Album Review: The Dreamer and the Sleeper - Autumn In The Evening

I feel sad. Truly and genuinely sad. Since March, I’ve been trying to find the perfect summer band to soundtrack my summer of 09 (I was hoping for Vampire Weekend’s second release to be out in time; it’s unfortunately not). And finally, at the beginning of September and the beginning of the cold seasons, I get sent The Dreamer and the Sleeper’s second album ‘Autumn In The Evening’. My search has come to an end.

From the go, this album sets the mood perfectly. Opening track ‘Across The Water’ welcomes the listener to the calm lapping of waves and is then introduced to both Nick Pappageorgas and Easton Broome as the acoustics and singing introduce the listener to gentle yet a powerful melody. This captivating sound continues throughout the album, but to a quicker succession, such as the hand clapping follow on of ‘These Inevitable Insanities’ and the marching beat of ‘The Civil War’.

The album, in a whole, is incredibly reminiscent of the slower Jimmy Eat World songs, such as 'Dizzy' and 'Your House'. Its creepy how well this comparison fits as lead vocalist Nick swoons his way through the campfire-lullaby-esque setting of ‘Mistakes!’. A quick MySpace search informs me of Jimmy Eat World being one of the bands influences and it clearly shows. At times, I had to keep reminding myself that I wasn’t listening to a better produced version of ‘Clarity’ by the aforementioned influence with the inclusion of Andrew McMahon, of Jack’s Mannequin and Something Corporate fame, helping out in the song writing.

Speaking of similarities to other artists work, like the prodigy offspring of Conor Oberst ( to those who are uninformed, the mastermind behind his alias Bright Eyes), The Dreamer and The Sleeper turn their record up a notch and into more daring territories on track ‘Rules of a Knife Fight’, which is very similar to Oberst’s ‘NYC – Gone, Gone’. The song sounds like it wouldn’t be out of place on a wild western record player, and whereas this change of tempo and style would falter for most other bands (I’m looking at you, AFI), it helps the album to progress forward, continue its steady flow and to advertise their multiple song writing talents, instead of becoming a one-trick pony.

However, it’s when the album reaches its conclusion in the last track, ‘The Beginning and the End’, where Nick and Easton’s lyrics and vocals really take hold of your attention. This track closes the album in emotional triumph. There isn’t a lot else I can comment on about this phenomenal, majestic and mystical album, other than that both Nick and Easton should definitely take great pride and happiness in their work and to continue writing songs with more soul in them than most other albums on the shelves of record stores of today. One to watch out for, keep an eye on and to most definitely take note of.

5/5

'Autumn In The Evening' by The Dreamer and the Sleeper is available now.

The Dreamer and the Sleeper on Myspace

Andy Touch