A lot has changed for our ‘Silent Sleep’ since we reviewed them last year, and it’s not just the thickness of singer Chris’ amazing beard. It appears they’re not so silent any more. Following the release of their first album, ‘Walk Me to the Sea’, which sounded like exactly the kind of thing that would boost moral on The Queen Anne’s Revenge, they’ve finally swept up another beautiful collection of songs, entitled ‘Stay The Night. Stay The Morning, Too.’. Cheeky.
In that time they’ve had some incredible achievements, including performing in Australia (where they sang with one of the guys from ‘Neighbours’, of course, though I’m pretty sure it’s an Australian qualification to be in ‘Neighbours’ at some point), played the Sundance Film Festival in the U.S., and travelled to Brazil to play several shows with Dan Croll and Dave McCabe of The Zutons during the 2014 World Cup. Their first album was limited to 250 copies, one of which I am a proud owner, but I’m sure their second baby will be being spinning on hipsters’ record players by the thousands soon enough. Our boy is growing up *sniff*.
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The songs themselves are quite varied. ‘I Wish It Could Be Different’, the first track, combines softer instrumentals with prominent vocals, creating a pleasant equilibrium. Another song, ‘Don’t Kiss That Girl’ (maybe someone watched The Little Mermaid before writing it and didn’t like it), also carries on this pattern of using melody as a prop rather than a lead, and it works. It has steel drums and everything.
My favourite song is easily ‘How Can It Be Like This’. Chris’s voice is supported by some heavenly little harmonies, with fluctuating guitar and piano riffs keeping the song buoyed. The vocals aren’t overly polished but no raw voice is. Some songs are quick, some songs are slow, some songs make my eyes leak (‘We Cry On Our Own’, too relevant to my life), but all of them deserve their place on the album.
Overall, Silent Sleep falls gently into the merrier side of alternative music, despite some relatively grim lyrics which just contrast prettily with the tune. Nothing on the album ever sounds bare. There is an acoustic ambiance to each without sounding as if they’re lacking in anything. Maybe I’m biased, but I’m proud that our city has produced such promising talent.
Band Website: http://www.silentsleepband.com
Review by: Meg Morgan | follow Meg on Twitter
