Search - The Sleeping :: Questions and Answers

A Fine Debut.

Courtney P. Grillot | New Orleans, La | 06/21/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Just when I had lost all faith in Victory Records, they release "Questions & Answers" by The Sleeping. Just to be clear, I had never heard this band before buying this disc, picked it up totally on a whim and it has yet to leave the CD player. From the bare-knuckle beating of "Don't Hold Back" to the mostly instrumental "Still" this album is completely solid.



The singer reminds me of a less gruff Tim McIlrath (Rise Against) except that he has superior range. The guitar work is second to none, and it constantly keeps you guessing. The bass is worked masterfully in mostly punchy, groove-setting moiety. The drumming is carefully crafted and extremely intricate.



By far the best CD I have bought this year and overall, an outstanding debut from a band that will hopefully have staying power.



Standout tracks: "Don't Hold Back", "Loud and Clear", "Heart Beatz" (A tribute to the late John "beatz" Holohan of Bayside), "Dearest Mistake""

Answers.

distance.distance | long island, NY | 06/03/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"SInce listening to their earliest demos, this is their best material to date.



These fellow Long Islander's have put out an extremely solid record start to finish. There live show is amazing every time, and they seem to keep getting better and better musically.

This release, show how much these guys have matured. There seems to be alot more emotion in the lyrics and the musicianship itself. Every song is catchy, and this one will revolve in your cd player for awhile.



If you listen to the Sleeping, and even if you don't, this release is their best to date. Give it a few listens, you will get hooked.

"

The Sleeping ~Questions and Answers~

RaY RaY Pine | Philly | 08/16/2006

(3 out of 5 stars)

"So I've found yet another Victory band in my review package and I'm wondering prior to listening if this is the direction the label is headed in.



Their influences, according to the press release, range from The Police to The Mars Volta and Nine Inch Nails. Will you hear any of this in their song writing?



A little.



The songs have a pretty straight forward indie/emo sound that bands from Long Island have been doing for years (Brand New/Taking Back Sunday) except The Sleeping aren't as poppy as early Taking Back Sunday.



""Don't Hold Back"" is a catchy song with a strong chorus. The singer, Douglas Robinson, reminds me slightly of Cedric circa At The Drive-In minus their depth and dynamics which doesn't mean it's all bad... it just means that he isn't ground breaking.



The length and breadth of the album reminds me of the basic Long Island sound with some Mars Volta influenced breakdowns (see: ""Loud and Clear"") and the album closer, "Still" which is heavy handed with it's straight forward approach to the `Volta atmosphere.



Nothing special but nothing terrible here. If you're looking for more indie to fill a hole, go for it. If you're done with what the scene has to offer, this isn't for you.



For Fans of: Taking Back Sunday, Brand New, At the Drive-In"