Sleep Whale

Houseboat
Digipak CD.
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Track List

  1. Green Echo
  2. Cotton Curls
  3. We Were Dripping
  4. Roof Sailing
  5. Summer Sick
  6. Dissolved
  7. Still Drumming
  8. Sleep Reprise
  9. Make Another Picture
  10. Icicles
  11. Ferry Whistle
  12. Light Tunnel
  13. Giant Wings

Since 2006 Sleep Whale (formerly known as Mom) have become a mainstay of the fruitful north Texas music scene. With their first full-length release Houseboat the band solidifies their position as creative leaders and innovators amongst their peers. Much like their first EP Little Brite, the album pairs Joel North’s deft guitar work and fluid cello playing with Bruce Blay’s impeccable ability to weave percussion, field recordings, guitar, bass, and violin into hypnotic and whimsical dreamscapes. However, unlike Little Brite, Houseboat’s songs show how the band has grown, offering more sonically complex and ambitious compositions.
Equally informed by pioneers like Steve Reich, Brian Eno, Can, and Neu!, the band’s sound has grown into a joyful soundtrack for a midnight drive down the freeway with your windows down. Their songs uniquely straddle the line between experimental ambience and accessible psych-folk-pop, all the while leading you through shimmering labyrinths of sound, color, and texture.
The album begins with the toe-tapping “Green Echo,” setting the tone for the optimistic and uplifting song cycle that unfolds. Although tracks like “Roof Sailing” and “Sleep Reprise” veer into the epic cinematic sphere with their soaring strings and driving percussion, Sleep Whale manage to use just enough restraint to avoid the formulaic post-rock pitfalls. Revealing a new facet of their songwriting ability, the album includes several pop songs like “We Were Dripping,” and “Make Another Picture,” both gushing with boyish charm and fanciful imagery.
In 2009 the duo joined forces with musicians Paul North (Sunnybrook) and Spencer Stephenson (Abacus). Both Paul had Spencer contribute to the album, but their primary role has been helping Sleep Whale share their unique expression of life in Texas with live audiences.

Credits

Performers:
Bruce Blay & Joel North with Hunter Johnston, Paul North, Spencer Stephenson & Ashley Rathburn

Recording:
Bruce Blay & Joel North

Mastering:
Carl Saff at Saff Mastering