SLEEPER - THE MODERN AGE
I’d rather listen to something unutterably awful - so bad that it makes me want to rip my ears off - than something that is merely okay. For better or worse, Sleeper’s first album in 21 years is, well, okay.
I’d rather listen to something unutterably awful - so bad that it makes me want to rip my ears off - than something that is merely okay. For better or worse, Sleeper’s first album in 21 years is, well, okay.
At NAC last year, Sleeper out on a thoroughly good show. Decent songs played by more-than-decent musicians and fronted by an engaging, amusing frontwoman. It was all far less anonymous than I had been expecting. After a fairly triumphant return, the band could have been forgiven for joining the heritage circuit, dragging out the hits forever and ever. Loads of their Britpop contemporaries have done just that. In the words of new song, Look At You Now, “still playing all the hits” is not enough for Sleeper as “that won’t take you anywhere”. For that alone, The Modern Age is to be applauded but, sounding like the politest, straight-laced New Wave, this doesn't really add anything to their catalogue.
The songs are well constructed and the playing is, unsurprisingly, of a high standard. I just wish there was more grit, invention and pushing the boundaries, less sticking to the 90s formula. If I hear this again, I won’t object but I doubt I’ll actively seek it out, cos it is, well, okay.
5/10
