SLEEPING IN TRAFFIC - PART ONE

This band seems to get better with each release. "The Sane Day" was quite good with some great ideas but being a double album I felt it wasn't consistantly good.This album is part one of a two part concept dealing with life. Part One deals with the daylight hours and Part Two with the night. I've already heard and reviewed "Sleeping In Traffic : Part Two" and feel it's their crowning achievement so far.This one is a solid 4 star album and they really deliver the goods even better than they did on previous double album.They thank QOPH, HAMSTER THEATER, UZVA and VIOLENT SILENCE in the liner notes.

"...On The Verge Of Sanity" is a short accordion intro before "Sunrise" comes barging in with some great organ runs. It settles with vocals 1 1/2 minutes in. What a fantastic singer this guy is. Kicks back in 3 1/2 minutes in with some ripping organ. Nice piano after 4 minutes before the organ returns 5 minutes in lighting it up. Passionate vocals before 7 minutes. What a way to start ! "Afternoon Conversation" features intricate guitar melodies and some thoughtful lyrics. "You Never Know" has this incredible "in your face" intro before it settles somewhat before a minute.The guitar lights it up beautifully and vocals follow. What a great song ! Nice bass after 5 minutes too. "Roulette" has this heavy beat as synths then organ join in. A calm with piano then vocals follows. Drums and bass after 2 1/2 minutes and a fuller sound a minute later. Great sound 5 1/2 minutes in, check out the organ ! Settles again before more organ after 8 minutes. Accordion comes in late.

"Dark Poet" sounds so good with those vocals accompanied with piano. "Harmony" is like heaven to start with. It ends up with this blues flavour (LED ZEPPELIN-like sound)) and I like the organ after 3 minutes, and the guitar that follows. A wall of sound after 7 minutes. Amazing tune. "The Ungodly Slob" is a fun song that seems to change styles about every minute. Very proggy in that way. "Year Of The Knife" has this nice guitar / bass intro as it then gets kind of funky. The soundscape that follows reminds me of Zappa. Nice organ in this one. Some great guitar 4 1/2 minutes in and strings after 6 minutes. "Without You" is a good tune with vocals and acoustic guitar. "Same Old Song" is relaxing to begin with. Piano and bass after 2 minutes. It kicks in at 5 minutes with passionate vocals.Incredible sound !

A very good release and one I can recommend heartily. It's well worth getting both Part One and Part Two.