SLEEPMAKESWAVES (US)

'Sleepmakeswaves' is a post rock band from Australia that has become a well-known band internationally because of their expressive post rock style that is similar to Mogwai, Explosions in the Sky and Mono. The band has put out 3 full length albums and several EPs over the years since their formation in 2006.

This album, which is self titled, is not to be confused with their self titled debut EP. This particular album is actually a compilation made to help promote the band in the US and was released in 2012. The tracks are taken from EPs that are not so readily available in the US, and since the band was seeing some success in the states and fans were demanding more music, this short collection was produced to help satisfy the fans demands. It is a great sample of the style of post-rock that they produce, melodic, expressive and very well performed. Most of their music is organic, but there is some programming involved in some of the keyboard-like tones and some of the percussion. The band consists of two guitarists, Jonathan 'Kid' Khor and Tom Binetter, plus Alex Wilson on bass and programming, and William Smith on drums.

This collection starts off with the bright and upbeat 'Keep You Splendid Silent Sun' and the darker and slightly heavier 'We Sing the Body Electric', both of these tracks coming from the split EP with 'Tangled Thoughts of Leaving' from 2009. The first track involves more electronics than the later, which is a bit darker and more organic sounding. 'The Obstacle is the Path' is taken from the single 'The Obstacle is the Path' from 2010. This track is a great example of the melodic and accessible side of the band that also proves they could also add a progressive edge to it all.

'I Will Write Peace on Your Wings, and You Will Fly Over the World' comes from the EP 'In Today Already Walks Tomorrow' from 2008 is an example of the band at their most dynamic, ranging from fast moving heaviness to slower and pensive sections, leaving out the slow builds that normally come with the longer post-rock tracks, but instead turning it a varying style, again utilizing great melodic structure and driving exploration. There are sections in this track that are quite powerful and strong, almost uplifting in its heaviness because of its level of melodic structure and then ending with lovely shimmering guitars. The one drawback on this one is with it's length, there is a section that is a bit repetitive, but its not really that annoying.

'One Day You Will Teach Me To Let Go of My Fears' is one of the two tracks from the band's original debut EP (2007). This one is almost symphonic in feel with orchestral string effects that are surrounded by strong guitar riffs, the music is quite cinematic and not dark like you might expect, finally becoming more pensive in the last half. The final track is 'It's Dark, It's Cold, It's Winter', another track from 'In Today Already Walks Tomorrow'. This one is actually quite a lovely blend of a chiming guitar melody and some electronic percussion. It is quite soft and flows along in an accessible and lovely melodic style with just a slight bit of unease in the background created by a noisy effect.

This is a very good sample of some of the harder to find tracks from the band, and with the dynamic and melodic sound that reflects the more accessible sound of Mogwai, and the dynamics that are used so well in their music should give a novice listener a great idea of their sound. There is an excellent degree of variety here and it covers the range of styles the band has in their discography. It's a little heavy at times, but never really overbearing and even then , the music tends to have this uplifting factor in it that a lot of Post-rock seems to either be missing, or doesn't quite utilize as well as this band can. I would recommend getting this collection if you are curious about their sound as it is a great representation of the band's music. 4 stars. Excellent melodic post rock.