Tom the Lion otherwise known as ? (I can't actually find Tom's real name) excels at two things at least. Firstly he has beautifully and artistically packaged CDs. His first album was in a wooden box and 'Sleep' comes in a rice paper like covering to house two CDs and various art cards. Very classy.
The second thing is that Tom is obviously a very fine musician and song writer. 'Sleep' starts off with a slide guitar but quickly develops a sweet groove that would make Warpaint proud on a very widescreen song. Song two, 'Motorcade' has a Boz Scaggs vibe which again explodes into a big soundscape.
Variation is the key on the record and the album is well paced. 'Silent Partner' more the ballad that exposes Tom's full vocal range. 'Oilman' is a James Blake esqe soundscape, and 'Beholden' again changes the vibe with something reminiscent of Death Cab for Cutie and, we are just midway through the record.
I'll leave you to discover the rest of the record, which gets a definite 'thumbs up, must buy LP' for your collection and is certainly an early contender for those year-end lists.
Pete
10/11
1. Sleep
2. Motorcade
3. Silent Partner
4. Oil Man
5. Beholden
6. November's Beach
7. Every Single Moment
8. Winter's Wool
9. Our Beloved Past
10. Ragdoll
11. Heal
12. Come to Life