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Capture Artist: Sleeping at Last Label: Independent Length: 11 tracks/56:29	Sample April

Chicagoland indie rock band Sleeping at Last takes their name from Psalm 62:1, where the soul finds its rest waiting on God.  However, their sound is anything but sleepy.  Taking musical cues from such groups as Switchfoot, Sunny Day Real Estate, Sixpence None the Richer and supergroup U2, Sleeping at Last endeavors to make their mark on the indie alt-rock scene.

The debut album Capture is one of those rare indie projects that one can listen to repeatedly without tiring of it.  Happily, it’s not a recording that has to “grow” on the listener before being palatable.  Between skillful musicianship and fairly tight production, Sleeping at Last achieves a professional sound that is slick yet not overproduced. 

Sleeping at Last is composed of brothers Ryan O’Neal (17) and Chad O’Neal (20), with longtime friend Dan Perdue (19) on bass. Chad provides rock solid drums while Ryan is the principal songwriter, guitarist, vocalist, and occasional keyboardist. The band has been together for about 2-1/2 years, and while youthful, this is no teeny-bopper band.  Though they are probably not headed for instant stardom with this indie release, neither should they be ignored.  A hard-working young band with promise, Chad O’Neal says that though they would like to be signed someday, “We are waiting for a good contract and most importantly on God.”  Meanwhile, the band mostly plays weekend concerts in the Chicago area.

Capture opens with a song called “Thanks for the Memories” which has a sincere, U2 sound as it talks about appreciating memories with a friend in life.  Other topics dealt with on the CD include love, God, love, trust, and love.  While Ryan O’Neal’s light, breathy voice is somewhat reminiscent of Charlie Peacock, it is more like Ian Tanner of The Awakening (anyone remember them from the late eighties?). 
 
Though the lyrics tend toward the vague and ambiguous “You,” the music is what catches the listener’s attention.  Highlighting the talents of these young musicians are the tracks “The Thief” and closing tune “The Strength It Takes to Recover,” both instrumentals.

At times anguished, at times dolorous, Sleeping at Last slides into the spotlight with a raw, garage band sound on a well-produced album of alt-rock for the college crowd.  Don’t let this one catch you sleeping. 

Zik Jackson 10/24/2000
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