2*Sweet - Sleep Without Dreams
Record Label: C Walrus Enterprises
Release Date: May 20, 2008
2*Sweet have always been a bit of a mystery to me. Growing up in the middle of Illinois, they were talked about quite often during my high school years and my first year of college. The mystery in them was that I had never heard one song by the band. They were always one of those bands that I was aware existed, but never bothered to check out. It wasn’t until I was finally given a chance to review their new album Sleep Without Dreams that I finally jumped on the bandwagon, or at least partially jumped on it anyway.
As are many recent pop punk acts, 2*Sweet are a five-piece that reign from the Chicago area. I’m sure most listeners have thought this as I did at first: “2*Sweet? Seriously?” From the first few seconds of Justin Pence‘s wooing voice you can see exactly why the guys decided on the name. The music is so cute and charming, I almost had to look over my shoulder a few times to make sure no one knew I was listening to it. I understand this sounds like an insult to the band, but it is actually meant to be the exact opposite. The album opens with a piano intro as so many albums do these days, but it is quickly followed by the opening riff of “Rested Eyes Tell No Lies” that sounds like something off of the latest My Chemical Romance album. Pence’s vocals are found directly afterwards and a synth beat is followed each time the chorus picks up. The end result is something that could get any wallflower to get up and start doing the worm. The album stays on this track until the song “Life’s Black Ice” is unleashed. It was almost confusing at first how heavy the song started out. It was as if they slipped a Slayer song onto their album until Pence’s voice once again wrapped itself around the track. After that bit of diversity, the album gets back to dance-club pop punk, for the most part, and leads to a very fun filled release.
As an end result, Sleep Without Dreams is a groovy album that honestly deserves to be danced to just as much as that annoying Souja Boy song. 2*Sweet have released an album that arrives just in time for the warm months ahead of us. I'm sure I wouldn't be wrong in saying that many teenagers across America will be making memories to these songs all summer long. Diabetics beware: 2*Sweet isn't just their name; it's their way of life.
This review doesn't match the album I heard at all. Now I'm even more confused. Lines are blurred, but not in the good way. Dance? No, probably not. Then again, I take that back, I want to see how this is danced to. Youtube plz.
I'm right there with you about knowing about this band, but not actually listening to them. And then when I finally did, I was highly disappointed. They may be one of my least favorite bands right now.
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