Haunting, Enchanting, And Utterly Exquisite Debut album...
Ryan Kelley | Cleveland, Ohio | 07/08/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"As a fan of ethereal electronica I make an extreme effort to seek out new, talented musicians, who can invoke emotions in me through the music they create. When I first stumbled across Sleepthief a couple years ago on Auralgasms.com I was instantly drawn in and almost bewitched by the lush quality and achingly beautiful musical soundscapes that Justin Elswick has come up with. The songs are all unique and compelling. The electronica tinged beats and swirling female vocals will entice ANYONE who listens to this album! The first track I ever listened to was Eurydice, which feature the otherworldy, seductive vocal stylings of Jody Quine. Jody has worked with Delerium and Balligomingo and has one of the most BEAUTIFUL voices I have ever heard. Eurydice grabs the listener and takes them on a journey. The song is almost otherworldly! Once you hear this song you are completely under Justin's spell and yearning for more. 'Desire Of Ages' entwines middle eastern vibes, slinky beats and the always sexy musings of Shelly Harland (who has also worked with Delerium and is a big fave of trip hop followers). 'You Did A Good Thing' highlights Nicola Hitchcock's (formerly of Mandalay)wispy voice and brings a calm and lovely vibe to the disc. Other highlights on the album include 'Just Say It', 'Kiss To Savor', and 'Entre Ciel Et Mer'. The music on this album is amazing and I would recommend it to EVERYONE! Fans of Delerium, Balligomingo, Enigma, Conjure One, Magna Canta, and other exotic, sensual, and electronica enhanced artists will REALLY appreciate this cd. Justin is so talented and I can't wait to hear more from him (Not to mention the fact that he is incredibly modest and kind to his fans-heck, I am even thanked in the liner notes-that's how much he loves his fans!)
Do yourself a favor and pick this album up RIGHT NOW. Let yourself be taken away to a magical world of seduction and beauty...that is where this music will take you...BUY IT NOW!!"
Aural Ambrosia
Rebecca Johnson | Washington State | 02/23/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
""Searching, I hear it call me
Knowing it's you I hear
The sweet embrace of you near
Spring night descends its sweetness on me
This late night stroll leading
With one thought on my mind..."
~Kiss to Savor
Sleepthief's "the Dawnseeker" slips into your world like a faraway dream and then it takes over your every waking hour as you find yourself lost in its endless intoxicating dream. At times mythological (Eurydice) and at other times modern (The Metro). The songs can at times sink deeply into an almost gothic romantic contemplation (Kiss to Savor).
"You Did a Good Thing" has an uplifting hopeful quality, while Kristy Thirsk's crystalline vocals are truly angelic and stunning within the celestial textures of "Sublunar." The silky sensual mood remains consistent throughout making this a perfect album to listen to while reading, say a novel. I loved listening to this while reading Broken Paradise.
If you love Lunascape, Balligomingo (Beneath the Surface), Zero 7 or Delerium or Kirsty Hawkshaw - Meta Message (she appears on The Chauffeur) you may find this intoxicating. If you love electronica, you may also want to take a romantic journey with "The Attraction" by Evening Ocean.
"Just say that you love me
Alone and silent face to face
just say that you need me
Those words that swallow this empty space"
~Just Say It featuring Kyoko Baertsoen (Lunascape)
~The Rebecca Review
"
Best enjoyed with a subwoofer.
E. Hildebrand | United States | 03/25/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"If you're a fan of electronic and downtempo beats, progressive harmonics and mellow vocals, or even just a touch of the divine, I've got five words for you:
This music will enchant you.
I don't review things on Amazon; this may in fact be a first. But it is necessary to extol Sleepthief's Dawnseeker. I have been a longtime fan of Delerium, and bought their Nuages du Monde CD (which is very decent) last week. Sleepthief was an afterthought; a means to free shipping.
I listened to both CDs the night they arrived, but Delerium was quickly shelved, because I can't get enough of the Dawnseeker. The audio samples from Amazon's site did not prepare me for how great this music is.
The first track, Eurydice, grabs you and holds you. But the second track, Desire of Ages, with its chilling harmonics and quality vocals, takes your breath away. The rest of the CD is definitely worthwhile, but Tracks 1 and 2 make you want to stop and repeat them over and over.
I'll be keeping an eye out for the sequel."
Nothing short of magical
Sakis | San Diego, originally Greece | 08/20/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Ever since i bought this CD it hasn't left my CD player. The songs are trully ethereal, some darker, some lighter, all with just crystal clear angelic voiced vocalists- many of them quite famous in this musical genre (Kirsty Hawkshaw, Harland & Kristy Thirsk from Delerium, Roberta Carter Harrison from ATB, and Jody Quine of Balligomingo fame). It's a beautiful album that i enjoy listening from beginning to end. Electronica, blended in with new age, blended with relaxing chill out pop tunes. All the songs have little stories to tell. All the performances are just stellar. If you like Balligomingo, Enigma, Sarah Brightman, Delerium or Conjure One then don't miss this CD."