Review / 200 Words Or Less
The City and Skyway
Everything Looks Worse In Black And White

Self Released (2009) — Sean K.

The City and Skyway – Everything Looks Worse In Black And White cover artwork
The City and Skyway – Everything Looks Worse In Black And White — Self Released, 2009

Being an objective reviewer, I will try and ignore the grossly overboard hyperbole contained in their press sheet. But this is fairly serviceable post-emo rock release from the mid-west. The guitars have flashes of hooks here and there throughout this record. The lyrics seem to have a very focused target on doctors, drugs, and the lack of healing in this world. Not sure if one of the band members works in a hospital or not. "Soaked and Numb" does a good job of presenting this worldview for the masses. I noticed that some of the members are really into the Big Guy upstairs too. Not that there is anything wrong with that. My tip is to embrace that and take it to the next level. If you're going to give a shout-out to "The Blessed Trinity" in your liner notes, then maybe it's time to rework your stage style into more of a Stryper type reality. Think it over, it may work wonders!

3.0 / 10 — Sean K. • September 13, 2010

The City and Skyway – Everything Looks Worse In Black And White cover artwork
The City and Skyway – Everything Looks Worse In Black And White — Self Released, 2009

Recently-posted album reviews

Manicdotes

Eight Lives Down
Independent (2026)

The chemicals are rushing right out of the gate on this one. You start with a cigarette and dive straight into Diphenhydramine (Benadryl, to the lay person) to calm your nerves from that nicotine rush. This album starts off with a raucous acoustic punk number that will leave you craving more. So, it’s a good thing it’s only the first … Read more

Maruja

Pain to Power
Music For Nations (2025)

ALBUM HIGHLIGHTS – “Look Down on Us”, “Born to Die”, “Break the Tension”, “Trenches” Ahead of their 100 Club appearance this September, Maruja’s latest release, 2025’s debut album Pain to Power – following a slew of six EPs, reveals awe-inspiring experimental rock clashed with muddy yet always melodious free jazz. Eclectic would be putting it mildly. In amongst all that, … Read more

Onelinedrawing

RAINBOWMACHINE
Iodine (2026)

I grew up listening to the acoustic side of onelinedrawing. Those stripped-down Jonah Matranga songs had a way of making everything else disappear, often needing little more than a guitar, a voice, and an honest melody to completely pull you in. That's still the version of onelinedrawing that immediately comes to mind for me, so with Matranga having been relatively … Read more