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Review: 'TOM THE LION'
'Sleep'   

-  Label: 'Decca'
-  Genre: 'Rock' -  Release Date: '11th August 2014'

Our Rating:
According to Rough Trade this is the underground buzz of the century. His first release sold out with no critical or media attention and now comes the debut album proper. It’s been out all year, what you don’t have it yet? And now comes the age old question, does it live up to the hype? They always tell you to put your best song first but if you like to listen to an album in its entirety might you not end up feeling just a teensy bit let down?

That depends on what comes after Sleep and it is not until Beholden that we get back into major sync (as in adverts and Skins) territory. After those two tracks it is the final two Heal and Come To Life that I like the best. Perhaps he should have stuck to EPs for a while longer? Having said that, if it’s the indie pop sound of the day with a touch of The Voice that floats your boat, this will be pleasing to your ears.

My problem with this album is if it is the future (it does not claim to be) then why does it feel like the recent past? Dying embers, as opposed to phoenix flames. It’s got that eighties pop vibe which has been going on for like way too long. Hey what’s wrong with the nineties man, what did they ever do to you? Too eclectic for you or what? Not enough shit synth and reverbed guitar?

He can sing and he has some interesting phrasings but a lot of this album sounds a bit samey, particularly from a rhythm and drum point of view. I also think the production could be a bit more lively, even though he has clearly done an excellent job.
Maybe it is suffering from over computerisation? Maybe it needs more time on the songs and less on the production? For one guy to have done all this more or less on his own is impressive but to compare him to Nick Drake and Mark Hollis is unfair.

Next time around he could do with some label backing in the studio i.e. musicians, engineers, producer. Either that or he needs to make a huge step up himself, or jump into the abyss of free jazz.       
  author: Leo Newbiggin

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TOM THE LION - Sleep