Wild Sometimes is the fifth album by American rock band Sleepyhead since their formation in 1989. It is also their first in 15 years, with the previous record, The Brighter Shore, in 1999. The group was created in the basement of an NYU dorm, but eventually toured internationally with other successful ’90s bands like Yo La Tengo, Antietam and The Magnetic Fields. Sleepyhead have undergone many lineup changes over the years, as well as a marriage between drummer/vocalist Rachel McNally and guitarist/singer Chris O’Rourke.
The release opens with “Life Is Hard,” a very upbeat, jumpy song with a slight ’60s rock vibe. It is perfect to start the full-length, as it immediately captures the listener’s attention and makes he or she want to get up and dance. The title-track follows and introduces the listener to McNally’s oddly delightful, childlike voice. It takes a couple seconds to get used to, and is reminiscent of Chvrches’ music. “Red Letter Daze” reacquaints the ear to O’Rourke’s raspy, rock ‘n’ roll voice. It has a vaguely familiar guitar riff and interesting drum solo in the beginning of the cut. The closer, “No Blood For Owl,” is kind of Psychedelic Furs-like, with its fuzzy instruments and muddled vocals. It ends the album softly, yet ties the whole project together.
Sleepyhead’s Wild Sometimes is definitely interesting to tune in to, and while the songs vary greatly from each other, they are all well done. It seems that the 15-year hiatus was worth it, because it produced an LP worth waiting for.
In A Word: Stimulating
