"If you’re a regular reader of this column, you won’t be remotely surprised that I’ve got a lot of affection for Brisbane rockers the Valery Trails. The three men in the group are musical lifers that, even as they are (I’m assuming from the band photos) pushing 50, have to get their frazzled garage pop out into the world at all costs. They release their music without the help of a label and do short tours around Australia — all for the love of the game. This chosen path would be Sisyphyean for any other group, but the Trails have the talent to back it up. Their new album finds that carefully carved out niche where the jangle of their fellow Aussies the Go-Betweens is married to the loud psychedelicized attack of a great late ’80s power trio. There’s passion and purpose in these songs that should be celebrated and analyzed by younger musicians. Do your homework, kids, and give this a spin." - Robert Ham - Paste Magazine - New & Notable Vinyl Releases
"The Valery Trails are wonderfully inventive, but not stuck in any one place ,,, The Sky Is Blue is a top notch listen, a real example of how Pop and the Guitar can take you into so many joyful areas." - I Don't Hear a Single - The Sky Is Blue album review
"... effortless jangled riffs that augment the omnipresent melodic intent, this is the big anthemic sound that just will not leave your head." - Janglepophub - The Sky Is Blue album review
‘The Sky Is Blue’ is a beautiful collection of acutely personal reflections delivered with an optimistic grace and stature, empowered by an inherent power and muscularity. It is the sum of many precious parts, reflecting an international perspective gained from travels, but grounded in something very antipodean and raw. - Backseat Mafia - The Sky Is Blue album review
"Expansive multi-layered vocals create a heavenly chorus that is redolent of Teenage Fanclub in a tryst with The Byrds, while the wall of jingle jangle guitars create a shimmering foundation that recalls The Go-Betweens and REM. But The Valery Trails only tip a hat to these influences: they have carved out something of their own: an antipodean-flavoured bubbling effervescence that is captivating." - Backseat Mafia - Zancudo video premiere
"Brisbane based trio, The Valery Trails, always seem to find the perfect blend of the best of 80s power-pop and jangly riffs. This is another perfect slice of the type of 2 minute pop perfection that they are synonymous with!" - Janglepophub - Jasalmer single review
"Have some angst-ridden shoegazy blues to see you into the weekend from The Valery Trails, this is the aptly named ‘Introvert Blues’ and it’s got a little Gary Numan, a little Sonic Youth and a bit of Husker Du, and we can dig that." - Soundsphere - Introvert Blues Single Review
"Part Australia, part Texas…that’s the story of The Valery Trails. Their sound, well, it’s going to take you back to classic 90s radio sounds, filled with a solid melody and distorted guitars. The chorus of “you are ok, we are ok,” is catchy too, so you’ll have something to sink your teeth into while you jam this one. Think of bands like REM or maybe a happier Dinosaur Jr and you’ll no right where this group stands. They’ll release their new LP, Chameleon Bones, on August 5th, so look to the end of your summer for this rad release." - Austin Town Hall
"Most of the songs come steeped in toe-tapping melodies and are defined by catchy guitar hooks, as well as Bower’s lived in vocals.
Highlights include the utterly infectious In Your Heart, which combines an instantly head-nodding back-beat with some almost indie guitar hooks that resemble (vaguely) the heyday of the Stone Roses era. Put together with Bower’s gritty, yet hushed vocals, it makes for a potent cocktail.
Hollywoodland has a more laidback, slacker vibe akin to the likes of Psychedelic Furs (circa Pretty in Pink, while Children inflicts the guitar sound with a kooky organ melody that slides in and out playfully.
Waiting drops another of those more alt-rock slacker vibes akin to Dinosaur Jr or Nada Surf and is a great track to just kick back and enjoy on a lazy day, especially instrumentally, but with a vocal that sounds amplified as if sung through a vocoder or something.
Fragment Hanging rocks its way into your subconscious in fine fashion (with more classic riffs), There Is Love blatantly lifts from The Cure’s seminal Close To Me instrumentally (and could almost be a cover until the lyrics take it in a different direction), and Black And White has a beautifully sombre tone to it that, again, takes its cues from The Cure – but some of their more melancholy work. It’s dark but hypnotic.
Put together, this is a mighty fine listen from a band that deserves to find a much wider exposure."
Jack Foley, IndieLondon (April 27, 2014)
Each moment of "Buffalo Speedway" is a journey down some misty road of mood and nuance with something surprising lurking just around each corner. Andrew has developed leaps and bounds as both a songwriter and guitarist since the debut. He still maintains his languid vocal style that slowly drags me in like a cloudy dream. His guitar works shimmers and glistens over the impeccable bass of brother Sean and drummer Dan McNaulty. Guest vocals by We All Want To's Skye Staniford are an angelic presence, as on the final cut "Rise and Fall" -- the lilting of her gorgeous voice perfectly complimenting and emoting Andrew's own tones. She helps to fill in spaces and adds another ethereal layer to the songs.
In addition to the presence of Skye, We All Want to is warmly represented by drummer Dan and vocals and outstanding production for Tim Steward. Working the dials with The Valery Trails, they combine talents to create an album that is energetic at times and unhurried at others. Always gorgeous. Always mesmerizing.
Grand Atlantic is also richly represented her by brother Sean's throbbing bass and keyboards by Morgan Hann.
Simply a gorgeous album from start to finish. And a special nod has to be given to the title track "Buffalo Speedway" as both the rockingest cut on the album, but also on a personal level as I used to live just off Buffalo Speedway in Houston myself. If there was ever a street name that begged to be a song title, this is it. Cheers Andrew. Well done.
The Ripple Effect