The Sleeping: Questions & Answers CD Review

When the first few minutes of Questions and Answers begins to play, the attention of the room definitely belongs to The Sleeping. With rock tendencies reminiscent of The Foo Fighters and an intensity similar to Straylight Run, the band is mainstream from the outset.

Yet as the album progresses, each track reveals a slightly different side to the Long Island natives. "The Climb" features an impressive drum solo that launches the listener into one of the best tracks on the album. "The Big Breakdown" is a fist-pumping anthem sure to be a live favorite. "3 Cigarettes" begins as a jazzy number that develops into an 80's hard-rock groove. "Dearest Mistake" features guitarist Cameron Keym on an impressive solo before descending into the darkest places found on the album.

The band lists a dizzying array of influences, ranging from Nine Inch Nails and The Police to Incubus and The Mars Volta. That collection can definitely be found throughout, especially the dark intensity of NIN. Yet even with these comparisons, the band is always accessible which will keep them available to the masses.

Frontman Doug Robinson was the winner after a tryout of 22 vocalists for the part and the reason is clear. Robinson's vocals are clear when they need to be and strained at all the right times. This is never more clear than on "Heart Beatz."

With the musical originality and Robinson's solid vocal, The Sleeping have put together an impressive debut for Victory Records.