Thursday, August 5, 2010

Blue Sky Black Death's LP "Third Party" Go Indie Rock

Blue Sky Black Death (abbreviated BSBD) is the production duo Ian Taggart and Kingston Maguire.

Best known for their brand of orchestral Hip-Hop instrumentals and shoegaze influenced production which has been the backdrop for many vocalists and hip-hop MCs - including members of Hieroglyphics, Jedi Mind Tricks, Non Phixion and Wu Tang among many others, the the duo has produced what is easily their most catchy and pop-oriented effort to date, Third Party, a collaboration with indie-pop songwriter Alexander Chen (of Boy In Static and The Consulate General) for CT based label, Fake Four, Inc.

Third Party melds synth-pop, indie rock and BSBD's own take on shoegaze with Chen's cold, yet, oddly moving vocals. The possibility of collaboration was originally discussed when the three parties shared a gig in San Francisco in 2009. When Alex Chen moved from the San Francisco Bay Area to Gothenburg, Sweden in 2010, BSBD stayed in contact. Chord Sketches and drum loops made their way between Sweden and California and eventually Alex Chen, the "third party," had written an entire album inspired by everything from science fiction to politics to thoughts on human immortality.

Musically Kingston and Ian draw inspiration from 80's pop melodies and modern indie rock experimentation while maintaining an underlying percussive influence of hip-hop, while Chen's densely layered harmonies seamlessly weave in and out of the duo's intricately layered compositions. The album finds that perfect "sweet spot" - with enough sonic details to envelope you in headphones - but with hooks and beats constructed to shake the house.