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SLEEPMAKESWAVES

Post Rock/Math rock • Australia


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Sleepmakeswaves biography
Founded in Sydney, Australia in 2006

SLEEPMAKESWAVES is a post rock band from Australia formed in 2006 by Kid (guitars), Tom (guitars), Alex (bass, programming) and Will (drums). In 2007 the band released their self titled EP through the net label Lost Children. It went on to received acclaim by fans of the genre even though that the EP only had two songs. In March, 2008 the band released their second EP entitled "In Today Already Walks Tomorrow" for download and through Utopia Records.

The band has shared the stage alongside post rock/post metal acts like Pelican, Laura and Meniscus. Amongst their influences we can find Mogwai, Isis, Sigur Rós, Explosions in the Sky, Mono, Boards of Canada, 65daysofstatic and Agalloch.

- Sebastian Maldonado (burritounit) -

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SLEEPMAKESWAVES discography


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SLEEPMAKESWAVES top albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

3.92 | 27 ratings
...And So We Destroyed Everything
2011
3.24 | 15 ratings
Love of Cartography
2014
3.77 | 13 ratings
Made of Breath Only
2017

SLEEPMAKESWAVES Live Albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

4.00 | 1 ratings
Live at The Metro
2021

SLEEPMAKESWAVES Videos (DVD, Blu-ray, VHS etc)

SLEEPMAKESWAVES Boxset & Compilations (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

3.79 | 5 ratings
sleepmakeswaves (US)
2012

SLEEPMAKESWAVES Official Singles, EPs, Fan Club & Promo (CD, EP/LP, MC, Digital Media Download)

3.07 | 5 ratings
Sleepmakeswaves
2007
3.16 | 11 ratings
In Today Already Walks Tomorrow
2008
4.00 | 3 ratings
Sleepmakeswaves / Tangled Thoughts Of Leaving
2009
5.00 | 1 ratings
The Obstacle is the Path
2010
5.00 | 1 ratings
...And Then They Remixed Everything...
2013
4.00 | 1 ratings
Cog/Sleepmakeswaves - Distant Lands Tour Split Release
2019
4.00 | 1 ratings
Out of Hours
2020
4.50 | 2 ratings
Not an Exit
2020
4.00 | 1 ratings
No Safe Place
2020

SLEEPMAKESWAVES Reviews


Showing last 10 reviews only
 sleepmakeswaves (US) by SLEEPMAKESWAVES album cover Boxset/Compilation, 2012
3.79 | 5 ratings

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sleepmakeswaves (US)
Sleepmakeswaves Post Rock/Math rock

Review by TCat
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator / Retired Admin

4 stars '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.

 ...And So We Destroyed Everything by SLEEPMAKESWAVES album cover Studio Album, 2011
3.92 | 27 ratings

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...And So We Destroyed Everything
Sleepmakeswaves Post Rock/Math rock

Review by Mellotron Storm
Prog Reviewer

3 stars SLEEPMAKESWAVES are a Post-Rock band out of Australia and this is their first full length album released in 2011. A four piece of two guitarists, a bass player/programmer and drummer. We do get some guest trumpet on one track and violin on another. This is melodic and clear sounding and it's a little different than some Post-Rock with the way the outbursts come suddenly instead of slowly building. I'm not into a lot of the programmed sounds though, especially the percussion that sounds like a drum machine. The album sort of tails off quickly for me with those last three songs as well. Still I enjoyed this quite a bit being as I've been on a Post-Rock binge of late.

"To You They Are Birds, To Me They Are Voices In The Forest" is my favourite but even the way this ends with what is supposed to be a bird slowly chirping from programming sounds cheap(haha). This kicks in hard 30 seconds in surprisingly as a catchy beat and in your face guitars hits us. It calms right back down though a minute later. It starts to build after 2 minutes with guitars and drums then settles again after 3 minutes. It suddenly kicks in hard though rather quickly.

"In Limbs And Joints" has a catchy guitar melody as the other guitar and more come and go. Drums before a minute. A pleasant but rich sound here then it turns pretty heavy after 3 minutes. "Our Time Is Short But Your Watch Is Slow" is slow moving as well with atmosphere before it builds some with percussion-like sounds I don't like and more. It ends like it began. "A Gaze Blank And Pitiless As The Sun" has spoken words and atmosphere to start. Those words end before a minute as the guitar comes in then more as it builds. It's much fuller at 2 1/2 minutes. Nice. A calm after 3 minutes then it explodes around 3 1/2 minutes. A sudden calm before 6 minutes with sparse guitar then trumpet and a beat join in.

"(Hello) Cloud Mountain" is mellow early on but it turns fuller a minute in as the tempo picks up too. Catchy as well then it kicks in pretty hard at 2 minutes. It settles right back before 3 minutes. Not bad. The next two songs don't do a lot for me. "Now We Rise And We Are Everywhere" opens with voices and chime-like sounds and more as it builds. It settles back around 2 minutes as a beat then arrives. Guitar only 3 minutes in then it builds again.

 Love of Cartography by SLEEPMAKESWAVES album cover Studio Album, 2014
3.24 | 15 ratings

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Love of Cartography
Sleepmakeswaves Post Rock/Math rock

Review by BrufordFreak
Collaborator Honorary Collaborator

3 stars I've been listening to this one for a while. I've been having trouble pinpointing just what it is that makes me like this album less than their previous release, 2011's ...and so we destroyed everything, which I love. I think I've finally got it. Most of the sounds and weaves used in the songs of Love of Cartography are far simpler, far more melody-oriented and less filled with the subtle keyboard- and computer-generated "layers" beneath and between the main chords and melodies. The songs on Love of Cartography fall too easily into the bin of "Post Rock for the masses", whereas those of ...and so we destroyed everything each possessed so many delightfully unexpected twists and turns to keep me fully engaged throughout. The band's intimate and idiosyncratic touch to each song of ...and so we destroyed everything was so magical and so interesting that I feel that I could practically feel the joy and enthusiasm these guys were having in the recording and mixing rooms while making that album. I do not feel the same transferral of energy here. As a matter of fact, I feel myself 'tuning out' at some point during almost every song of Love of Cartography. The guitar chords are strummed more aggressively, played with more distortion, and recorded more loudly, and they feel more rehearsed and more methodical, less free-wheeling and spontaneous. Also, what were subtly layered beneath and within the mix before are now right up front and in your face. I can still feel emotion--especially in the solos, but everything else feels so . . . 'by the book.' Are the band members focusing more on composition and the mental side of their music--trying to produce a "perfect, polished" album? Is this just an example of the dreaded "sophomore slump" or is this the more mature band exhibiting the "true" direction that they'd like their music to take? Don't get me wrong, this is a collection of fine song. They are incredibly well produced, but they come straight at you more in the vein of a band like MASERATI than that of a synth-generated GYBE as their previous album had exhibited (at least, potentially). While ...and so we destroyed everything felt new and fresh--like a new great hope for the potentially for growth and 'progress' within the Post Rock subgenre, Love of Cartography feels like good ole Post Rock. Nice stuff for Post Rock enthusiasts. Nothing very new or exciting for the rest of the world.

Favorite songs: the gentle trip-hoppy-turns-rock anthem 10. "Your Time Will Come Again" (8:56); the gorgeous yet simple melodies of 9. "Something Like Avalanches" (5:30); the PINK FLOYD- and MASERATI-influenced 4. "Emergent" (8:28); the straight on power of 2. "Traced in Constellations" (4:37), and; 5. "Great Northern" (4:58). 3.5 star effort rounded down for disappointment factor.

 ...And So We Destroyed Everything by SLEEPMAKESWAVES album cover Studio Album, 2011
3.92 | 27 ratings

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...And So We Destroyed Everything
Sleepmakeswaves Post Rock/Math rock

Review by hamo1689

4 stars An extremely well written album by Sydney siders Sleepmakeswaves. Unlike contemporaries such as Explosions In The Sky and Mogwai, Sleepmakeswaves add a sense of pace and dynamics to their music making it feel like more of a musical roller coaster than what the other said artists which contain less energy and pace. Stand out tracks for me are, to you they are birds, to me they are voices in the forest and our time is short but your watch is slow/a gaze blank and pitiless as the sun. A very solid collection of tracks and I will be looking forward to their next release.
 ...And So We Destroyed Everything by SLEEPMAKESWAVES album cover Studio Album, 2011
3.92 | 27 ratings

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...And So We Destroyed Everything
Sleepmakeswaves Post Rock/Math rock

Review by bonestorm

4 stars sleepmakeswaves' debut full length album has certainly gained a great number of positive responses from both the online community and the Australian public. A popular live act, they have toured with the likes of Karnivool, earned a spot as feature artist on Triple J and also gained a 2012 ARIA nomination for this very album.

There's nothing terribly new that the band brings to the post rock genre, but what they do, they do very well. This is great music for having on in the background, or to relax to late at night. It's unobtrusive for the most part, as good post rock should be. By the same token, it's not totally engaging either. I find it difficult to immerse myself within the music, rather it just slips by without too much effect, and so in that regard I really need to be in the right mood to listen to it.

I'll single out track 4 "A gaze blank and pitiless as the sun" for special mention. Clocking in at around 11 minutes it is one of the longest on the album. It begins with some muted guitar strumming and builds nicely, until at 3:30 it explodes with some of the most energetic moments of the album. Here the music is almost transcendent, with power chords merging with trilling guitar, synths and percussion in perfect harmony.

Production especially is top notch. Each of the instruments occupy their own space and there's plenty of room for the music to breathe. At no point does it sound over compressed or too busy, a perfect balance for this kind of music.

Another highlight is the drumming of William Smith, who has sadly now left the band, but provides some amazing texture to the soundscape of this album.

Overall the band is one of the best post rock acts around and worthy of a listen for fans of the genre.

 In Today Already Walks Tomorrow by SLEEPMAKESWAVES album cover Singles/EPs/Fan Club/Promo, 2008
3.16 | 11 ratings

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In Today Already Walks Tomorrow
Sleepmakeswaves Post Rock/Math rock

Review by memowakeman
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator

3 stars A great EP!

The strange thing here in this EP, entitled "In Today Already Walks Tomorrow" is its 37- minute length, so it could have been released as a studio, full-length album actually. I ignore the reasons, but anyway that does not really matter. I have been attracted by Sleepmakeswaves lately, listening to their 2011 release, and downloading some free- releases via Lost Children's site, and now I can say I really like their music.

If you like post-rock with great and beautiful atmospheres, this may be for you. So this release with six songs starts with "I Will Write Peace on Your Wings and You Will Fly Over the World", we know some of these post-rock acts use to have long and peculiar titles. The song starts with guitars and drums, later bass joins and together begins to build up the structure, with a dark atmosphere at first, and then a rockier and crazier one. A couple of minutes later it slows down and produces that calm, even relaxing sound post-rock use to offer. Then it is slowly progressing, adding new elements until the sound is louder and more emotional.

"Exits to Nowhere" is the shortest track, and probably the lightest. Though it is nice, it does not have anything new to add to the genre, I mean, here we are listening to Mono or Explosions in the Sky, with a different name. This song leads to "One Day You Will Teach Me to Let Go of My Fears" has a spacey atmosphere created by synths, while drums, bass and guitars make their work. Honestly I cannot help but remembering Pink Floyd's "One of These Days", and I am pretty sure that Sleepmakeswaves are aware of it, at least for the first minute and a half. Later the song becomes heavier and drastically changes, creating that convergence between heavy and soft guitars that makes the so evident post-rock sound. And it progresses and every quarter new elements are being added, if you listen carefully, you will find a cool diversity of sounds. After five minutes the intensity decreases, everything slows down and it fades out.

"So That Children Will Always Shout Her Name" starts with mellow guitars that produce a peaceful sound, the bass lines are also noticeable (during the whole record, actually), and later drums and some electronic elements appear very softly. As one can imagine, the song's emotions increase later, involving us in its charm and atmosphere. After three minutes until the end, the music is wonderful, taking us into their realm, so one can close the eyes, see different things and experiment with our emotions. "It's Dark, It's Cold, It's Winter" is another shorter song, with a calm and passive sound produced mainly by guitars, and some electronic samples as background.

The last song is also the longest one. "What We Cannot Speak of Must Be Passed Ever in Silence" has eight minutes of very good post-rock in its better-known face. This track offers soft and slow progressions, calm guitars that little by little are producing more musical and emotional elements. Thought there are no dramatic changes, there are some moments in which its intensity increases, creating a heavier and disarming sound. Its structure is very well-crafted, though I have to admit I have the feeling it could have been better exploited.

This is a nice EP from Sleepmakeswaves, here we can truly listen to their style, though it is not their best work for sure. My final grade will be three stars.

Happy New Year!

Enjoy it!

 Sleepmakeswaves by SLEEPMAKESWAVES album cover Singles/EPs/Fan Club/Promo, 2007
3.07 | 5 ratings

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Sleepmakeswaves
Sleepmakeswaves Post Rock/Math rock

Review by memowakeman
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator

2 stars Two good tracks!

I could listen to their 2011 studio album via progstreaming, and was positively impressed, I liked it a lot. So then I was looking for some info or other releases of Sleepmakeswaves, and found that their first two-song EP as free to download through Lost Children's website. So of course, I did not lose time.

This self-titled release consists only of two songs that together make almost twelve minutes of music. So if you want a slice of their music, go and take it too. For those who don't know them, they are a post-rock band with inherent power and emotional moments, worthy for the genre's fans.

"One Day You Will Teach Me to Let Go of My Fears" has an spacey atmosphere created by synths, while drums, bass and guitars make their work. Honestly I cannot help but remembering Pink Floyd's "One of These Days", and I am pretty sure that Sleepmakeswaves are aware of it, at least for the first minute and a half. Later the song becomes heavier and drastically changes, creating that convergence between heavy and soft guitars that makes the so evident post-rock sound. And it progresses and every quarter new elements are being added, if you listen carefully, you will find a cool diversity of sounds. After five minutes the intensity decreases, everything slows down and it fades out.

"By Moving the Stars I Have Found Where You were Hiding" starts with a different sound. It starts with drums and soft and repetitive guitars. Later after a minute the heavier side appears and turns the song into a new one, much more emotional and powerful. Then it slows down, and later it increases once again, so the structure is repeated. And it finishes with its calmest side.

Here we just have a taste of their music, nothing more. Better to listen to their full-length album which by the way is very recommendable. This time, two stars.

Enjoy it!

 ...And So We Destroyed Everything by SLEEPMAKESWAVES album cover Studio Album, 2011
3.92 | 27 ratings

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...And So We Destroyed Everything
Sleepmakeswaves Post Rock/Math rock

Review by BrufordFreak
Collaborator Honorary Collaborator

5 stars A refreshing new collection of Post Rock/Math Rock songs from some very technically talented instrumentalists who are also very creative composers. As said by Braid, there is really nothing terribly new or earth-shatteringly groundbreaking in terms of PR/MR sound or structure, it's just refreshing to here an attempt in this sub-genre by some very competent, creative musicians. The drumming is especially vibrant and unusually (for this sub-genre) varied as played by a very talented Aussie, Will Smith. Also, guitar playing isn't so rote and mathematical as many other PR/MR groups. There is variety, texture, emotion, and skill on display here.

1. "to you they are birds, to me they are voices in the forest" (08:18) begins with an peaceful ambient nature intro before blaring guitars and belted drums burst upon the scene for a about 45 seconds. A lull ensues with U2-like drums and bass before tremolo guitars and pulsating synths join in. Another more delicate glock'n'spiel lull before all sound barriers are broken again. Very cool staccato bass and drum section reminiscent of GENESIS' "Watcher of the Skies." Duel synth and two guitar melodies compete for attention while weaving into a background tapestry within which voice and then rapidly strummed guitar melody bring forward new melodies. Synths, guitar and later violin bring back melodies sans drums or bass to end. A lot of MY BLOODY VALENTINE feel in this one. Awesome song. (18/20)

2. "in limbs and joints" (04:29) begins with an awesome echoing rapidly picked guitar which is then joined by whole group chord bursts (and what an awesome chord it is!) This is not your typical Post/Math rock, folks! There is complex thought and structure behind these songs--chords, layers, and progressions. The song establishes a rather heavy but not so thick that you can't distinguish all of the various instruments and their contributions. (9/10)

3. "our time is short but your watch is slow" (03:10) begins with spacey 'radio-wave' and 'whale' like sounds while TANGERINE DREAM driving synth rhythm emerges slowly to take over the pacing of the song. Midi-ed piano, glock & other background wash synth sounds play a note by note lead while volume-pedaled guitar chords gently guide the melody. Nice song. Not so Post/Math rock. (9/10)

4. "a gaze blank and pitiless as the sun" (11:06) begins with a sampled speech from some post-apocalyptic American film. Guitar and drum rhythms soon establish themselves in much a GOD IS AN ASTRONAUT way and sound. By 2:30 a really rockin' groove has been established involving the whole band but isolating the original guitar in a non-stop ripping solo. A little lull before a new variation at 3:30 establishes itself with a bit more power chord play from guitars, synth voice and deep resonating bass. Incredible drum play. Song morphs a bit, in true Post rock style, before amping up--almost to RIVERSIDE-type levels--the heaviness and decibel levels. 5:55 stop! Sensitive guitar, synth, and echoed drum play begin to slowly re-build. Lead sustained-note guitar lead creeps into the mix around the seven minute mark. Another brief breather at 7:50 before a new chord progression with militarized drums and wild cymbol crashes while layers of trumpets and mellotron voices build up layers around the guitars. Amazing section. All comes to a kind of DEAD CAN DANCE/YES end of "Awaken" gentle end at 9:30 while synth washes and lone trumpet continue on, carrying the song to its peaceful end. (20/20)

5. "(hello) cloud mountain" (03:22) begins with some synthesized sounds in a CHROMA KEY kind of way. Guitar and keyboard arpeggios join in before another pretty basic U2-like bass and drum pattern establish themselves. ICEHOUSE-like synth bell notes take the melody lead for a minute during a little lull before the band kicks it back in again. Definitely more synthetic/electronic usage and sound to this one. (8/10)

6. "now we rise and we are everywhere" (06:42) begins with gentle ambient synths over which recording of children playing on a school playground sound. A fast bouncing Stick-like chord enters, followed by slow volume-pedaled guitar notes. By the two minute mark a trip-hoppy drum and bass rhythm is established. Pause around the three minute mark before fast and slow guitar arpeggios play off one another in opposite channels. At 3:50 an awesomely grooving thick bass and rock drum beat establish themselves beneath the two guitars and synths. At 4:35 the instruments all gel into a full-force Post Rock/Math Rock climax, not unlike MOGWAI or MONO. Fade out back with children playground as in the intro. (9/10)

7. "we like you when you're awkward" (02:36) begins with a sound quite reminiscent of either VANGELIS' Blade Runner soundtrack or a New Age/meditation song. Soon the drips and synths become part of the background as they are joined by computer click'n'pop rhythms and two WILL ACKERMAN-like acoustic guitars picking their arpeggiated rhythms in the opposite channels. Cool song! (9/10)

8. "....and so we destroyed everything" (12:20) begins with a piano chord! The solo piano continues playing very delicately for thirty seconds before any other sound joins it: a bouncy synth in the upper keys slowly emerges. At 1:30 the rest of the band comes CRASHING in, a fast tremolo picked electric guitar taking over the melody established by the piano. At 3:53 heavy guitar chords are introduced and at 4:15 they take over making the song sound quite heavy metal for while. Tremolo-picked guitar returns through the heaviness, all building in crescendo until 5:56 when the bottom drops out and we're left with a keyboard playing a pretty melody in a KLAUS SCHULZE kind of way. Trippy-hop programmed drums and acoustic guitars join in at the 6:33 mark. At 7:17 volumes pick up a bit while live drums return, bass carries forward a very cool melody, and electric guitars are now picked where the acoustic were. Heavy guitar chords and crashing cymbol play join in until at 8:38 the full power chords, tremolo eleoctric guitar lead, and now voices are added to the mix. By 9:26 the voices have left while the band carries forward its heavy yet melodic theme. At 10:00 everything drops away again except for voice, acoustic guitar, background synth wash and the same trip-hoppy drum program from before. All instruments begin to fade out: voice, synth, and, finally, drum program, leaving only a bare guitar playing its arpeggio theme to end. Awesome multi-part, multi-layered song. (25/25)

Check this one out, people--it will NOT bore you with its repetition and predictability (though, in the end, it is still mostly PR/MR structured and, therefore, somewhat predictable. But then again, isn't prog as a whole also somewhat predictable?) Synths/keys, trumpets, strings, varied guitar effects, and even 'vocals' make this an interesting and enjoyable listen--repeatedly, too. Try it out.

Five stars; a minor masterpiece of progressive rock music. Sleepmakeswaves has created an album that is definitely an excellent addition to any prog rock music collection. IMO, this is the Best Post Rock album of 2011 and definitely one that keeps the sub-genre alive and moving forward.

 ...And So We Destroyed Everything by SLEEPMAKESWAVES album cover Studio Album, 2011
3.92 | 27 ratings

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...And So We Destroyed Everything
Sleepmakeswaves Post Rock/Math rock

Review by Braid

4 stars sleepmakeswaves' official debut LP "...and so we destroyed everything" is often confused as the band's sophomore effort. It's easy to see why; their EP "in today already walks tomorrow" clocked in at 37 minutes long with its six tracks, but more than that was a very confident and coherent release constructed with the kind of thoroughness that is not normally expected from an EP, something generally associated more with interesting ideas yet to be fully realized, or even b-sides. While by no means ground-breaking or amazing, it put sleepmakeswaves on the map as a band to watch, and showed definite signs of a promising future.

Here on their debut, that promise begins to be realized in a big way. On a cursory glance, it would be easy to write off the album as just another post-rock record; long track titles, tremolo-laden guitars, build-ups and crescendos...it's all there. But sleepmakeswaves set themselves apart from the crowd with a progressive sensibility and solid sense of song-structure that is sorely lacking from most bands in the genre. This is evident right from the get-go on the anthemic opener "to you they are birds, to me they are voices in the forest." After a short and quiet synth intro, the track bursts to life, assaulting the listener with a beautiful aural display of soaring guitars and booming drums, urging you to pump your fist to the sky. A minute or so later it dissolves, only to begin the journey back up again to another arena-sized crescendo...and then it does it yet again, disappearing into nothing but a faint bassline and galloping snare drum, the latter of which slowly leads the charge uphill towards a magnificent climax that will refuse to exit your brain for days to come, finishing tastefully with a lovely violin coda accompanied by apocalyptic, distorted guitar chords. This pattern of build and release is repeated many times throughout the album (Such as in the 11-minutes-long thunderous centrepiece "a gaze blank and pitiless as the sun," a simply massive entity with an inspired use of horns), and will sound all too familiar for the frequent post-rock listener, but the way it is executed here ensures it never gets tiresome or sounds formulaic, but is instead a natural progression of peaks and valleys within the song structure.

And therein lies perhaps the greatest strength of this album. There's no doubting the quality of the crescendos; indeed, the utmost importance is always placed on musicality, and never do these peaks feel self-indulgent or meaningless instead of powerful. But the real beauty is how the band manages the space in between these highs. The attention to detail here is excellent, with little touches and splashes of colour ensuring that even the slowest moving or quietest of sections are captivating, and never just pure meandering. There is no slogging through a tiresome and monotonous build up to get to the good bit - the entire song is the good bit. Just as much value is placed on the journey as the destination, and the low points are not just breaks to catch your breath before the next high point, but are often as engaging and memorable as the high points themselves.

The band also proves themselves capable of stepping back from the epics and putting together more concise pieces, with three of the eight tracks coming in under 4 minutes. "(hello) cloud mountain" is at once a lovely little tune and bombastic fireworks display, showcasing both the band's ear for melody and their skill at creating crescendos, managing to be a fulfilling and complete experience in a short space of time. An unexpected highlight also emerges in the form of "we like you when you're awkward," a simple yet beautiful ballad-like piece featuring great interplay between a synth, electronic beat and acoustic guitar that is easily one of the most moving moments on the album, as well as being a great example of the band's versatility.

Saving the best for last, though, album closer and title-track "...and so we destroyed everything" affirms that, adaptable though they may be, the leviathans are where the band truly shines. At over 12 minutes it is the band's longest piece to date, and never once does it let go of your attention, progressing in unexpected yet logical ways, putting everything the band has to offer on display. From mournful piano to droning crescendos to spaced out electronics to even metallic riffs recalling the post-metal influence that was prevalent on their EP, the song takes a number of different musical themes and ideas and applies them in different contexts throughout its duration, a change in song-writing style that proves entirely successful. A powerful and beautiful journey, if there is one song you listen to on this album, let it be this one, as it is truly a progressive post-rock masterpiece.

Production-wise the album is for the most part crisp and clear. It brings a certain shine or even "bounciness" to the album, but this is a welcome effect that services the album well. Occasionally the drums seem placed slightly oddly in the mix, bordering on the line of not being suitably audible for the context, but this is a minor complaint. Also of note is the significant electronic influence. Synths, glitches, beats and all sorts are found throughout the album, providing a large amount of detail and adding another layer of variety and complexity to the arrangements. A couple of tracks are even based entirely around these electronic elements, such as "our time is short but your watch it slow" or aforementioned "we like you when you're awkward." While by no means the only band in the genre to incorporate electronics, it definitely gives them an edge to what is often a fairly traditional "post-rock" sound.

Unfortunately, the album isn't all sunshine and flowers. The album's flaws primarily manifest themselves in the second and third tracks. The latter, "our time is short but your watch is slow," is frankly a somewhat dull affair. It's pleasant enough to listen to, but feels as though it's building to something that never comes, instead choosing to lie down with a whimper. It could be argued that it is somewhat of a bridge between tracks, a calm before the storm of "a gaze and blank and pitiless as the sun," but nevertheless more attention could have been paid to the song-writing here, as similar bridging track "we like you when you're awkward" manages to stand up tall on its own despite its similar length and slow nature. Meanwhile, the former piece, "in limbs and joints" is a more traditional rocking track which, although beginning with a nice atmosphere, is ultimately unimpressive. Its sound becomes rather grating as time goes on, and the climax is thoroughly underwhelming and lacking of substance. The album manages to recover from this and its momentum is not severely harmed, but this one-two punch of mediocrity so early on is a definite dent in an album that is otherwise filled with quality.

Ultimately, "...and so we destroyed everything," like its predecessor EP, is not a ground-breaking album. But unlike the EP, it is an amazing one nonetheless. If originality is your primary concern, or if you're not a fan of post-rock to begin with, then this may not be for you. While they undoubtedly put their own spin on things, at the end of the day this is still a somewhat traditional post-rock record. But where it shines is the tightness of the song-writing, the constant focus on melody and progression, the driving rhythmic force, and the sheer power and emotion that bleeds from these songs. Almost every track here is a memorable one that will lodge itself into your brain and refuse to budge. It may not be revolutionary, but I'll be damned if it isn't fantastic.

 Sleepmakeswaves by SLEEPMAKESWAVES album cover Singles/EPs/Fan Club/Promo, 2007
3.07 | 5 ratings

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Sleepmakeswaves
Sleepmakeswaves Post Rock/Math rock

Review by Chris H
Prog Reviewer

4 stars Sleepmakeswaves, at least in this instance, are going to be a prime example of the new decade's less is more theory. It's almost hard to imagine that this is their first release, usually you expect an amateur, kitschy piece that is good for collector value and so forth, yet these guys from down under MEAN BUSINESS! Sure, it's no masterpiece yet, but to come out rockin' at the speed Sleepmakeswaves does takes pure skill and a vision for the future. So yes, I will be in line for their first full-length when it comes out, but enough raving. How long does a rollercoaster ride last? Maybe a minute, maybe 90 seconds? A good album can usually be comapred to a rollercoaster, achieving the same up and down melody effects in a 35 to 55 minute time period, yet Sleepmakeswaves makes their roller coaster of music in barely 12 minutes! This album feels longer, it has enough energy to be longer, it makes you want to play it over and over until 45 minutes have passed by! The greatest measure of an artist's work is when the music has stopped and you say That's the end? I want more.

Certainly no masterpiece, as I said before, but if you need to hunt down the best of the best in debut EP's, Sleepmakeswaves might be an unknown goldstrike. Look for these fellows to tighten up the nuts and bolts and blow the Aussies away with a 5 star debut full-length.

4 stars, so close!

Thanks to burritounit for the artist addition. and to Quinino for the last updates

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