"Miasmal Smoke + The Yellow Bellied Freaks" starts its marching build with echoing drums and an organ bleeding out a nervous buzz. Epic and lonely, it's the score for the flickering light of a glowing soul that closes the door to Wintersleep's third album, Welcome to the Night Sky.
Like its final song, the album built up gradually over the past two years. From a mass of ghostly melodies, half-finished lyrics and nervesplicing drum beats, it has shaped into the band's finest collection to date.
Following the release of their 2005 self-titled sophomore album, Wintersleep spent months on the road touring through Canada, America and Europe. Upon return to their native Halifax, the band enlisted the ear of veteran producer Tony Doogan (Mogwai, Belle & Sebastian and Super Furry Animals), and hid themselves in studio for April and May of 2007. It was during this time that the ten tracks of Welcome... grew into their final stunning form.
Wintersleep earned a nomination for Alternative Album of the Year and the award for Best New Group at the 2008 JUNO Awards.
The vinyl gatefold features artwork from the European release of Welcome to the Night Sky (by Melissa Kearney, Paul Murphy & James Mejia), lyrics, album download code and a limited run of 200 clear vinyl.
Press
"this is one of the best Canadian rock albums this year. Possessing a crystal clear vision and with nary a note misplayed, each song sparkles with an energy and verve that literally lifted me off my chair with glee. " (Exclaim! Magazine)
"Musically, they are on par with Band of Horses, with engulfing waves of FM-friendly sound and the odd glimpse of Interpol's steely glare... Weighty Ghost could be Wintersleep's Losing My Religion." (MOJO Magazine)
"Within a few bars, it's pretty clear Wintersleep should have a hit on their hands... this is BIG MUSIC." (Drowned In Sound)
