DEEP SLEEP "Three Things At Once" (Grave Mistake) Review by Jordan A. Baker
Grave Mistake is a label best known for its high-quality vinyl releases, and associated distributed products. So when the label decides to put a CD out that compiles three vinyl releases from one of its bands, you can pretty much guarantee that the result is going to be one awesome full-length-like offering. That is most definitely the case with DEEP SLEEP's Three Things At Once. This 21 song, 25 minute CD puts together three separate 7" EP recordings: Paranoid Futures, Manic Euphoria, and You're Screwed. In three years, the Baltimore-based DEEP SLEEP have fine-tuned their California influenced punk rock sound to something that consistently gives nods to bands like THE ADOLESCENTS, THE DESCENDENTS and CHANNEL 3, but in shorter, snottier doses. With a mere two songs touching the 2 minute mark, and most hovering between 50 and 80 seconds, song structures go through minimal changes. Lead vocalist Tony Pence sounds an awful lot like a young Milo Aukerman (especially on "I'm On Top" and "Alone With You). Lyrically, Pence surrounds himself with matters of doubt, isolation, frustration, and general anger. The quick, brunt attack of "Lost In Space" is MINOR THREAT-like with Pence gutting out the opening line, "You don't even listen to the words that I say / You just stare bored and walk away." If DEEP SLEEP's vinyl has eluded you in the past, this catch-up CD will make you kick yourself for missing out up to this point. Punk fucking rock.
