Band: Sleep Bellum Sonno
Album: Judge Us By How We Lived Our Lives, Not By How We Made Our Living
Year: 2009
Label: Unsigned
Myspace
Best Song: I’m Not Afraid Of Storms For I’m Learning To Sail My Ship. (Sailor)
Score: 7/10
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Sleep Bellum Sonno tries to hold you with deep, cutting emotions. The material of their sophomore attempt “Judge Us By How We Lived Our Lives Not By How We Made Our Living” is dense, mostly because of the rawness of the matter and the out-of-control feel the album has. Much of this may come from the live-recording of the album. I am not sure what to think of the music yet, as I’m going for the fourth listen, I’m filled with expectations and I’m curious to hear what I have missed so far. One thing is certain, Sleep Bellum Sonno is one of those groups who have managed to create an image of a well-defined band. I wish more bands could put so much effort into the concept of their musical activity.

The album tells a story of a husband who leaves his wife, two sons, and home. The story is told by 12 characters (12 songs), who all have a different perspective of the event. While there is not a doubt that the angst of abandonment tries to express itself in every track of the album, the matter of the album is so confusing and unclear that i would have not reached to that knowledge by myself, in which the bands biosheet came in handy.

First, Sleep Bellum Sonno offers you sudden screams (Gambler), the anger will soon turn into complete despair, aggressive screams are replaced by hopeless shouts (Hunter), by the track Sailor the anger and despair are dissolved, the character is just sad and aching for a father. By the next song, Bartender, the story turns chaotic, it almost seems like despair finds its way back, a fragment from the lyrics: “where have you been all these years”. This is simply my vision of how the idea progresses through the album, I’d prefer if the listener would continue from here.

Sleep Bellum Sonno have composed a dark, intense atmosphere. Sadly the subject itself is confusing and a bit a out of control. I liked how they pushed the limits of progression of motives (from dreamy to intensive), but the transitions are chaotic. I wished there was more room for fluency and choreography of instrumentation. They borrowed techniques from so many different genres, that its hard to keep count. Its an extremely courageous experimentation that you definitely should check out. “Judge Us By How We Lived Our Lives Not By How We Made Our Living” has a lot to offer, but what’s missing is clarity.

I referred to the songs by the character names, not by the real song names. I wanted to highlight the storytellers and the song names were too long for me to give a brief idea.

TRACKLIST:

1. A House Of Spades Stands No Chance Against The Wind (Gambler)
2. When The Lights Are Low I Can Hear The Devil At My Door (Hunter)
3. It All Seems So Vast From Behind The Fresnel Lens (Lighthouse Keeper)
4. I’m Not Afraid Of Storms For I’m Learning To Sail My Ship (Sailor)
5. Rewind, Rewind, Rewind. Tend To Our Stories (Bartender)
6. An Anchor Is Useless Without The Ocean Floor (Brother)
7. I’ve Got So Many Prospects But All Of Them Are Underground (Miner)
8. The Town Will Tell You Of What Grew From Our Home (Gardener)
9. As Long As My Voice Holds You Will Be My Song (Singer)
10. When I Quit You Can Put Dirt On Me (Harvester)
11. It’s Been Years Since She’s Put On That Dress (Mother)
12. Here Come The Clouds (Meteorologist)