THE SKY MOVES SIDEWAYS

The Sky Moves Sideways was the most impressive PT release to that point. Wilson created a 1990s space-rock opus rivaling the Ozrics and Djam Karet's best works. Full of gargantuan guitar space stations and pulsing beats, riveting effects, quiet interludes and Floydian leads, it is an unqualified black-light classic. My favorite part is the slow, melancholic guitar leads of the first 8 minutes of the title track, while some of the louder chaotic and repetitive parts drive me nuts more than they impress me. Frankly I think the guitar and drums are overly plodding/obnoxious in some spots. I have slowly warmed to it over time but there is one important thing which keeps me at arm's length. People reference Floyd often with 90s PT as I just did myself, but there's always been a flaw to that reference in my view. Floyd albums connected effortlessly with me on an emotional level both musically and in the themes. Those albums could reduce me to tears at times and the melodies and writing were timeless. Sky Moves blows me away in it's scope but it really moves me very little in any emotional way which is a problem. Some compare this to "Wish You Were Here" but comparing the two track for track in my mind, it's just not a contest. It's a nice long feast of heavy riffs and solos, well played and suitably epic in stature, but I can only count on a "good" and occasional spin from Sky. Impressing me alone is not adequate. On later albums Wilson would connect emotionally with me and the results would be more rewarding.

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