Opening in a haze of layered static, Skeleton Key
languidly drifts along until slight percussion is slowly added and a rush of
sounds carried by a despondent violin melody blooms. Richard Edwards’s vocals
begin around the 50 second mark, singing in a hollow, desperate, and hurt tone.
Using the idea of a key that can open any door and fit in any lock, the lyrics analogize
a Skeleton Key with betrayal by a loved one, its devastating personal effects,
the substances necessary to move on, and finally a complete break with the
past. “Don’t claim you love me, cause you know that ain’t true, My dire
affliction I’ll attribute to you, and you’re finally free to twist and turn
like a Skeleton Key.”
The underlying music is haunting, brooding sullenly
along to begin, but growing in steps in tune with the lyrical struggle to shrug
off the pain. At times a light piano lithely bounces along with the cadence,
intermingling with a quivering violin. At
various intervals the music explodes and pounding drums rise to finish the song
powerfully before ceding to a sad violen trailing off alone. It’s a breathtaking piece hitting emotional peaks several times
with all elements of the song, and one of the best tracks I’ve ever heard.
