29 Dec 2010 // A review by Peter-James Dries

Do you feel that ‘Epic’ is a word thrown around with such enthusiasm these days that it has become blocked by the filters of selective hearing and any associated meaning is sucked out of it? Then listen to this album. As promised it will illustrate then reiterate what ‘Epic’ truly means. The first track just comes out of nowhere and hits you around the face leaving you asking “Who the s*** are these guys?”

According to the band’s bio “their songs have been described as ‘unavoidable, deep and unapologetic’. Their sound and style has been likened to Muse and Queen, described as ‘extravagant, big, epic and over-the-top, with long, long instrumental parts’”.

Those are some big claims to make in a band’s description. It isn’t every day that a humble Kiwi band making the claim they sound like big name bands like ‘Queen’ and ‘Muse’ actually live up to that hype.  Well, I see their ‘Queen’ and ‘Muse’ and raise a ‘David Bowie’ and ‘Pink Floyd’. It’s all the arpegiation of Muse, the big band epic anthemic presence and song structure of Queen and vocals that are the child of a childhood of Bowie and Roger Waters.  Believe the hype. It’s Contemporary Psychedelic Rock that stays true to the aesthetics of Classic Psychedelic Rock, unlike Neo Psychedelic Rock, which makes the claim of some association to greatness but in reality falls short. To put it in terms you may understand; They ‘got da MEAN Axe Man on Guitar there!!!’ (Actually quote from their Youtube page).

The album rocks the whole way through, never letting up, but sometimes giving you a second to breath with its eccentric mid-song segues. This description might not conjure exactly what I’m talking about, maybe the band have their own word for them, but listen at about 02:37 of the second track ‘Myth Reducer’ and you’ll see what I mean. Watching their video song for ‘Done’ and seeing them perform with such enthusiasm I would have loved to be at the album release party at the Bedford (I’m loving video songs at the moment. Watch ‘Done’ on their Youtube. The concept explains itself). Thank you, Thomas Reid. Keep on your love sick journey and keep us updated on Facebook. Your emotional journey brings out the best in you and the band brings out the best in your music and your music makes us happy and makes our mothers dance around as if they were still our age. As disturbing as this is to imagine, it is actually fun to watch.

Sleeping Dogs are a group of misfits with eclectic musical backgrounds. They formed back in 2009 and are based in Christchurch, New Zealand. For an aspiring super group with a BIG sound, you can’t begin from a more humble or out of the way place.

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

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