National Skyline
File 13 Records
Indie duo National Skyline hails from the notorious Champaign-Urbana, Illinois music scene, but they don't play emo or pop-punk. Surprise! Actually National Skyline is the side project of a couple of Midwest indie rockers, Jeff Garber of the decidedly emo Champaign band Castor, and Jeff Dimpsey of the droning, science-rock outfit Hum. National Skyline takes its cues more from the latter band, creating a cool, modern sound that nicely blends sterile, programmed beats, loops, and synth tones with more organic instrumentation. Their music reveals some late '90s influences -- Beck and Radiohead both come to mind at times -- but the duo really seems to pine for the dark, gothic, synth-pop that owned the airwaves during the early and mid '80s. They strip that style of its endearing but dated geekiness, making it less about personality and more about a whispery ambience that shapes their clean, chilly futuro-pop. Often breathily pretty, this is music about distance, empty space, and isolation.
National Skyline has recorded a pair of EPs, one self-titled on Hidden Agenda, the other Exit Wounds on File 13. The second title features "October."
Jesse Ashlock
last updated:
08/21/01
Similar Artists:
Radiohead, Hum, AM/FM, Bedroom Heroes
Other Suggestions:
Beulah,
Guided by Voices,
Aspera Ad Astra,
Pink Floyd,
The Flaming Lips,
Primal Scream,
Blur,
Antarctica,
Elbow,
Matt Pond PA,
The Dying Californian,
for Stars,
Remy Zero,
MK Ultra,
Six By Seven,
Sigur Ros,
Clinic,
Tracer,
Interpol,
The Race,
Menthol
