Before You Close Your Eyes To Sleep

The Society of Rockets “Plastic Stars”

The Society of Rockets’ tribute to the late Trish Keenan is built upon a keyboard part with a tonality that will be immediately familiar to fans of her work with Broadcast. This sound, like a sci-fi warning siren repurposed as an accent for languid melodies, was a key part of that band’s aesthetic: Grim modern and futuristic sounds contrasted with Keenan’s understated melancholy. Joshua Babcock conveys sadness in his vocal performance and melodies here, but he doesn’t even attempt to approach her icy persona. He couldn’t if he tried – for one thing, Keenan was a one of a kind talent. More importantly, Babcock can’t help but express an open-hearted sweetness in his music.

Buy it from Three Ring Records.