Sleeping Dogs - Death of a Muse Album Review
By Jove, they’ve done it again.
Three years ago it was my pleasure to cast my discerning ear upon Myth Reducer, the debut from Christchurch based Sleeping Dogs, and it blew my mind. Their sound was big, ballsy and, to quote myself, “Epic” (capitalisation intended).
Luckily, quite unlike Stone Cold Steve Austin, Sleeping Dogs haven’t softened with age. Death of a Muse, tinged with Queen and... uh... Muse-like brilliant, rocks hard and fast from Bitch to Natalie.
Like Myth Reducer before it, Death of a Muse is an emotional rollercoaster set to a heartrending soundtrack. There was a lot of chest clenching and fists held to the sky as I listened to this album, entirely uncontrollable, as you will no doubt find yourself. I hope passersby shoot you the same puzzled looks.
This band is one of those unsung kiwi underdogs that deserve a hell of a lot more media attention. Musicians that can play hard and fast and are able to transcend styles and genres in a single track. A singer with something intelligent to say and a voice that could send Jimmy Barnes back to work on the railroad. And yet, whenever I turn on the radio all I hear is the same filler material that’s been keeping poster children in the news since the eighties. I pin it down to the masochism of the general population. And the degeneration of our youth.
Only Sleeping Dogs could deliver the strictly R18 track Boom with such grace and style. For those of you that find your attention drawn to the music more than the vocals when listening to a song, I urge you to lend an ear to Thomas Reid for this song. You won’t need the lyric sheet for this one. Paradoxically, it’s such a radio-friendly song. I think that’s what I love about it. You could probably get a few plays on mainstream radio before anyone picked up on the expletives.
You may have missed the apparently shenanigan filled album release tour, but you can still stream and download Death of a Muse from the Sleeping Dogs Bandcamp page (http://sleepingdogs.bandcamp.com/). While you’re there, check out their last album, Myth Reducer, as well.
View Track Listing
About Sleeping Dogs
It all started with Thomas Reid; a mad, classically trained pianist and self confessed Bowie addict. One day and without warning he was inspired (“compelled by the Rock Gods” he will tell you) to start a rock band.
The first to jump aboard his rock ‘n’ roll odyssey was, old school friend and multi instrumentalist, Rocky. With considerable performing experience, Rocky is a man who prefers to maintain an air of mystery. In concert you’re likely to see him bouncing ‘round the stage like his sneakers are on fire. He’s frequently the group’s lighter relief and therefore an ideal balance in an industry that attracts deeply brooding artistic types, i.e. guitarists. He is, according to Thomas, “the only bass guitarist in the history of Rock that refuses to play the tonic”!
Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Sleeping Dogs
Other Reviews By Peter-James Dries
Ben Lloyd - Album Review: Leap of Faith
26 May 2024 // by Peter-James Dries
For over 30 years, this self-taught rocker from Mt Maunganui has been writing music. Now, for the first time since 2013, we finally get to hear his songs.
Read More...
Yann Le Dorré - Album Review: The Circus is Closed
19 Dec 2023 // by Peter-James Dries
“We are Sex Bob-Omb and we're here to make you think about death and get sad and stuff!” - Scott Pilgrim vs.
Read More...
Sanoi - Album Review: Echoes Of Home
25 Nov 2023 // by Peter-James Dries
Electronica offers no escapism for me. It’s more of what I already have.
Read More...
Throng - EP Review: Decoherence
20 Oct 2023 // by Peter-James Dries
You know that thing where the letter B has a personality, or words have textures and colours? That’s called synaesthesia.
Read More...
Fortress Europe - Album Review: Old World
10 Oct 2023 // by Peter-James Dries
Have you ever been torn between listening to Mozart or Periphery? Does Epica have too much of that darn singing for your tastes?
Read More...
Yurt Party - Album Review: Yurt Party
07 Sep 2023 // by Peter-James Dries
It sure isn't summer, and this is really not the Balkans, but Yurt Party’s new self-titled album refutes that. Back with another one of them Balkan rocking beats, Yurt Party’s debut is jazzy, erratic, and full of zest and energetic grooves, with flavour notes of ska, dub, and bergamot.
Read More...
day13n - Album Review: /7/13/7/
06 Aug 2023 // by Peter-James Dries
I’m too old for this world. We’ve devolved to the point where music is only as good as the soundtrack to your 10 second TikTok, and the thirty thousand copies recycling the idea.
Read More...
The New Existentialists - Single Review: Invocation
16 Jul 2023 // by Peter-James Dries
The New Existentialists, a doom metal band known for their dark and atmospheric soundscapes, have just… Wait a minute… No. The New Existentialists are really not a doom metal band, and they’re really not known for their dark soundscapes… They’re more known as stalwarts of a bygone era.
Read More...
Most Viewed Artists
Latest Galleries
NZ Top 10 Singles
- MILLION DOLLAR BABY
Tommy Richman - NOT LIKE US
Kendrick Lamar - LUNCH
Billie Eilish - A BAR SONG (TIPSY)
Shaboozey - I HAD SOME HELP
Post Malone feat. Morgan Wallen - CHIHIRO
Billie Eilish - ESPRESSO
Sabrina Carpenter - TOO SWEET
Hozier - BIRDS OF A FEATHER
Billie Eilish - SKINNY
Billie Eilish
More Content on muzic.net.nz
Google Site Search
100% New Zealand Music
All content on this website is copyright to muzic.net.nz and other respective rights holders. Redistribution of any material presented here without permission is prohibited.
Report A Problem
