The Gathering- Sleepy Buildings

The Gathering-"Sleepy Buildings" This group I've loved for quite a while, after hearing their song "Leaves" back in 1995. They have a style that is somewhere between Lacuna Coil (though they were there long before Lacuna),Cocteau Twins and Portishead, creating a very unique and oft-imitated style of atmosphere. They are metal, yet dreamy to the fullest. They are ethereal yet heavy. Alot of seemingly contradictory things come alive with them, and yet seem to flow perfectly in the end. Esp. with the angelic voice of their singer, who seems to just burst with life every time she opens her mouth. Her range is dynamic, her voice almost like a cross between Norah Jones and a more ballsy Liz Frasier, kind of a mix of ethereal and blues styles of singing. It is to the ears what wine and white chocolate are to the mouth to put it simply! \par

This CD reflects a semi-accoustic mood, which given their sound makes it sound quite intimant and blazingly passionate. The guitars are perfectly in line with the piano and keyboards (which sound very close to Moogs if I'm not mistaken), and then the singer just guides their ship of wonders like a magnetic mast on a golden sea. It simply flows from song to song, and listening to this CD in repeat is no problem at all. Definitely recommended! Rating: 10