Bye Bye Blackbirds, The / August Lightning Complex
Album: August Lightning Complex   Collection:General
Artist:Bye Bye Blackbirds, The   Added:Feb 2022
Label:Self-Release  

A-File Activity
Add Date: 2022-03-06 Pull Date: 2022-05-08
Week Ending: May 1 Apr 17 Apr 10 Apr 3 Mar 27 Mar 20 Mar 13
Airplays: 2 3 2 2 2 2 3

Recent Airplay
1. Apr 22, 2023: Music Casserole
Marching
4. Apr 29, 2022: Music Genealogy
Out On The Waves
2. Jan 13, 2023: KZSU Time Traveler
Favorite Stars
5. Apr 29, 2022: KZSU Time Traveler
We Got Lost
3. May 13, 2022: KZSU Time Traveler
Favorite Stars
6. Apr 16, 2022: Music Casserole
Out On The Waves

Album Review
Francis D
Reviewed 2022-02-15
“August Lightning Complex” The Bye Bye Blackbirds
Local Oakland-based indie rock band led by Bradley Joel Skaught. 6th album. Big guitar sound with a hint of Americana at times, performed in a style that begs to be live. Rich harmonized vocals, with lyrics that examine the turbulent times we’ve endured over the past two years. Contemporary sound…yet also a throwback to the great guitar rock of the 70s. RIYL: Tom Petty, R.E.M., Neil Young & Crazy Horse, The Byrds, or any 70s guitar rock.
— Francis

Recommended: 8, 1, 3, 2, 10, 9. No FCCs noted.

1. (3:02) Want Show As Young — Early-70s rock, with tasty guitar licks and prominent horns. Steady, train-like rhythm. Harmonized vocals. ****
2. (3:19) Mechanics — High-energy rocker with a hint of Americana. ***
3. (3:03) Out On The Waves — Rolling and swaying, like a boat riding on ocean swells. Plinking piano throughout, with guitar attacks for emphasis. ***
4. (3:28) Something From The Old World — Shuffling, guitar-based rock. Swallowed vocals. Fuzzy and jangly guitars in the lead break.
5. (1:19) August Lightning Complex — Fingerpicked guitar interlude.
6. (2:56) We Got Lost — Deliberate tempo. Layered guitar rock with lead vocals featuring a duet between Bradley Skaught and Kelly Atkins.
7. (0:59) We Got Lost (Reprise) — Play-out of Track 6 after a beat. Play on continuous to add it. A flurry of in-your-face guitars.
8. (2:25) Favorite Stars — Straight-ahead rocker with trademark Bye Bye Blackbirds sound. Edgy guitars, mixed with silky, harmonized vocals. ****
9. (9:15) Marching — Slow-burn epic blues rock anthem. Drone-y, march-like pace with shimmering guitar effects. Almost crooning vocals. Gets big and clashy as the song progresses. ***
10. (4:55) Don’t Wait — Late-70s big guitar rock closer. Explosive bursts punctuate familiar-sounding melody from back-in-the-day guitar heroes. Searing lead break. ***

Track Listing
1. Want Show As Young   6. We Got Lost
2. Mechanics   7. We Got Lost (Reprise)
3. Out On The Waves   8. Favorite Stars
4. Something From The Old World   9. Marching
5. August Lightning Complex   10. Don't Wait