Skiprope Cello Dives With Zelda (2015 debut EP review)

Here at Potluck Suicide, there's been much anticipation for the release of the first studio EP by a band we follow call SKIPROPE CELLO. We've had access to their demos, we've sat in on some appearances, and well, houston, we finally have contact. Why should we be kindred spirits with them? Consider that their influences include:

Dostoevsky, Steely Dan, F.S. Fitzgerald, The Clash, Henry James, Potluck Suicide, Gary Numan, James Joyce, Daniel Amos, Fellini, Marc Plainguet, CS Lewis, The Residents, George Bernard Shaw, Al Jolson, Atom Bender, Chopin, Captain Beefheart, TS Elliot, Bob Dylan, Ultravox, Scott Joplin, Mark Krischak, Anthony Trollope, The Strokes, Kraftwerk, Bill Mallonee, Franz Kafka (as noted at SOUNDCLOUD found right here 

So what's not to like?  

Their 2015 debut album release "Diving with Zelda" is based on the writings of F.S Fitzgerald and portrays the ironic nuances of the not quite there yet but trying attitudes of the 1920s roaring jet-setters. The style is, how shall we say ... indefinable. Even one early listener on SOUNDCLOUD notes ... "whoa, I've never heard anything like this" (-from DREWZY PIEK PROMO PAGE). The three piece California/Iowa band describes their music genre as an eclectic mix of alternative, lo-fi, techno, lounge, punk-jazz. Confused yet? Why not just enjoy? The loungy, lo-fi opener "Birds" - replete with vintage Fender Rhodes and moog synth sounds - is a great place to get initiated:




After a wonderfully random scurry of words and noise in "This Side of Minnesota" resolving around a melodic, chorus, out-tro "ragtime kids, flappers, jazz-women, baby-vamps" the EP throws the listener a curve-ball with a hyper-ditty entitled "High Point." The song has quickly been noticed as a favorite from the band on SOUNDCLOUD. Check it out for yourself:




 Following some obtuse, yet enjoyably literate, jazzy mutterings in "Old St. Paul" a listener thinks the artists might be figured out, and then they spring (or should we say summer?)  on us our personal favorite song on the album, the garage-esque, retro-synth punk - into - light jazz number "Divers of the Riviera." The theme of the song is said to be based on a fictitious couple known as the Divers in F.S. Fitzgerald's lesser known book "Tender is the Night." The words and feel become infectious, and mirror-like in an ironic way for the modern listener. What is lo-fi, punk-jazz? Try it on for yourself:


An acapella reprise wraps up the experience, and we look forward to future jumps with Skiprope (you can pick up their album at BANDCAMP by going HERE. 

(We will soon be reviewing their terrific debut VIDEO as produced by WORST KITCHEN RECORDS). Until then, here's a link to check it out for yourselves.

                                    (art work by meg smiley design: http://www.megsmiley.com/)