Customer Reviews

Dawnseeker

5 star:		(39)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

As a fan of ethereal electronica I make an extreme effort to seek out new, talented musicians, who can invoke emotions in me through the music they create. When I first stumbled across Sleepthief a couple years ago on Auralgasms.com I was instantly drawn in and almost bewitched by the lush quality and achingly beautiful musical soundscapes that Justin Elswick has come up with. The songs are all unique and compelling. The electronica tinged beats and swirling female vocals will entice ANYONE who listens to this album! The first track I ever listened to was Eurydice, which feature the otherworldy, seductive vocal stylings of Jody Quine. Jody has worked with Delerium and Balligomingo and has one of the most BEAUTIFUL voices I have ever heard. Eurydice grabs the listener and takes them on a journey. The song is almost otherworldly! Once you hear this song you are completely under Justin's spell and yearning for more. 'Desire Of Ages' entwines middle eastern vibes, slinky beats and the always sexy musings of Shelly Harland (who has also worked with Delerium and is a big fave of trip hop followers). 'You Did A Good Thing' highlights Nicola Hitchcock's (formerly of Mandalay)wispy voice and brings a calm and lovely vibe to the disc. Other highlights on the album include 'Just Say It', 'Kiss To Savor', and 'Entre Ciel Et Mer'. The music on this album is amazing and I would recommend it to EVERYONE! Fans of Delerium, Balligomingo, Enigma, Conjure One, Magna Canta, and other exotic, sensual, and electronica enhanced artists will REALLY appreciate this cd. Justin is so talented and I can't wait to hear more from him (Not to mention the fact that he is incredibly modest and kind to his fans-heck, I am even thanked in the liner notes-that's how much he loves his fans!)
Do yourself a favor and pick this album up RIGHT NOW. Let yourself be taken away to a magical world of seduction and beauty...that is where this music will take you...BUY IT NOW!!

If you're a fan of electronic and downtempo beats, progressive harmonics and mellow vocals, or even just a touch of the divine, I've got five words for you:

This music will enchant you.

I don't review things on Amazon; this may in fact be a first. But it is necessary to extol Sleepthief's Dawnseeker. I have been a longtime fan of Delerium, and bought their Nuages du Monde CD (which is very decent) last week. Sleepthief was an afterthought; a means to free shipping.

I listened to both CDs the night they arrived, but Delerium was quickly shelved, because I can't get enough of the Dawnseeker. The audio samples from Amazon's site did not prepare me for how great this music is.

The first track, Eurydice, grabs you and holds you. But the second track, Desire of Ages, with its chilling harmonics and quality vocals, takes your breath away. The rest of the CD is definitely worthwhile, but Tracks 1 and 2 make you want to stop and repeat them over and over.

I'll be keeping an eye out for the sequel.

"Searching, I hear it call me
Knowing it's you I hear
The sweet embrace of you near
Spring night descends its sweetness on me
This late night stroll leading
With one thought on my mind..."
~Kiss to Savor

Sleepthief's "the Dawnseeker" slips into your world like a faraway dream and then it takes over your every waking hour as you find yourself lost in its endless intoxicating dream. At times mythological (Eurydice) and at other times modern (The Metro). The songs can at times sink deeply into an almost gothic romantic contemplation (Kiss to Savor).

"You Did a Good Thing" has an uplifting hopeful quality, while Kristy Thirsk's crystalline vocals are truly angelic and stunning within the celestial textures of "Sublunar." The silky sensual mood remains consistent throughout making this a perfect album to listen to while reading, say a novel. I loved listening to this while reading Broken Paradise.

If you love Lunascape, Balligomingo (Beneath the Surface), Zero 7 or Delerium or Kirsty Hawkshaw - Meta Message (she appears on The Chauffeur) you may find this intoxicating. If you love electronica, you may also want to take a romantic journey with "The Attraction" by Evening Ocean.

"Just say that you love me
Alone and silent face to face
just say that you need me
Those words that swallow this empty space"
~Just Say It featuring Kyoko Baertsoen (Lunascape)

~The Rebecca Review

Ever since i bought this CD it hasn't left my CD player. The songs are trully ethereal, some darker, some lighter, all with just crystal clear angelic voiced vocalists- many of them quite famous in this musical genre (Kirsty Hawkshaw, Harland & Kristy Thirsk from Delerium, Roberta Carter Harrison from ATB, and Jody Quine of Balligomingo fame). It's a beautiful album that i enjoy listening from beginning to end. Electronica, blended in with new age, blended with relaxing chill out pop tunes. All the songs have little stories to tell. All the performances are just stellar. If you like Balligomingo, Enigma, Sarah Brightman, Delerium or Conjure One then don't miss this CD.

From beginning to end, this album leaves nothing to be wanted for the eager listener. Every song tells a timeless and beautiful story that awakens the most primal of feelings within your soul. Each song brings with it a diverse worldly influence while still scratching the surface of modern tone, creating an ambiance so bold, voluptuous and stimulating in its flavor, listening is as if you have jumped into the cool juice of a tangerine lagoon. Each of the unique collaborations between singer and composer are created to an uncompromised perfection. From the distinctive interpretations of Duran Duran's "The Chauffer" and Berlin's "The Metro" to the eleven completely unique tracks, this album will thoroughly shock your emotions. The nothing less than professional production, the elegant touch of classic resonance and the enthralling progressive twists within this album will make it one that truly stands the test of time and will become that one amazing album you will never forget.

Well, I stumbled upon the Dawnseeker by mistake.... I was watching video-clips of supposeddly new-age songs on internet, not at all inspired, when I came across Eurydice.... After 5 seconds I was hooked and wanted to know more about Sleepthief !

Now let me tell you, I know nothing about electronica or the groups Sleepthief has been compared to (Conjure one, Balligomingo, Delerium...) but I really enjoy this album !

This is a work of art, and in several ways.

For starters, when you get your hands on this little gem you'll notice beautiful pictures, I like the ones on sleepthief's website even better (www.sleepthiefmusic.com) and the videos are great too.

Then you listen to the cd and the emotional journey begins.

Even though it features 11 different artists, there is a richness in this diversity but at the same time there is a striking familiarity, a "smoothness" that leads you throughout this album and every track just leaves you wanting to hear more. 11 beautiful female voices supported by catchy melodies. It is this album's strenght that it sounds like a tribute to those wonderful artists, each song showcasing that special interpret...

It allowed me to discover Jodi Quine who is really a wonderful singer.
It opened musical doors for me.

To top it all, I was actually surprised to read comments by Justin himself on the website, it is the 1st time I've actually seen someone interacting directly with his fans in this way. He is fun, genuine and kind hearted, and so not the "yeah-baby-I'm-a-star" type !!!

It is refreshing and uplifting, just like his music.

If you were looking for something new to take you away, you've found it. Sleepthief is a feast for the senses and the blissfull feeling that lingers on is well worth this buy !...

LOVE it ! Can't wait for the next album ! :D

I first discovered Sleepthief on the internet not too long ago. After hearing a few samples of his song, I immediately found myself seduced by the ethereal female vocals and lush electronic beats. I finally got my hands on a copy of Sleepthief's debut album "The Dawnseeker". I found the music to be intoxicating.The music reminded me of Delerium, Conjure One, and Balligomingo with its gentle electronic beats and exquisite female vocals. Any wonders why the music is so vaguely familiar, Kristy Thirsk, Harland, and Kirsty Hawkshaw have all sung on albums by Delerium, Conjure One, and Balligomingo. I knew I was going to love "The Dawnseeker" the moment I heard the opening track "Eurydice" w/Jody Quine. A lot of the credit for musical arrangements is Israel Curtis. All the women who have sung on the album have lovely voices. Their voices matches well with the music. As far as favorite songs goes, it is hard to pick a favorite. I must say though that "Eurydice" and "You Did a Good Thing" really stood out for me. "The Dawnseeker" did not disappoint me one bit. I am looking forward to what Justin Elswick has to offer down the road.

I've been anticipating this release now for close to two years, and all I can say is, "Wow". The Dawnseeker is captivating, mezmerizing, and has exceeded all expectations. Bravo. The question now is, where does Sleepthief go from here? Well, if this debut album is any indication, the possibilities are endless. Just please don't make me wait another two years....

Conceptualized by Justin Elswick (a full-time attorney, mind you) and brought to life with help from tech-genius Israel Curtis (this guy is amazing and often not credited enough by other reviews) and a bevy of talented, varied female vocalists. This is electronica/down-tempo focused with female vocalists. Any fans of female vocalists and electronic/new-age/pop tastes will need to hear this album. Each track is unique in sound with various influences from Elswick's vast musical palette. This is not simply a solo effort from Elswick and Curtis, Curtis himself helped in the creation of "Desire of Ages", and certain singers brought their own lyrics, vocal melodies, or compositions into this. It was a huge, collaborative effort creating this grand album that took over 2 years to complete. It includes two covers from Elswick's personal favorites, "The Chauffer" and "The Metro".

13 tracks, 11 different vocalists -- you will never be bored with the variety of tracks featured. From Jody Quine to Nicola Hitchcock, Kirsty Hawkshaw to Kristy Thirsk... any fan of this genre or electronica will find at least one familiar name. These are a handful of the best singers of the electronic realm who have worked with various talented producers and deejays, and in my humble opinion, the music world.

The music conjures extraordinary imagery, calling for landscapes of distant places, moods that surround you... I should know, I did the artwork (wink). I wrote a review for this specifically not only because I love the music, but also as I listened to the different tracks, it was not a difficult matter to lie out the different imagery. It was a simple matter, being only drawn from the emotional connection with the music.

Exceptional music is not just auditory pleasure, it is music that brings multiple senses into play, and this album does beyond that. As Musical Discoveries adequately states, "...this album is auditory nirvana".

The concept of having different singers on each track creates a diversity, keeps it interesting, but the compositional style that Justin puts in creates a familiar undertone with all of the tracks while accentuating the character and vibrance of each singer. You really have to give kudos to the composer. Yes, the voices also sparkle with brilliance, but if you listen to the underlying tracks, it works so well to accentuate the singers.

I have favorites on the album, the Chauffeur by far one of the best songs I have heard in a long time. Of course, Eurydice (that's a given with almost everyone ;) ), but second favorite has to be Tenuous. "You Did a Good Thing" grew on me after a couple of listens, at first I thought the vibrato threw me off but after I got used to it, I actually loved that wavering sound.

Music is simply a mirror to help us reflect back those qualities that give our life sparkle and meaning. That is what art is all about, and this album is a work of art. This comes highly recommended.