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The Sleeping

Questions and Answers (2006)
Victory Records

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Contributed by: Anchors
(others by this writer | submit your own)

Published on September 26th 2006

Oh boy, what happened?

There’s nothing wrong with members of a now defunct band venturing into different musical territory, exploring new themes, sounds, and ideas. In fact, I support that type of drive and behavior fully. It’s a much more favorable act than being stuck in a rut for the duration of a career. However, as with anything, exceptions exist, and the Sleeping -- they are that exception.

Rising from the ashes of `90s metalcore giants Skycamefalling, guitarist Cameron Keym and bassist Sal Mignano have decided their direction in four simple words: “less core, more bore.” I couldn’t think of a more suiting way to look at the Sleeping. Adding drummer Joe Zizzo and singer Doug Robinson, the band began writing together in late 2003 and released their debut Believe What We Tell You in 2004, with their recent Questions and Answers showing the unfortunate truth: that Keym and Mignano are a shell of what they used to be.

Contrary to what the wizards on the Victory Records press team would lead you to believe, there is nothing ‘dynamic,’ ‘innovative,’ or ‘original’ about this band. No, I’m sorry to report, these are the same old tunes that so many “nü-emo” bands have been writing now for years. Aside from singer Doug Robinson having a fairly mellow, and fairly solid vocal delivery, there’s nothing else to hold these songs together. It’s just a recurring feeling that if the band had gone with the more reserved sounds of songs like “King of Hearts” all the way through, they’d have a better product to show for it. Instead, many of the tracks feature riffs or screams that either don’t fit the mood, or don’t fit the rhythm, and because of it the flow of the entire album is slowed, if not halted completely.

Following “King of Hearts” is “3 Cigarettes,” a song that proves that point to a 'T.' When the band attempts to attain that more hard-edged sound, it feels forced, it feels contrived, and almost completely unnatural. The chords have some bite, but the ‘strain’ on the vocals is painful, and there’s little or no direction to be found; instead, the band opts to repeat themselves ad nauseum throughout the course of what’s only a three-minute song. Clichéd lyrics and unoriginal themes don’t do much to help matters, and one may feel the inclination that they’re trying too hard to replicate the ‘wit’ found on Taking Back Sunday’s Tell All Your Friends. It’s not quite a copy, but many of the lines and ways that those lines are implemented sound straight out of “Cute without the 'E'.”

As a rather large fan of Skycamefalling, it hurts to see what this band has become. It hurts to see members of a band so full of passion and intensity relegate themselves to something that I’m sure they all know damn well is a capitalization on a trend gone bad. Had even they tinkered some more, mellowed out the sound, and gone with what felt right, the things I’ve said in this review would not have needed to be said at all.

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coldwaffles (August 5, 2007)

person below is a victory intern

Anonymous (October 7, 2006)

I don't know how much musical experience this writer has, but judging by the review he made of The Sleeping, I am inclined too think that he has none. Because if he did, maybe he'd realize what a big mistake he made. As a songwriter for many many musicians, I took the time to listen very closely to this album. This album has got to be one of the best there is out there. The depth and feeling of the music, lyrics, and the voice leaves me with a feeling of so many mixed emotions as the songs touches all bases of life. In searching their web-site, I have seen so much they have accomplished in their short time as a group. I mean Madden, Tony Hawk, and even being on the soundtrack for "Crank" the movie. One does not get picked to be on these if they have no talent. It seems to me the writer has his mindset on only one type of music....ONLY HIS TYPE!! So before you start writing bad reviews about ANY band, I suggest you do some research first and really listen to the music and the words before you pass judgement....

Anonymous (September 29, 2006)

This album is definetly a grower. I think Believe What We Tell You was definetly more visceral, and was an album you could enjoy after one listen, but after a good week of this album, I definetly think it's worth checking out. They might be generic, but they still do it well.

Anonymous (September 28, 2006)

skycamefalling was so good. 10.21 is better than Opposite of December.

You're wrong. Not just a bit wrong, but very wrong.

sirens (September 28, 2006)

skycamefalling was so good. 10.21 is better than Opposite of December.

PackageTheif (September 27, 2006)

Oh, and....."If this is victory I'd rather listen to defeat tonight......am I right?"

Sick burn.

PackageTheif (September 27, 2006)

I had to sit through this band to see The Loved Ones. I was pretty unhappy.

DiscoFucker (September 27, 2006)

"very... yes, very boring... I really liked victory, but I think, comeback kid was the only good release in the past few years.... said story, this victory records"

With Honor.

Anonymous (September 27, 2006)

shitty review. this band is really amazing. Live so fucking good!

Anonymous (September 27, 2006)

very... yes, very boring... I really liked victory, but I think, comeback kid was the only good release in the past few years.... said story, this victory records

Anonymous (September 26, 2006)

They're awesome live. And this disc definitely grows on ya

wyefa (September 26, 2006)

It isn't as bad as he makes it out to be. I rather liked their first album, but this one has definitely let me down. Some of the songs are just not really good while some others are excellent (in my opinion). Overall, the album is still decent since there are more songs that I like rather than dislike. I'd give it a five out of ten and not a three out of ten. It isn't horrible, but it just isn't good enough to be considered good.

Anonymous (September 26, 2006)

they were the live band for The cartoon network's "Fridays" show were they play billy and mandy and such

Anonymous (September 26, 2006)

joe was in skycamefalling too. the only one who wasnt was the singer. just fyi

crazytoledo (September 26, 2006)

I got a 'Rise Against' vocal vibe on some of the songs.

I think I like two songs.

But yea, this is generic, and this is boring.