Husky Rescue

Ship of Light (Catskills)

By Emily Becker
Published: October 9th, 2010 | 1:00pm

Ship of Light marks the first new material from Finnish experimental band Husky Rescue since 2007’s Ghost is Not Real. Founder and chief songwriter Marko Nyberg has a gift for taking large musical ideas like one might hear in a film score and encapsulating them in a 3 minute pop song. On Ship of Light the six-piece ensemble doesn’t deviate from the unique sonic palette they established on their debut, Country Falls. However, instead of relying on guest musicians, he now works with a stable group of musicians to help fulfill his vision for Husky Rescue. As a result of the group’s chemistry, not a single note on Ship of Light feels arbitrary, nor does the final product seem overworked or artificial.

Three singles, “We Shall Burn Bright,” “Sound of Love,” and “They Are Coming,” preceded the record’s release, and all are delicate creations, their exquisite melodies crystallized around Reeta Vestman’s ethereal vocals. “Wolf Trap Hotel” features lonesome pedal steel and tumbleweed rhythms, while “Fast Lane” and “When Time Was on Their Side” offer further variations by picking up the tempo. Still, they never lose Husky Rescue’s indelible, intoxicating blend of ambient synth sounds with traditional pop hooks.

A strong effort from bow to stern, on Ship of Light proves Husky Rescue remains on course.

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Husky Rescue official Web site

Husky Rescue MySpace page

Catskills Records