Patience is a virtue. Well, at least that is the sentiment embedded in theological authorities of morality, whether it resonates in religion or poetry. Yet, in this day and age, ideas of brevity and convenience have evolved into billion dollar companies. Everyone wants things faster and readily available at their fingertips. Even a love song. Hence, the poetically sweet and short single “Doll House” by The Skye Bleu Crew.
In the world of Americana and modern country rock, the Illinois-based band revives the meticulous task of making a meaningful song using a short span of time. For two minutes and twenty-nine seconds, lead vocalist Jen Botka belts out less than 100 words — 97 to be exact — over a superlative instrumentation crafted by guitarists Jason Botka and Bill Sonoda, bassist Johnny Gadeikis, and drummer Dominic Fallico, and somehow through an esoteric gift of musicality express the full girth of complexity that love represents.
Not an easy feat, but a challenge that has been accepted by greats, such as demonstrated on The Rolling Stones “Not Fade Away,” The Beatles “I Will,” Nirvana’s “Very Ape,” and a handful more. Now, “Doll House” joins the ranks of “good songs under three minutes.”
“Playing, dreaming / Imagining all we could do /
It started in a doll house / and turned into a life with you.”
– The Skye Bleu Crew, “Doll House”
Arriving as the very first single from The Skye Bleu Crew’s project Sink or Swim, “Doll House” can be interpreted in many ways. Figuratively, the modern country rock ballad appears to delve into the evolution of a relationship from infantry to full-on maturation. If depicted literally, the song could be an actual lifelong relationship that stems from a childhood friendship.
Listen to The Skye Bleu Crew on Apple Music
Either way, “Doll House” is a sweet melody that simmers in uplifting moods and good spirits, fitting for a world in need of more contributions to culture such as this.
The single, mastered by the Grammy-winning engineer Blaise Barton of Joyride Studios in Chicago, leads a collection of songs on the four-track Sink or Swim project released as singles. There’s the inimitable title track, “Sink or Swim,” where a delightful guitar solo at the 2:44 mark takes the listener through a sonically magical journey. Simply beautiful and reminiscent of the classic rock days.
“And you’re not how I envisioned when we used to play / But, you know, I would never want it any other way.”
– The Skye Bleu Crew, “Doll House”
Then there’s “Smile Again,” which leans toward the country side of a genre-bending project, with Botka’s vocals being the crescendo of perfection on the single as she sings about moving past the pain of life. The project wraps with the single “Why I Run,” a marvel of a song that sums up the direction of the band — it’s only up from here.
Song after song, the Skye Bleu Crew continues to experiment with their ability to pair meaningful lyrics while expounding less on tradition and more on the blazing trail of innovative creativity.
“Doll House” and the Sink or Swim project is available for listening on Apple Music, Spotify, Youtube, and other music streaming platforms.
Dear Betty Bema,
Thank You so much from all of us at The Skye Bleu Crew for your incredibly in-depth and intensely written review of not only Doll House, but also props to Smile Again, Why I Run and Sink or Swim.
We always make it a point to say, “thanks for listening”, but you REALLY LISTENED.
And we won’t forget you for it.
With Much Appreciation,
Keith