Sleepthief – Dawnseeker Review

I’m a fan of bands that most people haven’t had the chance to hear of. These sorts of bands are the types never heard too often on the radio, in spite of just how wonderful they can be. One such band deserves recognition for having some of the most atmospheric songs that I have ever heard in my lifetime. They are Sleepthief, not even a band, but a music project that transcends all musical bounds.

Eleven different vocalists were used in the making of Dawnseeker. They are as follows: Kirsty Kawkshaw, Caroline Lavelle, Harland, Kristy Thirsk, Jody Quine, Kyoko Baertsoen, Nicola Kitchcock, Roberta Carter Harrison, san.drine, Jerry Eckert, and Lauren Edman. Truly experts at their craft, each song is weaved with emotion, meaning, and an unforgettable soundscape to boot.

There are 13 tracks total, all of which will be given a brief review in regards to what I personally like about them. It’s up to the listener however in regards to what they like the best.

Eurydice is the first song, sung by Jody Quine, and what an opener it is! Following the ancient Greek myth of Eurydice, the wife of Orpheus. She’d died from poison, and Orpheus traveled all the way to the Underworld to find her, if only to lose her once again. It’s a memorable, if not saddening song if one recalls the myth that it’s about, and gives the listener a very good idea as to what the next songs will be like.

Desire of Ages, featuring Shelley Harland, is my absolute favorite out of the tracks. It’s absolutely beautiful from start to finish, with powerful vocals and strong sounds to accompany it. This is one of those unforgettable songs that I need to listen to at least once a day for the sake of enjoying it’s spectacular way of making everything so peaceful and awe-inspiring.

You Did a Good Thing is a sad piece that transcends the boundaries of what today’s songs could never manage. Each syllable is voiced with a voice promising to always be there, no matter how time changes everyone and everything. Somehow, though the singer (Nicola Hitchcock) repeats the phrase ‘You did a good thing’, throughout the song, it never once gets old.

Just Say It is the next track on the list, and though not one of my favorites out of the song, it’s also one of those pieces that truly carry a heavy emotional weight. Again, the singer brings about the sound of conflict, of the heartbreak that comes from a Lover who is unable to admit their love but who can’t let go just yet.

The Chauffeur is more modernized than the previous songs seem to be, involving what else but a Chauffeur and his lady. It’s a cover of the popular classic that was originally written by Duran Duran . The music video for the song explains it the best, but it’s a neat way to slowly but surely mold the ancient sounds from the beginning of the cd, to something more relatable but still ethereal.

Tenuous is next, and certainly containing that same beauty that Eurydice had. Both were sung by the ever-talented Jody Quine, who is one of the best singers when it comes to creating almost haunting soundscapes. Even with the sounds going on in the background, it’s the powerful vocals that bring this otherwise peaceful song justice.

Sublunar (Sweet Angel) is yet another track that I’d definitely recommend out of the thirteen here. It is a terribly sad piece that is so moving. From beginning to end, the disheartening tale of lost individual who tries to hide how she broken she really is can bring tears to a person’s eyes. It’s as tender as a lullaby, and one of the most emotional tracks within Dawnseeker.

Nightjar is another emotionally moving piece, the title coming from a bird that’s symbolically well known for it’s failure in life. If you haven’t noticed already, each piece within the album features a different singer (albeit Jody Quine, who has three songs), mixed with atmospheric sounds and melodies to further intensify the overall mood. This one was quite the sad one- but definitely worthy of a listen.

These tracks, though terribly beautiful, have a tendency to be rather sad. Fire from Heaven is no different, though instead of love, like the majority of the songs have been written about, this one speaks of the world we live in. How could we be so forsaken indeed.

The Metro is the very first song that actually got me into listening to the rest of the songs and then buying the cd soon after. It’s definitely got more of a ‘pop’ sound than the rest of them do, with just enough dose of technologic to make it perfect. I won’t be surprised if they make a dance remix of this song, as it definitely carries a lighter note then the rest, while all the while retaining the glory that the previous songs have had.

Kiss to Savor is the final song sung by Jody Quine, and certainly one of the best. Out of the three, this one takes the cake for being my favorite. Jody Quine has come to be one of my favorite singers after listening to this song, that is full of the notion of loving someone, and just how special they are.

Afterthoughts is the second to last song within Dawnseeker, and certainly on a more positive note. One can notice now how the cd had seemed to go from utterly dismal, to something more dreamy, more hopeful, than the others.

Finally, there’s Entre Ciel Et Mer, the finale, sung in french. The English translation titles it as ‘Between Sky and Sea’, and proves to be as powerful as the opening song had been, entailing the search for someone lost. It’s a fantastic way to end the cd, leaving me happy and content at my taste in Albums.

Sleepthief is a project that will hopefully continue making such compelling songs in the years to come. It’s been years since I’ve been so satisfied with a single album, unable to find anything wrong with it except that there should be even more songs for the hungry listener. As it stands, I can only avidly await the next cd to come out, knowing for sure that it’s worth buying. Dawnseeker is the beginning, and the perfect example of music at it’s finest.

Related Links:

http://www.sleepthiefmusic.com/

http://www.musicaldiscoveries.com/reviews/sleepthief.htm