Now Sleepyhead - Nocturne

Now Sleepyhead
Nocturne
Exotic Fever/Pop Faction
Grade: A-

When Now Sleepyhead’s album Nocturne opens with soft male and female vocals using an entrancing cadence on “Eternal Damnation,” you expect something magical is about to flow forth. But, when the atmospheric rock courses through “Eternal Damnation” a minute in and the song soars, you piss your pants, sit up, and take notice of a band worth your time – a rarity these days. There is slippage on follower “Who the Fuck,” a rambling acoustic number, before the ship is righted with “Pro Deo.” “Pro Deo” begins with more atmospheric riffing and simply piano as the band unfolds into the core of the song. The rest of dark imagery of Nocturne moves like this – enticing numbers and fillers – and those of the former include “Ghost World Part Two,” the slow “Use Your Bicycle as an Antenna,” and the most instrumental “Byrd Park.” We would all appreciate having Now Sleepyhead around for awhile.