Grade: C+ | Genre: Progressive Rock Summary: Team Sleep's vocal arrangements and musical compositions are very capable of pushing the band further in the industry, but because they don't vary the pace enough from one track to the next, they get lost in the background and are buried deep behind the everyday thoughts running through your head. When you are part of a genre-defining group like the Deftones, you might think that you have what it takes to parlay your achievements into success of a different form. Vocalist Chino Moreno's new outfit, Team Sleep, is a far cry from his bread and butter and strives to cover new ground that the Deftones would never go near. Miles apart from the edgy riffs of his original band, Moreno, as well as a host of guest musicians, appropriately live up to Team Sleep's brand name by taking a step back in order to turn down the volume.

The album's opening track, "Antaxaria," begins with a sleeping pill hidden behind drum machines and brooding vocals. It gets your hopes up, but quickly loses its strength as you delve deeper and deeper into the album. You're prepared for an upbeat record but inevitably have set yourself up for disappointment.

"Ever" is their best imitation of under-rated Swedish band, Kent, and is an effective change of pace that gives the album range and depth...assuming you haven't heard the rest of the record. Its backbone resides easily in Moreno's voice and is a beautiful ode to the one you've let consume your thoughts.

Check out Team Sleep's Debut for yourself! You may also like... Pinback - Blue Screen Life Kent - Isola Email this article to a friend

"Elizabeth" finally gives you something to lift your head to with it's Pinback-like rhythm section and understated vocals. Its message of deregulation and unoriginality illustrated by lines like, "These robots have it wired around here," are a bit trite but are easy to forgive, as they are bright spots to this low-lit record.

"Ever Since WW1" and "11-11" round out an otherwise forgettable album that you'll only listen to repeatedly if you have to write a review of it. For those looking to find a mellow soundtrack to score your sleepy moments, this might just be the right pick for you. Team Sleep's vocal arrangements and musical compositions are very capable of pushing the band further in the industry, but because they don't vary the pace enough from one track to the next, they get lost in the background and are buried deep behind the everyday thoughts running through your head. This is an appropriate side project that Chino Moreno and company had to get out of their systems so that they could go back and grow as musicians with their original bands. Check it out for yourself.