Sleeping, The - What It Takes

[Julia Conny]

The Sleeping - What It Takes
Record Label: Victory Records
Release Date: February 17, 2009

The first month of my freshman year of college, I dragged a bud to a crappy little venue in a not-so-hot neighborhood to see a few bands I had never heard of, one of them being The Sleeping. This was before they penned with Victory and were DIY-style touring (hence the no stage and bottom line sound set-up) off of Believe What We Tell You, their first full length. They were enthusiastic to play for us, a small bunch of maybe 20 and earnestly cared about playing this crappy little venue on a weeknight in Pittsburgh, PA.

The band then signed to Victory Records. They released Questions & Answers, which played through with a prominent note of progression and controlled rage. Believe What We Tell You did what it could with the debut jitters, awkward footing and a direction that went every which way, but Q&A took the band’s post-hardcore sound, buffed it up and powered through with catchy but technically efficient standouts in songs like “Don’t Hold Back”. Doug Robinson, the man with the mic, was focused and on point for every gruff punch, every calculated growl and every shift in mood.

What It Takes, the band’s third full-length, follows in the same regard, sort of. It’s a digestible post-hardcore band making another digestible post-hardcore album, but relative to Q&A, The Sleeping try new things like jazzy bits and fresh guitar and keyboard sounds. Guitarist Cameron Keym left the band before they hit the studio (with producer Brian Mcternan, a fine, fine fit), and with new dude Paul Cadena joining the team, the guitar flair is more piercing and haunting - just the right letter of development that takes The Sleeping down a darker, more gutting path. On keys is Chris Evans adding an energetic dose of organ effects that also beef up the shadows. Between the two, The Sleeping sound invigorated. It’s immediately obvious from album opener “You’ll Be a Corpse Before Your Time” to single “Bomb The World” to entirely badass “Refusive Relationship”.

The Sleeping’s hard-edged attack goes from a charge forward to calm restraint and then back again across the whole album, a technique of balance and believable zeal that allows What It Takes an extra layer of passion and intrigue. Yeah, it’s the trick of one pony, but this album has a different context of sound and flavor, so I don’t mind. Same with Robinson: his stern but open intensity is right in vein of the last album, but since we’re set in a different scene, What It Takes isn’t just a thoughtless sequel. And nowadays, that deserves at least a gold star or two.

The album, however, is minimally motivating. Despite the fire-cracking guitar work and passes of might, the fist-pumping melodies are hardly ready to stand the test of time. It’s an unfortunate fate for the album’s lasting power, and even though the texture of the keys do well to keep it all fluent and “Bomb the World” is a front-runner standout, let’s be honest here - What It Takes' prime is in the moment.

Bayside, Rise Against, TREOS, Thrice, Hot Water Music1. You’ll Be A Corpse Before Your Time
2. Friday Night
3. Bomb The World
4. Shallow Lungs
5. Running Faster
6. Ripped Dress
7. Should Have Let Me Leave
8. He Only Sees Where He Walks
9. Refusive Relationship
10. Bad Religion
11. Anyone Night Stand
12. Deadbeast

[delvec19]

Love this album!

[Gregory Robson]

Totally agree about how minimally motivating it is. I was hoping they'd take a step forward, and it feels more like a step back.

[thisishell]

Love this album, love these dudes.

[SteveD]

One of the nicest bands I have ever met. Album is solid.

[Kbm600]

This is a great album. The opening track is exhilarating.

[smokeanL]

i love the sleeping and will definitely keep supporting them, but with that being said, this album doesn't have the same lasting value as their previous albums did for me.

[Klatzke]

Love this album. What's with the low lyrics score? I thought most of them were pretty well done..

My favorites happen to be: "I'm like an angel headless, reckless with good intentions.."

I'm just actually wondering since you didn't mention it in the text.

[zubinmoosa]

This is one of my favorite albums of the year. It would get a high 80s mark from me.

[Ryzenfall]

Digestible review. I think it's time i checked this band out again. Didn't since their first release.

[Alextisonfire]

What venue are you referencing at the beginning, Garfield arts?

[actionpat]

One of the nicest bands I have ever met. Album is solid.
absolutely.

[tbsrock08]

The Sleeping is awesome. Really chill dudes!!!and an AMAZING live show!!!

[quesosauce]

I think the album is solid, and when i listen to it, i dont ever skip any tracks, which is rare these days. most albums have one or two stinkers, but this one is solid

[Tucker SL!]

fucking love these dudes.

[mybreakingpoint]

never listened to these guys before, but i might now.

[Julia Conny]

One of the nicest bands I have ever met. Album is solid.

I interviewed them a couple years ago and they basically talked about tour stories for an hour. It was one of the most fun interviews I think I've ever done.

[Julia Conny]

Love this album. What's with the low lyrics score? I thought most of them were pretty well done..

My favorites happen to be: "I'm like an angel headless, reckless with good intentions.."

I'm just actually wondering since you didn't mention it in the text.

I absolutely suck at talking about lyrics. For bands that are really lyric-centric to me (like Kevin Devine - my favorite note of his music is his way with words), then I'm obssessed and feel the need to talk about it, but if nothing stands out, my mind tends to skip over them. So with this album nothing was catching my ear, if you will. That's why the score was on the low side in comparison.

[jhowdy17]

fantastic record.

[Julia Conny]

What venue are you referencing at the beginning, Garfield arts?

I couldn't remember for the life of me! It definitely wasn't Garfield Artworks ... I'll always remember that one because I booked a show there once (weirdddd place). I think it might've been in the Strip District though. Not knowing the name has been killing me for days.

[njiata603]

this is their best work yet

[saving jonathan]

I might have to check this out. I've checked out their previous albums on a minimal level, but I've seen them live a few times and they put on a pretty good show.

Nice guys, too.
Nice review Cupcake!

[drag_in_d_flat]

wasn't really feeling this album, despite maybe three tracks...

loved the first two, but this one just didn't really live up to my expectations.

[live.]

Love this band, love this album. My only knock on it is that the songs all pretty much sound the same to me.

[destroying you]

I got a bit excited when I saw that Julia was reviewing this, as her taste in music is quite close to mine, but I found the review to be very weak in parts.

"The Sleeping try new things like jazzy bits"
"follows in the same regard, sort of."
an extremely dubious use of the phrase 'one trick pony'

The review as a whole told me more about the previous album and history of the band than it did about What It Takes.

[SteveD]

I interviewed them a couple years ago and they basically talked about tour stories for an hour. It was one of the most fun interviews I think I've ever done.
They did an in store show at Vintage vinyl (NJ's most awesome indie record store) and I had just got back to Jersey from Penn from doing a show there the previous night and I got there right at the end of the signing (I was doing about 80 mph the whole way there) and they were honestly the nicest guys I have met. They went out of their way to talk to you and they were just so appreciative. So much respect to this band.

[grabyourguns]

nicest band I've ever met, I really like this album ALOT

[Mattylikesfilms]

Sure some tracks blend together after repeated listens (mostly due to the sweet organs) but I'd def. Give this an 88%




Shallow lungs and anyone night stand are by far my favorite. Only reason you'll be a corpse isn't, is cause as soon as ap.net put it up, I listened to it 20 times a day haha awesome opener! Everyone go buy this album!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Mattylikesfilms]

never listened to these guys before, but i might now.

Zahn attack!!!!!

I absolutely suck at talking about lyrics. For bands that are really lyric-centric to me (like Kevin Devine - my favorite note of his music is his way with words), then I'm obssessed and feel the need to talk about it, but if nothing stands out, my mind tends to skip over them. So with this album nothing was catching my ear, if you will. That's why the score was on the low side in comparison.

Deadbeast,anyone night stand and refusive relationship.


Those songs seemed the mostheartfelt IMO

[zombie!pirate!]

awesome review. beats out their first release but I though Q&A was better

[kristanxmarie]

i love these guys & really love this album. You'll Be A Corpse Before Your Time has already become one of my all time favorite sleeping songs.

[bloodyr0mance87]

definitely want to check this out. however, i have to agree with you on the band's lasting value. Q&A is a really good record. however, i don't have the urge to play it over and over again. it bums me out that a band that are this talented can't make we want to come back again and again.

[AdamChildress]

I never really saw much in this band, I am going to check out this album...or just give them more of a chance in general.

[RiCCioLi]

surprised at the low score. I feel that in a scene where everything sounds alike these days and have for a while now, The Sleeping really have established their own vibe. I gave it a 90% and possibly my fav sleeping album, but too soon to finalize that

[newfoundmichael]

I had such a love/hate relationship with their first Victory album. One day I'd listen to it and really like it and the next I would wonder what I was thinking. I really hope this one redeems them for me. Good live show though.

[iAMhollyood315]

yeah, even not meeting the guys ever i could tell how much they care about their fans, when they played in Syracuse the last time over the summer, doug robinson was excited to be playing for us and was really nice and always made sure everybody was doing fine and asking us how we were and giving us water and his general attitude was so postive. they are playing here with hollywood undead (lol) and im gonna go to support the sleeping.

[jstoddard]

i'm pretty impressed after one listen.

[RescueXMyself]

I've always been a huge fan of The Sleeping, and I've seen them countless times live. Each live show brings so much energy and I'm always excited to see them again.
That being said, this album was slightly disappointing. I had high expectations of it because "You'll be a Corpse Before Your Time" and "Bomb the World" sounded so good when I listened to them. But the rest of the album is kind of boring. I totally agree with the part where it says it doesn't have that lasting effect.

[arizonahotrock]

<namedrop>The show you are talking about was at Mr. Roboto. My girlfriend (well, she wasn't my girlfriend at the time) is actually the one that set that show up...small world. </namedrop>

As for the album...I loved the first two...the second one took forever to grow on me because I loved the first so much...so, I'm hoping the third is the same way. As of right now, I like, but I don't love it. I love things about it, but as a whole, it's up and down. Though, even when The Sleeping aren't so hot, they're better than 95% of the stuff out there.

[xtheaudition]

the cd is okay.

[Julia Conny]

<namedrop>The show you are talking about was at Mr. Roboto. My girlfriend (well, she wasn't my girlfriend at the time) is actually the one that set that show up...small world. </namedrop>

As for the album...I loved the first two...the second one took forever to grow on me because I loved the first so much...so, I'm hoping the third is the same way. As of right now, I like, but I don't love it. I love things about it, but as a whole, it's up and down. Though, even when The Sleeping aren't so hot, they're better than 95% of the stuff out there.
YESSSSSSS! Thank you so much. Mr. Roboto Project, oh my. I can't even tell you how much this has been bothering me. I've even called all my old friend to see if they remember.

I hope your girlfriend doesn't take offense to my comment ... I've been booking shows at shitty DIY venues for five years, so it wasn't meant to be mean.

[Julia Conny]

They did an in store show at Vintage vinyl (NJ's most awesome indie record store) and I had just got back to Jersey from Penn from doing a show there the previous night and I got there right at the end of the signing (I was doing about 80 mph the whole way there) and they were honestly the nicest guys I have met. They went out of their way to talk to you and they were just so appreciative. So much respect to this band.

That's very neat. You know, some bands do the talk to fans and socialize thing and are nice about it, but they're never 100 percent genuine, and you can tell. Not The Sleeping. I've always gotten the vibe that they're legitimately interested in meeting and chatting with fans.

[arizonahotrock]

YESSSSSSS! Thank you so much. Mr. Roboto Project, oh my. I can't even tell you how much this has been bothering me. I've even called all my old friend to see if they remember.

I hope your girlfriend doesn't take offense to my comment ... I've been booking shows at shitty DIY venues for five years, so it wasn't meant to be mean.
LOL...no...she knew it was a shitty venue. She was pumped that someone was there and remembers it (like you said, there were only like 20 people there). No offense taken.

[kinkywizard90]

hung out with them last night. best dudes ever. love the new cd.

[YouSmellExcited]

those ratings are tooooo high/generous

[Merkin]

Spot on, album had some great songs, but not enough for the last power.

[asleepingfan]

The review was ok for the most part, but it goes to show you the lack of knowledge the writer has. Go and check out one of the largest magazines in music....Alternative Press Magazine, where the writers are paid a decent amount to really listen and rate an album. They gave The Sleeping 4 1/2 stars out of 5 for "What it Takes". These people really know what music is. And yes, I am a fan of their music. They are not afraid to try something different that sets them apart from the rest. So kudos to them for not trying to be the same as everyone else. I love all three of their albums, and they keep getting better and better! They are all a bunch of nice respectable guys, who pour their heart out into their music...and it shows when they perform live. A little article like this will not change my mind about them.. "BOMB THE WORLD"!!!!

[Chris Fallon]

The review was ok for the most part, but it goes to show you the lack of knowledge the writer has. Go and check out one of the largest magazines in music....Alternative Press Magazine, where the writers are paid a decent amount to really listen and rate an album. They gave The Sleeping 4 1/2 stars out of 5 for "What it Takes". These people really know what music is. And yes, I am a fan of their music. They are not afraid to try something different that sets them apart from the rest. So kudos to them for not trying to be the same as everyone else. I love all three of their albums, and they keep getting better and better! They are all a bunch of nice respectable guys, who pour their heart out into their music...and it shows when they perform live. A little article like this will not change my mind about them.. "BOMB THE WORLD"!!!!
I'm not sure what I should be laughing at more -- you trying claim Julia has a "lack of knowledge" or calling the reviewers at AltPress credible.

Either way, this album is good, not great -- better than most Victory releases though, for sure.

[kristanxmarie]

The review was ok for the most part, but it goes to show you the lack of knowledge the writer has. Go and check out one of the largest magazines in music....Alternative Press Magazine, where the writers are paid a decent amount to really listen and rate an album. They gave The Sleeping 4 1/2 stars out of 5 for "What it Takes". These people really know what music is. And yes, I am a fan of their music. They are not afraid to try something different that sets them apart from the rest. So kudos to them for not trying to be the same as everyone else. I love all three of their albums, and they keep getting better and better! They are all a bunch of nice respectable guys, who pour their heart out into their music...and it shows when they perform live. A little article like this will not change my mind about them.. "BOMB THE WORLD"!!!!
i agree with you about the album, but for you to claim that alternative press is so much more knowledgeable about music than people on this page is ridiculous. do you not see the bands that end up in that magazine? and i don't think the writer of the review was trying to "change your mind about them." they were putting their opinion out like you just did by saying you disagreed.

i really do love this album, but a lot of what you said is a bit ridiculous.

[liveloud4life]

those ratings are tooooo high/generous
Care to explain/give even a shred of reason what they didn't deserve? This review isn't even high.

I absolutely love this album though. I bought it wondering why I didn't have any of their older work even though I loved it too and was completely caught off guard by all the keyboard work and the jazziness of it. Outstanding.

[cereal4life]

If the RIYl section is right (especially Thrice and TREOS) then I will definitely be checking this out.
Thanks for the heads up Julia!

[YouSmellExcited]

Care to explain/give even a shred of reason what they didn't deserve? This review isn't even high.

I absolutely love this album though. I bought it wondering why I didn't have any of their older work even though I loved it too and was completely caught off guard by all the keyboard work and the jazziness of it. Outstanding.

downloaded the album, played the first song, and thought "WTF is this shit?!"

[Klatzke]

downloaded the album, played the first song, and thought "WTF is this shit?!"
Sounds like a personal problem, this album is great.

[Spenny]

My friend bought this for me, but I have yet to listen to it.
Guess I should get around to it.

[fadedmemories]

Might check this album out later

[Julia Conny]

The review was ok for the most part, but it goes to show you the lack of knowledge the writer has. Go and check out one of the largest magazines in music....Alternative Press Magazine, where the writers are paid a decent amount to really listen and rate an album. They gave The Sleeping 4 1/2 stars out of 5 for "What it Takes". These people really know what music is. And yes, I am a fan of their music. They are not afraid to try something different that sets them apart from the rest. So kudos to them for not trying to be the same as everyone else. I love all three of their albums, and they keep getting better and better! They are all a bunch of nice respectable guys, who pour their heart out into their music...and it shows when they perform live. A little article like this will not change my mind about them.. "BOMB THE WORLD"!!!!

You actually think that Alt Press writers get paid decent money? Hmm, fail.

[asleepingfan]

You actually think that Alt Press writers get paid decent money? Hmm, fail.
Nah you failed! Enough said!

[Klatzke]

Nah you failed! Enough said!
You know that most of the writers for Alt Press, minus the big guys, don't get paid at all right?

Not to mention that Alt Press is constantly cradling Victory's.... EGO

[liveloud4life]

downloaded the album, played the first song, and thought "WTF is this shit?!"
Nice. Very thorough. And good backing for your argument.

[YouSmellExcited]

Nice. Very thorough. And good backing for your argument.

i like TS but the lyrics were laughable

[HometownHero]

The review was ok for the most part, but it goes to show you the lack of knowledge the writer has. Go and check out one of the largest magazines in music....Alternative Press Magazine, where the writers are paid a decent amount to really listen and rate an album. They gave The Sleeping 4 1/2 stars out of 5 for "What it Takes". These people really know what music is. And yes, I am a fan of their music. They are not afraid to try something different that sets them apart from the rest. So kudos to them for not trying to be the same as everyone else. I love all three of their albums, and they keep getting better and better! They are all a bunch of nice respectable guys, who pour their heart out into their music...and it shows when they perform live. A little article like this will not change my mind about them.. "BOMB THE WORLD"!!!!
You sir are a fucking douche. Alternative Press is a joke. 3OH!3 is on the cover this month. If that is credibility then this world really is crumbling quicker then I thought. Even though I was slightly blinded by this stupid cocks post I really did enjoy this album alot. Good review Julia!

[liveloud4life]

i like TS but the lyrics were laughable
That seems like kind of a small thing to say that this is terrible. And I'd say that lyrics are decent at worst. They're certainly not distractingly bad.

[chelseaxsmilexD]

Digestible review. I think it's time i checked this band out again. Didn't since their first release.
You'll Be A Corpse Before Your Time Is Absolutely Capital. Henceforth the capital letters.

[chelseaxsmilexD]

You sir are a fucking douche. Alternative Press is a joke. 3OH!3 is on the cover this month. If that is credibility then this world really is crumbling quicker then I thought. Even though I was slightly blinded by this stupid cocks post I really did enjoy this album alot. Good review Julia!
I mean it was still a three 1/2+ star review. Alt Press doesn't know what they're talking about. The only time I've ever slightly agreed with them was with their ISMFOF review.

[chelseaxsmilexD]

My friend bought this for me, but I have yet to listen to it.
Guess I should get around to it.
Yeah.....

[Dm!tr! the !st]

I really like this album. "Shallow Lungs" is one of my favorite songs by them.