Sleepwalking

Memphis May Fire | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 21, 2009)
• Original Release Date: 2009
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Trustkill Records
• ASIN: B002CPD5MG
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #103,000 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

2009 debut album from Texas Hardcore act Memphis May Fire. The band recorded the album with producer Casey Bates (Chiodos, Portugal. The Man), but were forced to seek a new vocalist mid-session when singer Chase Ryan left the band to raise a family. His replacement, Matt Mullins, was chosen via an open audition process on MySpace. Said Mullins: "Sleepwalking is a new breed of Rock 'N' Roll. We wanted to have an honest lyrical message but also tell people that there is still hope in this crazy world, and that there is more than just the here and now. Our fans will notice that music wise, it's much more aggressive guitar work and noticeably more melodic, but still retains that southern swagger. We are very proud of this record and we are sure both old and new fans will love it."

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Dissapointing, May 27, 2010

By 

Omar M. Smadi (FPO, AP, US) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Sleepwalking (Audio CD)

i was so amped to get this album, the EP was AMAZING and i still listen to it this day, ever since it came out.

the new album seems half as good as the EP, every song on the EP was heavy and fast and had a good mix of everything a song needs. it seems like MMF is going mainstream now, which sucks. i would rather buy 2 of their EP's then this album.

take it from a fan of this band since they came out, and has seen them live(spectacular), and from a marine in afghanistan, waiting so patiently for the cd

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Review from [...] (4.5 Stars), November 5, 2009

By 

C. Amex (NV, USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sleepwalking (Audio CD)

Summary: Armed with a new vocalist and a reinvented instrumental structure, Memphis May Fire may very well have created their breakout album that could launch them into fame. Here's to hoping MTV doesn't get a whiff of this.

Memphis May Fire is a southern post hardcore band. Prior to "Sleepwalking" which is their first full length, they had released a self-titled EP. With a new album, and new musical direction, and a new singer, MMF is poised to prove that they don't plan to blend in with every other band in the scene.

While promising, the self-titled was painfully by the numbers and left a lot to be desired. It did have a few things going for it, namely some decent instrumentation and a unique vocalist. It was hindered by it's short length, predictable formula, and while often well done, the vocals could become grating, particularly in the clean passages. MMF also claimed that there was a southern edge to their music, though on the EP, this was hardly the case. With "Sleepwalking," they take all of the promise from their self-titled, capitalized on it, and put out a surprisingly good release.

Although the vocalist is new, he certainly bears resemblance to the old one, with high pitched vocals that are well done and on key. The screams are vastly improved as well. This album also delivers on the promise of packing a southern edge. The guitars are distinct, varied, and stray far from the typical chugging of similar acts, and weave seamlessly around the other band elements with some excellent leads and melodies that are unmistakably southern rock tinged.

Opening with North Atlantic Vs. North Carolina, MMF wastes no time in showing off the fact that they know how to play their guitars. The opening riff carries the song into one of its poppiest moments, and the vocalist easily switches between singing and screaming, utilizing both at appropriate times with more than enough ability.

The album really hits its stride with You're Lucky Its Not 1962, which showcases the band's capability in playing harder rock right alongside the pop based songs. This is yet another song that has a hard southern rock feel to it. The song climaxes with a slow bridge that leads into an entertaining breakdown.

Quantity Is Their Quality is the seemingly mandatory "socially conscious" track that normally is the pitfall of an album, plagued with cheesy lyrics and preachy douche-baggery. The odd thing is, this isnt a pit fall... by any means. This is one of the best tracks. Starting out heavy and meandering out into clean vocals layered over tremolo picked guitar, which is carried to the end with a downtuned solo that stands out enough without overtaking the other instrument's presence.

The Name With No Face is yet another highlight, boasting the most powerful and raw screaming on the album. When that's paired with some nice guitar lines and an intricate solo, the song becomes built into possibly MMF's best song to date. The clean singing meshes with the screaming in on-off fashion that somehow feels fresh and entertaining, despite its overuse in most other bands.

If Maylene and the Sons of Disaster's new album was up your alley, then this surely will provide some entertainment. A huge improvement over the EP, and showcasing just how easily a mediocre band can turn into a force to be reckoned with in the scene, "Sleepwalking" is an essential buy for anyone remotely interested in this music genre.

[...]

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's Good, Buy It, July 31, 2009

By 

Marty "MartyTheeMartian" (San Francisco, CA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sleepwalking (Audio CD)

Memphis May Fire's full length debut is awesome. They sound like Alexisonfire mashed with Everytime I Die. It's evenly balanced between singing and screaming. There's also a touch of Southern Rock. They use some Southern-sounding guitar riffs. Very catchy songs, from the beginning to end. Track 1: "North Atlantic vs North Carolina" is a good kickoff.

It's Good, Buy It :P