Green Sky Accident - 2022 - Daytime TV

(50:01; Apollon Records)

Track list:
1. Faded Memories 6:27
2. In Vain 4:37
3. Point of No Turn 6:39
4. Insert Coin 3:26
5. Screams at Night 3:13
6. Finding Failure 5:39
7. Daytime TV 5:21
8. Sensible Scenes 6:16
9. Lid 1:30
10. While It Lasted 6:53

Line-up:
Tore Torgrimsen - vocals, guitars
Stian Mathisen - guitars
Eivind Mjelde - drums
Svein Grindheim - bass
with:
David Christian Smith - vocals
Iselin Börve Toft - vocals


Norwegian band Green Sky Accident have a history that goes back almost 20 years from what I can see, and while I have never really been aware of the band until now in 2022 they have managed to release a handful of albums over the years, both self-released productions and material released on various labels. "Daytime TV" was launched in the spring of 2022, and this fifth album by the band is their first on Norwegian label Apollon Records.

One of the numerous aspects of music styles that I've never really been able to get comfortable with is the difference between indie rock and alternative rock. For me the very descriptions makes them pretty much undefinable in the first place, but as I see these handed out left, right and center when people describe music I need to be a little bit aware of these terms myself. And in the manner that I comprehend and understand these styles from descriptions, I'd say that Green Sky Accident is a band that dabble a bit in both camps. At least on this occasion.

We have songs here with a bit of a darker tinge to them, some of them where I'd argue that we find a little bit of a post-punk undercurrent. And on the concluding slower and majestic 'While It Lasted' my impression is that the first half and a bit isn't too far removed from what Norwegian band Madrugada created a couple of decades ago, albeit with a little bit of psychedelic rock mixed in and arguably a bit of post-rock too. That this song concludes on a more intense note with a slight flavoring of what I'd describe as noise rock is perhaps my main argument for an alternative moniker to merit a mention in this case of course.

Elsewhere on the album we do have songs with a bit of a lighter tone and atmosphere to them, and this is where I'll choose the indie rock references to come in handy. At times with songs not too far removed from the more radio friendly aspects of a band like Manic Street Preachers, on other occasions one might argue that a little bit of power pop have found its way into the landscapes explored. And in quite a few cases, especially early on, the landscapes explored have been expanded with some elegant nods in the direction of post-rock too, which suits this material quite nicely indeed.

The compositions here are by and large functional and competent too, and the majority of the songs are creations I'd describe as solid. With the opening track and the concluding song as my personal highlights, despite or because they are rather different sounding affairs on multiple levels.

As an album experience my perception is that this is a band that alternate between and combine elements from alternative rock and indie rock, and also alternate between exploring landscapes a bit more expressive and material that has a bit stronger focus towards being accessible and thus radio friendly in nature. The inclusion of psychedelic and post-rock details should also make it an interesting album among some progressive rock fans, even if perhaps more to a minor degree. I'd suggest that those who generally regard their taste in music to be a bit more adventurous than the norm, who also happen to enjoy bands described in an indie rock or alternative rock context, might want to take the time to get more familiar with this album.

Olav M. Björnsen, May 2022

Links:
https://www.facebook.com/greenskyaccident
https://www.apollonrecords.no