Sleeping Star
| Sleeping Star | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1994 | |||
| Recorded | May 1993 and January 1994 | |||
| Studio | Chiswick Reach, London; Wake the Dead | |||
| Label | Bar/None[1] | |||
| Producer | Epic Soundtracks | |||
| Epic Soundtracks chronology | ||||
| ||||
Sleeping Star is the second album by the English musician Epic Soundtracks, released in 1994.[2][3]
Soundtracks supported the album by touring with Evan Dando.[4][5]
Production
[edit]Sleeping Star was produced by Soundtracks, who had long wanted to move from the noisy rock of his previous bands to a more classical pop sound.[6] Luke Haines contributed to the album, as did Kim Gordon, J Mascis, Will Pepper, and Henry Olsen.[7][8][9]
Critical reception
[edit]| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [10] |
| Calgary Herald | A−[11] |
| The Encyclopedia of Popular Music | [8] |
| Entertainment Weekly | B+[12] |
| MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide | [13] |
Trouser Press wrote that the album "often approximates the warm, jamming feel of a vintage Band record—an impressive feat when you consider how much of the project is essentially solo."[14] Entertainment Weekly thought that Soundtracks "continues to stake out a territory where Brian Wilson, Laura Nyro, Brill Building pop, and Hunky Dory-era David Bowie converge."[12] The Calgary Herald deemed the album "an unassuming gem," writing that "Soundtracks' songs wear hope, sadness and longing in many colors."[11]
The Washington Post determined that "Waiting for the Train" "gets awkwardly overwrought, but the album's most effective tunes employ a slow-burn style that rewards repeated listenings."[15] Stereo Review advised: "Think a less sodden Alex Chilton, or a post-modern version of Bread, and you've got it."[16] The Boston Globe praised the "gorgeous pop feel and emotional tug" of the songs.[17]
AllMusic wrote that "'Emily May' has a rolling piano line and up-tempo rhythm that makes it the highlight of the disc."[10]
Track listing
[edit]All tracks are written by Epic Soundtracks
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Something New Under the Sun" | |
| 2. | "There's Been a Change" | |
| 3. | "Don't Go to School" | |
| 4. | "Tonight's the Night (Rock'n'Roll Lullabye)" | |
| 5. | "Waiting for the Train" | |
| 6. | "Emily May (You Make Me Feel So Fine)" | |
| 7. | "Baby I Love You" | |
| 8. | "Hear the Whistle Blow" | |
| 9. | "There's a Rumour" | |
| 10. | "Tired Eyes" | |
| 11. | "I'll Sing a Hymn" | |
| 12. | "I Believe" |
Personnel
[edit]- Epic Soundtracks - acoustic and electric guitar, bass, drums, piano, organ, lead and backing vocals
- Will Pepper - bass; guitar on "Emily Man (You Make Me Feel So Fine)"
- Harry Georgeson - middle 8 guitar solo on "Something New Under the Sun", guitar on "I Believe"
- Anthony Thistlethwaite - saxophone on "There's Been a Change" and "Waiting for the Train"
- Julia Palmer - cello on "Hear the Whistle Blow" and "I'll Sing a Hymn"
- Anne Ahem - violin on "Hear The Whistle Blow" and "I'll Sing a Hymn"
- Asyam Kael - backing vocals
- Claudio Pinto - hand claps on "Emily Man (You Make Me Feel So Fine)"
- Henry Olsen - string arrangements
References
[edit]- ^ "Epic Soundtracks". Perfect Sound Forever. Archived from the original on 2021-10-22. Retrieved 2022-04-04.
- ^ Sarig, Roni (Jan 1995). "Sound advice — Sleeping Star by Epic Soundtracks". Interview. Vol. 25, no. 1. p. 45.
- ^ "Epic Soundtracks Found Dead". Rolling Stone. November 25, 1997. Archived from the original on April 4, 2022. Retrieved April 4, 2022.
- ^ "Rock Experimentalist Epic Soundtracks Dead at 37". MTV News. Archived from the original on 2022-04-04. Retrieved 2022-04-04.
- ^ Blardinelli, Jill (December 8, 1994). "What Women Want". Chicago Reader. Archived from the original on April 4, 2022. Retrieved April 4, 2022.
- ^ Sprague, David (Oct 29, 1994). "Bar/None seeks wider appeal for Epic Soundtracks". Billboard. Vol. 106, no. 44. p. 15.
- ^ "Luke Haines". Record Collector. Archived from the original on 2021-10-30. Retrieved 2022-04-04.
- ^ a b Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 3. MUZE. p. 299.
- ^ Bream, Jon (November 20, 1994). "Lemonhead Dando and pal play Uptown". Star Tribune. p. 6F.
- ^ a b "Sleeping Star". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 2022-04-04. Retrieved 2022-04-04.
- ^ a b Buckingham, Brooker (5 Feb 1995). "Recent Releases". Calgary Herald. p. B10.
- ^ a b "Sleeping Star". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on 2022-04-04. Retrieved 2022-04-04.
- ^ MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 1999. pp. 1057–1058.
- ^ "Epic Soundtracks". Trouser Press. Archived from the original on 5 March 2022. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
- ^ "An Epic Move: Punk to Crooner". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 16 August 2023. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
- ^ Simels, Steve (Apr 1995). "Quick fixes — Sleeping Star by Epic Soundtracks". Stereo Review. Vol. 60, no. 4. p. 92.
- ^ Sullivan, Jim (10 Nov 1994). "Evan and Epic". Calendar. The Boston Globe. p. 25.
