Full of ambient rock, ‘The Sleeping House’ has it’s dark moments but it also has the parts that shine an optimistic point of view. With a slower overall tempo this album should fit many different moods as well as scratching a lot of different itches people may have. Any fans of Copeland, Noise Ratchet, or Thrice’s newer material should check this album out.
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Happy Napping| Posted February 25, 2009
There are times when you listen to an unfamiliar or unpopular album and have no expectations. More often than not a CD lives up to those expectations. But there are times when you get knocked off your horse in awe in the midst of an unknown artist and their spectacular music and lyrics. Although Cool Hand Luke has previously put out four albums, the indie rock band probably doesn’t register very high on the popularity list. Thus their latest album, The Sleeping House, fits perfectly into the latter half of the no expectations category with their outstanding fifth studio effort.
The album starts off with the instrumental “fast asleep” which introduces the next song, “cast your bread”, much better than it begins the album. But when “cast your bread arrives” the artistry of the piano driven alternative rock sticks out right away, which carries well into slightly upbeat chorus and eventually the bridge, which employs an electric guitar to add some diversity (which really isn’t necessary but who are we to complain about the extra spice?). Cool Hand Luke may not fulfill all rock satisfaction but their alterative beats get intense on “buy the truth”; although the song may sound a little too gritty for some before it straightens out near the end. “Falling in love” isn’t a phenomenal alternative rock tune as lead singer Mark Nicks attempts to raise his voice to the level of Jeremy Edwardson of The Myriad and Wes Blaylock of Dais Vail in electric alternative rock chorus that isn’t great. However “The city prevails” is a strong song with its intense, but artistic, ambient rock tune where the piano is used brilliantly, and while “spirit sing” may not have a lot of poise like other alternative bands, it doesn’t lack a solemn haunting tune.
A good portion of The Sleeping House are piano driven which display the best side of Cool Hand Luke. The light rock song, “the mirror”, is a good change of pace considering the previous three tracks and the emotional music sound surrounding the near epic track. “The eye of the storm" starts out a little dry with its fine, but un-complex, instrumental intro but by the time the song ends the ballad is cemented as one of the top songs on the album. Unfortunately some of their softer tracks could have used a little spark like “wonder tour” which has haunt with the melancholy music but could have used a little something extra. The moody and solemn “Incomprehensible Sleep” is an odd song to end the album with (the final track “wide awake” was beautiful but piano driven instrumental) because the sound, which very complex, is has a very alterative sounding melody.
When it comes to song writing and talking about spiritual and Biblical messages there are two prominent styles: one is that God is obviously the center of most every song and the theme is obvious. The other is a more complex, yet vague, way at looking at spiritual matters but avoids coming to grips with a clear confrontation with Jesus Christ in their lyrics. Few bands find a happy medium between the two but Cool Hand Luke’s lyrics are a rare and pleasant exception which captures the struggles of this life while linking them back to God clearly without appearing cheesy. “The eye of the storm” is a very touching song which capturers the pains of loss, God’s faithfulness and the fact that we should make each moment count with people (‘God is good all the time/Even when little girls die’).
Every song is rich with priceless messages about the important of wisdom among the distractions of the city (“the city prevails”), the value of Truth (“buy the truth”), and the longing for God (“the mirror”). Don’t for a second assume that the song writing is simple, but rather Nicks’ song writing is simply well-crafted as “cast your bread”, (among others) offers an artistic but clear view of John 6:35. Taken at face value “wonder tour” is a call to listen to God rather than the world who tries to tell you that you are unloved or money is everything but the story behind the song is a chilling tale about a vile town where the lead singer visited and eventually realized they need salvation to. “Spirit sing” is more complex take on the war between the spirit and the flesh than most other artist’s songs, while “the house” could be a worship song on the radio (‘You made me trust in You/You, O God/I need You’).
The drawbacks of the Sleeping House are all musical—a very rare and positive exception. Minus the instrumental songs, the album is only ten tracks long (although Cool Hand Luke makes the most of every song), a few of their ballads need a little something extra to be completely awesome, and somg of the alternative rock is a little lacking. However overall the music is very satisfying but what are even more satisfying is the outstanding lyrics in every single song which are some of the best that this writer has ever seen. One of the best album of the year, The Sleeping House should end the no expectations of Cool Hand Luke from now on.
BROODING, BRILLIANT PIANO ROCK| Posted November 24, 2008
Lujo Records might be one of the brightest young labels around. And Cool Hand Luke stands as proof positive of that assertion.
The Florida band has been through the ringer enough to provide solid evidence for creating such dark textures and haunting melodies. Membership changes and questions regarding if they would even go on have given way to the band’s surest effort yet on The Sleeping House.
Equally disturbing and beautiful, The Sleeping House rides highs and lows to create a deeply moving, emotional experience. Mark Nicks and Joey Holman work together to perfectly balance and buoy each other, with neither moving too far from the other without making sure everything is in its proper place. Even on slower numbers like “The Mirror,” Nicks reins it in even when it’s his moment to shine.
Tempo changes and inventive song structures mark “The City Prevails” and “Failing in Love,” with the latter being a stunning rock anthem proved by Holman’s best work. “Spirit Sing” evokes Travis comparisons with its easygoing nature, while “Wide Awake” seems the electric, soaring song that Sleeping At Last has yet to create.
The Sleeping House is perfectly sequenced, and producer Matt Goldman’s (Underoath, Copeland) hand brings it all together. –Matt Conner
This review has been reprinted on NRT with permission from CCMMagazine.com. Click here to visit CCMMagazine.com today!
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