Sky: Piece of Paradise
EMI
by Tasmina Patel
Imprint staff

From the first single off Piece of Paradise, you would assume Sky is just another flash-in-the-pan, one-hit-wonder pop group. But listen to the rest of the album and you just might think otherwise. Contradicting the band's pop sound are the not-so poppy lyrics, which instead, offer a harder edge or, at times, even some humour to the songs. "Some kind of Wonderful," the first single off the album, may seem all swinging and loving, but take a closer look at the words, and you'll realize that there's an unusual twist. As lead singer, James, explains it, "It's about this guy who falls in love with Satan in the form of a woman. They move to the suburbs and have kids, and everybody gawks. He thinks it's because she's really pretty."

Underlying the Montreal-based duo's pop sound is the bump 'n grind of R&B and some funky hip hop. The song, "Powder," which features the rap talents of Meesah and "Push," which highlights the Motown guitar sounds of Wah Wah Watson, help create variety and originality within the album.

Rounding off the album are some slower ballads that lose the drum and bass and bring out the more soulful sounds of the piano and guitar. "All I Want" is a wistful, dreamy song that slows the album right down. But not to worry, Sky would not be so predictable. They end the album with the catchy tune, "Last Time I Saw You," yet another song that sounds innocent until you take a closer look at the lyrics, which are sexually explicit.

The most interesting thing about the duo that makes up Sky - James and Antoine - is that the two not only write their songs, but they also helped produce most of this album. Not something you can say about many of the top-charting artists of today

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