Shifting Skin

On | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 6, 2000)
• Original Release Date: June 6, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B00004SCH9
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (36 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #186,407 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars New Directions, April 8, 2003

By 

Jesse Hart "Graphic Novel Guru" (Lynnwood, WA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Shifting Skin (Audio CD)

Often times an artist's inner voice is subsumed by the roaring engine of his band, preventing them from exploring interesting new directions with their music due to the theme and scope of the band they're in. Occasionally we see successful bands travel off the beaten path (to failure, as with Smashing Pumpkins, or relative success, like the Goo Goo Dolls), but more often than not, that artist's voice is never given an audience.

For Ken Andrews, the time to hear his "new direction" came at the collapse of Failure, the commercially unsuccessful but underground champion band that epitomized "word of mouth" music. Finding himself with a lot of time to do what he wanted on his own, he opted to put together a synth pop solo project called "ON" and put out a new sound of his own devising. He called in notable worthies like Matt Mahaffey of Self to assist on a few tracks, and put together an album radically different from his days in Failure.

"Shifting Skin" is a fantastic experiment in modern synth rock, combining Ken's distinctive vocals with catchy instrumental riffs and the classic space rock elements that made Failure so unique. The album is an easy listen, evoking low-level emotions throughout and making itself comforting and lulling--a far cry from the angst-ridden drone of Failure. The title track is a catchy groove with cross-over potential, while "C'mon Collapse" is an upbeat melody unlike anything we've heard from Ken since the Replicants days. The album was born to be a commercial success, but unfortunately no one seemed to catch on due to poor media management, and it sank into obscurity.

The follow-up album, "Make Believe," was an independent release that you can't even find on Amazon. Details on it are available at kenandrews.com in the News section.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ken Andrews the great songwriter, August 1, 2005

By 

Stephen B. Wright "music lover" (asper,AL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Shifting Skin (Audio CD)

I have recently discovered the great works of Ken Andrews. I have purchased both Magnified and Fantastic Planet by Failure which is a great introduction to his music and then also decided to take a listen to Year of the Rabbit which is just as amazing as Failure and is in the same vain of that style of music. On his solo project before Year of the Rabbit is different although not in a bad way. It is more synth driven than guitar driven yes but the great songwriting is just as good as anything he has ever done. The only cd by On you can purchase here is Shifting Skin which is the first On cd but there is another On cd called Make Believe that was released on On Records you can purchase it on cdbaby.com though along with another Year of the Rabbit EP called Hunted. I have not heard either one of these yet but if they are like everything else I have bought by Ken Andrews it will be fantastic. I suggest if you love music to give at least one of these cd's a try and I can almost assure you will not be disappointed by any of them.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic Album, April 29, 2001

By 

Preston (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Shifting Skin (Audio CD)

I'll keep this short and simple. I bought this album because I love FAILURE ... "Shifting Skin" is one delightful album that provides increasing enjoyment the more times that you spin it. (So, spin away!) Everyone, and I mean EVERYONE, that I have played this album for has rushed out and bought it, no matter what type of music that they enjoy. I'd say that was a ringing endorsement.