice, nestled warmly between all else going on, makes a warm and personal approach, a person reaching out to us during a time of cause and concern.
Close out track “White Belly Bird” gives this whole flight a soft landing. Mellow vocal, lightly bowed octave violin, and a ripple of mandolin notes keeps this one in a pleasant place. A heartfelt farewell for now is just what was needed at this point.
Melchin’s band The Bluest Sky keeps getting better and better with each new release. They dig deeper into each songs emotional fiber and they bring it back to the listener with subtle and now and then not so subtle touches of instrumentation and voice. Produced by Melchin and Jabe Beyer, Birdland also features Jen Gunderman, Dave Westner, Andy Santospago, Jess Fox, and Lynne Taylor.
