Skeleton Staff’s Psychomorphism – Its only Baroque ‘n Roll but I like it

I miss the days of cartoon bands. Gorillaz brought back the fad for a short time in the 90’s (sort of), but they weren’t nearly as good as the Brill Building faux bands like The Archies or Groovie Ghoolies. Thanks to Skeleton Staff, a powerpop / baroque / classic rock band from Australia, we get to revisit the genre in all it’s glory, sans the Saturday morning TV show.

The cover artwork gives only a hint of what’s up. The tray card even less as the credits under the track listing read as follows: “written, arranged, performed, and illustrated by Skeleton Staff”. A Google search yields nothing in the area of actual bios for the ‘band”, if in fact there is a band to speak of. Is this the work of a single person or a team of individuals? Their website and Myspace page, both of which present a cartoon persona of the band, identify the members only through corresponding fictional characters.

I had no preconceived notion of Skeleton Staff’s disc, entitled Psychomorphism, would sound like. The description I’d been given? Baroque ‘n roll.

Right from the get-go the harpsichord intro of “I Told You I Was Poor”, the albums first song, piqued my interest. And when I heard the opening lines of the song, I was hooked. “I never asked you to. I never wanted to. She rolled in like I was Poland back in World War II”. Brilliant.

There’s a smorgasbord of influences here. From the Queen-like guitar parts and soaring harmonies of the opening song to the Ziggy Stardust-esque “Rat Poison”, this record is a joy ride through yesteryear without being overly derivative. All these influences blend into one to create something very different.

Capsize is a great piano driven number and Gateway to the Stars has an irresistible melody. “I Was Drunk” is a lyrically brilliant song written from the perspective of an alcoholic who is eschews all responsibility for what he’s done after 9pm, instead placing the blame on the alcohol.

“Prince of Thieves” is an irresistible number and Skeleton Staff covers all the bases with “Becoming My Old Man”, your requisite song about genetics, and what is appropriately the final song, “Is It Still Good”, meant as a question for a washed up football player, I imagine.

Throughout all the tracks and the myriad of influences evidenced throughout, what stands out are not the
details or ornate accessories that makes the songs shimmer but the irresistible hooks and infectious power pop melodies underneath.

I’m a fan of Aussie rock bands. AC-DC, The Chevelles, Dom Mariani, Hoodoo Gurus, and the band that gave us the best album of 2012, The Wellingtons all hail from down under. Move over guys, and make room for Skeleton Staff.

I don’t know if I’d call it baroque ‘n roll but I like it.

[You can find Skeleton Staff’s new CD, Psycho morphism, at Kool Kat Musik or purchase the download here.
There is information, albeit limited, on their website at skeletonstaff.net or at
their Myspace page.