The Sky – The Sky
http://www.theskyofficial.com/

Rating: B

The Sky is Robert Fleishman’s new band. Fleishman, most famous for being the singer Journey before Steve Perry, and as the co-writer of the classic “Wheel in the Sky” is a great singer who has always lived in the shadows. While The Sky will not likely change that, it does prove that Fleishman is a great talent. As a vocalist, he has a unique sound and his work ethic and dedication to the new music are solid.

The Sky will not remind one of Journey, which is a good thing. It is sad when performers like Fleishman have to lower themselves to trying to put out product to a select group of fans just to make a buck. There is none of that here. In fact, the music is a mix or hard edged guitars and songwriting that harkens back to the late 1960’s and early 1970’s. There is something very classic in this music, yet it is done with current technology and plenty of modern day energy. The result makes the album very interesting.

There are many nods to an English rock sound, think The Kinks with a much more modern hard edged sound with melodies that are very catchy. It sounds odd, but, believe me, it works. “All I Want” opens the albums and any questions from my descriptions will be cleared up right away.

Other standout tracks are “Sunshine,” “Time” and “Revelation.” Fleishman performs well but he would be the first one to admit that this is a band effort. In fact, the energy of the musicians behind him make this one the powerhouse that it is.

This one is worth checking out as it is music made for the right reasons. It is refreshing to hear a band make the effort to be true to themselves and put their heart and soul in a musical project despite the shape of the record industry today.

The Sky may not be lighting up the airwaves, but for those who seek them out, they are bringing a damn good album to light. Buy this one and spread the world, one fan at a time, as this is a strong effort that deserves some recognition.

By Jeb Wright