Review Summary: "...We are creatures of habit."
Music is such a beautiful creation by mankind. An orchestration of different instruments, all arranged in a particular fashion as they produce sounds that manage to distract us from the mundane existence of everyday life. And when these sounds are coalesced together in just the right manner, when the music being produced immediately seduces us and have us yearning for more, it's such a surreal moment. That's the beauty of music, there's all different types of genres and a multitude of artist, that we're bound to find something we'll love. Sleeping At Last is not a name that is often mentioned by mainstream media, but one may find that they contain a charm within their person that is quite appealing.
The music of
Keep No Score is rich with a delicate intimacy. The lyrics of Ryan O'Neal serve as a window into the fragility of the human soul. Insecurities of the self, a desire to change- there is a yearning for spiritual cleansing within this album. Confessions of failure, proclamations of self-doubt, but yet there is this undeniable presence of optimism that shines on whatever subject the lyrics take us into. It's like we're hearing a sad story, yet we get the feeling that it climaxes with a happy ending. The album begins with
"Tension & Thrill", it's composition is slightly reminiscent of the more Rock-oriented sound of their previous album, Ghosts. The music contains prominent Baroque decorations that are also present throughout the album. The guitars do have their aggressive moments within this song, but there is a restrain that keeps them from disturbing the delicate atmosphere.
This album is very gentle in nature, producing a calming atmosphere.
"Careful Hands" and
"Quicksand" present themselves as piano driven ballads, though they do produce more elevated eruptions whenever Ryan O'Neal's vocal deliveries become more passionate. That is perhaps one of Sleeping At Last's most rewarding qualities, the deliveries of it's frontman. The lyrics are filled with such genuine emotion, and though the music is beautifully orchestrated, the instrumental elements of the album are really composed as decorations to whatever subject Ryan O'Neal discusses. There is a presence of Christian ideology within the lyrics, but it's not easily perceptual. Instead of having a more Gospel approach, the messages are arranged in a metaphorical manner that better translates to anyone, speaking more about human nature than religious doctrine.
Keep No Score proves to contain a more experimental agenda than Sleeping At Last's previous efforts. Though there are tracks like
"Envelopes", that reflect the Alternative Rock formula of their past albums, we see Sleeping Last embracing a variety of genres within Keep No Score.
"Hold Still" and
"Dreamlife", though they contain a delicate ambience, we see the band incorporating slight touches of Psychedelia that have us descending into an ethereal haven of musicianship. Sleeping At Last have truly outdone themselves within this release, displaying a higher of level of artistry than the average musical act. The softer touch of this album may disappoint fans of the more agressive sound of their past albums, but there is a higher purpose within this effort. We see this band touching a creative potential within this album that belittles it's predecessors. There is a sophistication within the music of Keep No Score that will be sure to impress anyone who lends it their attention.
