Album Review: Walking Sleep’s Magnificent Measures
By Sasha Patpatia
The upcoming album release Measures, by the Los Angeles band Walking Sleep, is a magnificently orchestrated pop-rock performance that keeps the listener involved from the first track to the last. Formerly known as The Flying Tourbillon Orchestra, the 6-piece band formed in 2007, fronted by lead singer and songwriter Hunter Curra. The full band line up includes Curra, Sara Radle, Adam Schary, Daniel “traps” Goldblatt, Aaron Lariviere, and Ethan Walter. Walking Sleep draws from many different music styles and influences, including psychedelic pop and garage rock, yet all the while including unique male and female vocal harmonies on every track.
They sound like The Hush Sound and Camera Obscura mixed with Belle and Sebastian, but still hold their own distinguishing sound. Appropriately, the band lists their influences to range everywhere from Buddy Holly to Fleetwood Mac, and these influences are noticeable on Measures.
Walking Sleep released their debut EP, Escapements, under the band name The Flying Tourbillon Orchestra, and developed a fan following by playing numerous live shows around the greater Los Angeles area. In 2009, Sara Radle, the former vocalist of The Rentals, joined the band and the charming harmonies between Radle and Curra became a focus of the band’s music and style.
Today, the band is busy with their upcoming release of Measures due on May 25th. The album was recorded at the Ship Studio in Eagle Rock, CA and features 10 tracks showcasing Walking Sleep’s talented mix of genres and musical abilities. It starts with “The Cause”, and you’re immediately hooked. Curra has a knack for mixing dark, often melancholy lyrics with upbeat and poppy melodies, and this is apparent starting with the first track on the album: “There’s just no doubt about it/ Yet all the facts remain so clouded, oh no! / There was a great disaster/ we don’t remember anything after, oh no!”
The next few tracks on the album remain strong and melodic; with the military style drum beats on “In A Dream” (again, lyrically dampening the spirits with: “I heard you calling me in a dream/ with your hands around my neck/ you were asking me to speak/ while stifling my breath”). The third track, “Final Chapter”, can easily serve as the album’s first single, as it stands on its own as a powerfully energetic and enjoyable track, both lyrically and in sound.
“Let it Go On” is composed romantically, and resembles a dance like track, such as a waltz. It couples well with “Arso”, the following track, which is melancholy and dreamy, almost like a lullaby.
Walking Sleep has been touring in conjunction with the upcoming release of Measures, having finished a run through Texas in March, and finishing up their residency at The Echo in Los Angeles through the end of April. I highly recommend seeing this band live, and absorbing their sound in person. Get your hands on Measures they day it comes out – this band’s talent will blow you away.
Rating: 9/10
Track List
- The Cause
- In a Dream
- Final Chapter
- As a Volunteer
- Let it Go On
- Arso
- Don’t Be Fooled
- What We Forgot
- Shake the Cold
- Standing in the Threat
The Flying Tourbillon Orchestra’s EP, Escapements, is available on iTunes for $4.95
Measures will be released on May 25th, and select tracks can be heard on the band’s myspace page
