Artist: The Sleeping
Album: Questions and Answers
Label: Victory Records
Tracks: 12
Length: 53:13
Review by: John Durkee

The Sleeping started in 2003 in the very same scene as Taking Back Sunday, Brand New and Straylight Run. Surprisingly enough, The Sleeping doesn’t really sound like any of those bands. Sure, they have elements of modern pop emo rock (or whatever you want to call it), but in general they set themselves apart with a more eclectic approach. Questions and Answers is in many respects, almost a prog album. That is, it contains many different style changes throughout the songs ranging from emotive rock, to waltz time signatures, danceable moments and even a breakdown here and there (definitely more held back than a real hardcore or metal band, but that edge isn’t needed on this record). While the time signature and genre changes are there, the noodling guitar solos are mostly missing, making this record more prog influenced (and thankfully The Sleeping avoid odd atmospheric noise or other oddities that some prog bands are in love with).

The record opens with "Don't Hold Back" which is pretty much the best track on the record. It is perfectly indicative of the whole record, and if you really want to know if you’ll like this band, simply listen to this one track. Like all of the tracks on the record it is full of riffage that changes directions but usually comes back to the main chorus to drive the song home. The lyrics on the record are a bit run of the mill, but are never really bad, and with all of the different musical changes don't seem to be the focus of the record anyway.

Vocally The Sleeping leave a little to be desired. While a song or two of Doug Robinson's voice is ok, it tends to drain on the ears and get a bit annoying. His vocals seem a bit strained at many times and about the only comparison I could make would be if the guy from He Is Legend didn’t have anywhere near as much range or control with his pipes and rarely screamed.

The ultimate highlight of this record though, is the bass lines. Throughout the record possibly boring elements are given life by creative bass playing that even ventures on danceable moments (without sounding too trendy).

The Sleeping aren’t ground breaking in their approach to music, but maintain a sound and style that they own. I believe that this band could make some truly great music, but for now their just on the verge. This is likely for fans of a toned down version of He Is Legend, Jonzetta and Taking Back Sunday. In general this is one of the better Victory records I’ve heard in a while.