Sleeping at Last has taken Chicago's music scene by storm, and has recently been signed by Interscope records. This year will mark their second year playing the underground stage at Cornerstone.
Billy Corgan, formerly of the Smashing Pumpkins, called them a cross between his old band and Sunny Day Real Estate. Corgan has befriended the trio and has been working with them to get signed. Independently, Sleeping at Last's latest release is their first full-length album "Capture" that came out in 2000.
The thing that makes this CD a must-have for all emo fans is the vocals. Ryan O'Neal has a majestic voice that makes Sleeping at Last's music tranquil and angelic. Not only does he have a sweet voice, but he also has quite a vocal range, which he shows in "April" as he hits an incredibly high note in a falsetto.
However, the best song on "Capture" is probably the title-track. The music is dream-like, the vocals are pure and the lyrics aren't bad either: "Your words are the blanket that keeps my warm."
Other solid songs include: "A Million Charming Words," "Seven Mile December" and the two instrumental tracks. While some songs are better than others, there really isn't one mediocre song on "Capture."
What could be criticized is the production, which is excellent for an independent release, but is not quite up to industry standards. The biggest issue with it is just that the volume level is noticeably quieter than a typical CD.
Overall, Sleeping at Last has put together a gem of an album. They possess a unique talent in their ability to rock out as well as to induce a peaceful sleep that only beautiful emo music can produce. To sample "Capture" click here.
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Other coverage for this album
Bandoppler 2000Reviewed by Kristin FroemmingI realize that it is quickly becoming one of the most overused (and vague) words in the English language, but I'm hard pressed to find any other fitting description for this album, and that word is emo. "Emotional indie rock" might be a fair description, too. Ah, who needs tags or catch phrases to slap on things anyway? No matter what you call it, Sleeping At Last's first full length, Capture,…The Phantom Tollbooth 2000Reviewed by Zik JacksonChicagoland indie rock band Sleeping at Last takes their name from Psalm 62:1, where the soul finds its rest waiting on God. However, their sound is anything but sleepy. Taking musical cues from such groups as Switchfoot, Sunny Day Real Estate, Sixpence None the Richer and supergroup U2, Sleeping at Last endeavors to make their mark on the indie alt-rock scene. The debut album Capture is one of…
