Customer Reviews

Not an Angel

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This record should have been released about 2 years ago, but business issues kept this great music under wraps. They treated a few cities to live shows at small venues in the meantime, and even shot a music video that can be seen at their myspace page, among other places online.

I heard all of the songs on the album a long time ago, and it was one of the rare collections of songs that made me want to listen straight through over and over again. I find new albums in recent years often have only a couple good songs on them, and really good albums may have 3 or 4 notable tracks. This album has only 1 or 2 songs that I Don't like.

Tracks 1 and 12 are basically just intro/outro. Tracks 2 through 8 are all very catchy and varied. I can do without tracks 9 and 10. Track 11 is a mellow, emotional finish. There is generally a lot of emotion in these lyrics.

Best selection? You be the judge, based on your taste. My opinion is Track 5 - Walker's Ridge, but 2-8 and 11 impress me.

Very good cd. Reminds me a little bit of the Outfields music. Pretty solid from top to bottom. Check it out.

Call the cops theres been a murder in the music industry, the murder of smugface, someone murdered them and burnt there ashes and sent them into outerspace. What a travesty, this band citysleeps (also known as smugface back in the day when they were good) have created one of the worse cds ive ever heard. This band had soo much potential, i mean wow maverick signed them and that should speak for itself. Theres a reason no other record label wanted to distribute this cd after maverick booted them, u should just listen and you'll see why. I just cant for the life of me wrap my brain around why they went this route and not use some of their old songs from smugface like "shuttle" and "punish myself" to name just a few and just stick to that formula of music writing and playing. Ive showed many of my friends, guys and girls their old songs and everyone loved it and wanted more of it lol. If you have a chance look up smugface's songs they will give u goose bumps and eargasms. RIP smugface. PS if your looking for a new band to listen to try theunderwater, i saw them in seattle with citysleeps and theunderwater blew them out of the water, and also they are a band that stuck to their roots and did not sell out.

this is a pretty good album. I saw these guys live in Jacksonville, FL a few years back and liked the music.

"Prototype" employs driving riffs and high-powered vocal melodies to set the soundtrack to this lyrical tale of creating the perfect woman within you mind. Electronic beats tend to dominate on "Just Another Day," while Ely Dye's vocals still ring loud and clear. The album's title track "Not an Angel" is Dye's way of cautioning any woman interested in him to stay away because he's not the nice guy type. But perhaps he's looking for someone to save him. "Andrea" cranks things up to 11 with it's powerful riffage and enduring vocals. "Sleep With Me" is a dark ballad that seems heartfelt at first, but gets more complicated the deeper you get into it.

The Bad
I wouldn't exactly say that City Sleeps' sound is new and fresh, as a lot of bands sound like them these days. I was kind of hoping the hot tattooed chick on the cover was the singer.

The Verdict
Sound wise, City Sleeps isn't exactly breaking any new emo ground. However, the fact that this is a concept album does raise an eyebrow. Exactly what the concept is, that's up to the listener. Not an Angel is a melodically powerful and dark musical journey, that may just save its genre from falling into obscurity.

Unfortunately, City Sleeps had only a very brief stint in the music industry before breaking up. This is very disappointing considering that this album is one of the most well-made albums I've ever had the pleasure of listening to. Each of the band's songs felt and sounded different and their songs felt completely different from anything else you've ever heard.
1. Song: Hotel- Rating: 9: This song may be a very short intro to the rest of the album, but it's actually pretty good for a very short song that has good lyrics and an interesting choice of musical instruments.
2. Song: Prototype- Rating: 9.5: This song is very unique. I loved the lyrics and I loved the overall tone of the song. One of the most unique and interesting songs I've ever heard.
3. Song: Just Another Day- Rating: 9.5: The song speaks about it being another day without a girl. A very cool and a very enjoyable love song.
4. Song: Not An Angel- Rating: 9.75: One of the best songs I've ever heard that conveys a very deep message that is rather remarkable and powerful. You will never hear another song like this one, ever. You just have to hear it to get how powerful this song is.
5. Song: Walkers Ridge- Rating: 9.5: Yet another very unique love song that is unlike anything you've ever heard. Great lyrics, great choice of instruments, and a great overall tone.
6. Song: Ordinary High- Rating: 9.5: Some could say that there are some questionable lyrics that may convey some sexual and drug overtones, but still a great and very entertaining song that will have you listening to it for a very long time.
7. Song: I Can't Make You Love Me- Rating: 9.25: While it may not be as great as the other love songs on this CD, but it's a very entertaining song with a great choice of lyrics.
8. Song: Andrea- Rating: 9: This song may have somewhat darker lyrics, but it's extremely entertaining as it talks about a woman named Andrea.
9. Song: Bones- Rating: 9: This is one of the darker songs of the album with a very bizarre choice of lyrics that is hard to get a grasp of the meaning.
10. Song: Be A Man- Rating: 8.75: Not the best song of the album, but it's a still a great song worthy of listening to. The lyrics are hard to interpret, but still a great.
11. Song: Sleep With Me- Rating: 9.5: No, this song does not convey sexual overtones despite the title. This is a sad song that has a number of great lyrics worthy of listening to.
12. Song: Check Out- Rating: 8: This last song is way too short, but it's more a conclusion to this great album. Still, I wish it was longer.
OVERALL: You must buy this album of this fantastic, sublime band no one's ever heard of.
THE GOOD: All of the songs, the lyrics, the instruments, etc.
THE BAD: Songs 1 and 12 are too short.

Another classic example of a great album that just plain does not get attention from mainstream radio. Which I sometimes consider a good thing. you might hear the single "not an angle" on an alternative station, but not likely. which is a shame because that song rocks soooo hard it may take a few listens to fully appreciate it. but that's OK, your reading this review, so now you know that this is a great CD and deserves some listening!

This album is mostly a rock-Oprah, that is, it tells a complete story beginning to end, kinda like how the band Armor for sleep does with all its albums (another band you have to check out if you have never heard of them).

I started listening to this band when they were called "Smugface". Although the core of the band has remained unchanged, their style certainly has, which I suppose prompted the name change shortly after they signed to a label.

These guys are technically proficient and musically potent, and the only thing wrong with this album is that its painfully radio-friendly. Its too short, both in overall length, and in individual song length. Some songs are over-produced, with lots of little background noises and drum loops. But that's to be expected I suppose: they were kicked around by major labels for a couple years before this record was finally released. It has got to be frustrating to bend over backwards to make the record you are expected to, only to see it shelved. I'm hoping the next album will be a nice evolution, and they'll have room to explore more lengthy ideas. After all, the music on this record is 3 years old!

"Prototype" is an awesome track, harking back to their harder, more progressive days. It manages to be both heavy and melodic, without sounding like a cop-out. By far my favorite track on the record.

"Not an Angel" is a very nice ballad-y song that has a tender despair to it, while still rocking out. But you could still imagine it as just an spare acoustic track.

I would like "Walker's Ridge" much more had I never heard the original acoustic-only Smugface track. Unfortunately, the production fails this song. But if you've never heard the original, this is a standout track!

"Ordinary High" is another good song. The vocals are great, as are the guitar riffs. The chorus really kicks into gear, while the verse really drives the song.

"Bones" is another old Smugface track, but it remains almost unscathed by the studio. In fact, its probably improved somewhat as it relaxes a bit in the verses and really explores the underlying melodic lines. The bass lines floats along instead of trying to drive the song. Good song!

"Catch Me If You Can" is a sing-a-long track for sure. The epitome of the band's transformation to a more "mainstream" sound, it still has some substance.

I could do without the rest of the songs ... I usually skip them. Overall, a very solid debut effort from a band I've been following for 7 years. I hope this album is successful enough to allow a more mature follow-up, because they most certainly deserve it, and I'm excited to hear what they've come up with!

This is by far one of the best albums I have ever heard. Period.

They know how to rock hard, yet have a few softer songs that aren't too wimpy, but give them that well rounded feel.

Catchy guitar riffs, great vocals, and well produced.

You can't go wrong here. Well you can, if you don't buy the album.

Would definitely buy from this seller again. Came very quickly and in condition that was stated. Thanks!