Sleepy Buildings

The Gathering | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 9, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Century Media
• ASIN: B0001ENYIA
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #274,297 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 4.5 stars - Beauty expressed in its purest form, February 2, 2005

By 

M. B. Link "wildfirelink" (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sleepy Buildings (Audio CD)

Sleepy Buildings (2004). The Gathering's second live album.

I've been listening to The Gathering for almost a year now, though I guess you could still say I am fairly new to the group because I only own two of their albums so far. I bought Mandylion(1995) first and fell in love with Anneke Van Giersbergen's lovely vocals and the ethereal, gothic heaviness of the band that was backing her up. Then I found Nighttime Birds(1997) and enjoyed that about equally. Of course after this album, the band began to take an experimental trip into less heavier realms and more focused songwriting styles. I was a little hesitant to give the rest of their catalogue a try because everywhere I looked, there were mixed reviews claiming that when the band dropped the metal, the band also lost its edge. That immediately set off my B.S. detector, so going against their judgment I saw Sleepy Buildings in the stores and figured "Why not? It can't be that bad."

Thankfully, not only did I enjoy this one, but I'm tempted to say that this is quite possibly The Gathering's most essential release.

Now, I'm generally not a fan of live albums, much less accoustic offerings of live concerts, but there's something special about this quiet Netherlands concert that really stood out to me. For one, it's supposed to be "semi accoustic", meaning that the distortion has been nearly all stripped away, yet there are still plenty of guitars, piano, and keyboards to keep the structure. All emphasis is placed solely on the heavenly voice of Miss Van Giersbergen. And from what I've heard she has never sounded better! The band has come a long way from its doom metal roots, and likewise her voice has improved over the years. Although SB takes place in front of a crowd, you almost wouldn't guess it, as the band has perfected their playing in a live setting. It's the kind of show you'd hear in a small, cozy theatre as opposed to an open arena.

The songs are all slow-paced and take on a melancholic tone throughout the whole performance, so if you're coming here expecting a roaring power concert then you should steer clear. Otherwise, SB is a majestic show of stripped-down tunes found on nearly every previous studio album (except for the new one Souveniers(2003)). I quite enjoyed the newer versions of 'In Motion Part II', 'Shrink', and 'Eleanor', all songs from Mandylion and NB. I especially love the power that's conveyed with the quiet overtone in 'In Motion Part II' and how it breaks into full power during its single chorus near the end. Quite a nice surprise. 'The Mirror Waters', 'Stonegarden', and 'Like Fountains' are all completely revamped and "Anneke-fied" versions of their originals found on the first two albums. I have yet to listen to the originals, but they all impress here. 'Sleepy Buildings' is a new brief piano-based track performed specifically for this performance. The rest of the tracks all belong from the three newer albums, with 'Saturnine' and 'Red Is A Slow Colour' being favorites of mine.

Perhaps the only complaint that I have is that the crowd seems absolutely vacant during the songs, and forced inbetween them. But other than this, I have no real qualms here.

In the end, the Gathering proves that its real essence lies in the powerful melodies they produce and the voice fronting it all, not in the volume levels of guitar distortion. These were what factors attracted me to the band in the first place, and metal or no metal, at the heart of it all the band has maintained their edge in its purest form. Not something you can say about a lot of bands. Forget Norah Jones and those other wannabe soft contemporary FM pop bands that put you into a coma. SB is how its done! Now I can't wait to buy How To Measure A Planet(1998), If Then Else(2000), and Souveniers, because if SB is any indication, then these other albums will be just as essential, if not more so than the rest. Highly recommended to the bigger Gathering fans. Don't buy it first, but get it at some point.

Replayability: moderate. Perfect for the occasions when you need something relaxing to listen to.

Recommendations:
-Any of The Gathering's albums from Mandylion onward.
-Anything by the band After Forever (Floor Jansen is another pretty voice)
-'Mother Earth' by Within Temptation (Sharon Den Adel is also very good)

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Glorious., March 18, 2004

By 

angie (ohio United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sleepy Buildings (Audio CD)

Having been listening to this band for many years, I find that I love them even more with every album. When this semi-acoustic album was released, I wasn't quite sure if I was going to enjoy it as much as their electric work. I was wrong, however.
The combination of Anneke's voice and the soft instrumentals is superb. Looking back to albums such as Nighttime Birds or Mandylion the evolution that Anneke's voice has gone through is astounding. (both albums I still absolutely adore). The passion on this CD is almost to the equivalent of seeing them live. (not quite...but almost)
On this album they also bring back Like Fountains (Almost a Dance), Stonegarden, and The Mirror Waters (Always...). Now, I know all you metal phanatics out there who love The Gathering for their former heavy style are thinking that acoustically, that must be atroscious, and with female vocals, even worse. However, I believe that they are absolutely gorgious tracks, and done extremely well on the entire bands part.
Tracks such as Amity, Locked Away, and Travel are absolutely haunting with the amount of intensity. If you are a true Gathering fan or if you just want to purchase a truly beautiful album, I would definitely recommend picking up this album.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars How can it be?, April 30, 2004

By 

"bkholtza2" (Harrisburg, PA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sleepy Buildings (Audio CD)

Someone please explain to me how monumental exposure and success continues to elude the Gathering? With every recording, they've shaped their sound into new aural landscapes, sometimes brooding and aggressive, sometimes gentle and warm, always fresh, beautiful, and inspiring.

I didn't catch onto the Gathering until Anneke joined the band with the Mandylion LP (1995). From then on, album afer album, I've been repeatedly impressed by the skill with which this band experiments and evolves. Emerging from "death" metal (call it what you will), the Gathering now defies classification, except perhaps breathtaking.

On Sleepy Buildings, the Gathering re-tools a set list spanning the band's career (including pre-Anneke tunes) to fit into the familiar semi-acoustic format of an MTV Unplugged. The arrangements are not much different from the originals; but the restrained amps and intimate setting of these performances really allow Anneke's vocals to shine. And if you tend to forget about Hans, Rene, Frank, and Hugo behind her, it's only a credit to their talents as musicians.

Sleepy Building stands in contrast to the Gathering's other live release, Superheat, as pull is to push. Whereas the Superheat record pulses with the electric frenzy of band's powerful stage show, Sleepy Buildings instead crafts a more peaceful persuasion like the tide. If Superheat is the Gathering's alarm call, this record is their lullaby.

And still the Gathering remains (in my opinion) one of the best-kept secrets in the music industry!?! I personally can't understand why they haven't hit big, even just once (especially when a band as derivitive as Evanescence can debut at the top of the US charts). Perhaps their new label will better position the band, increase their airplay, and hopefully book them more tour dates outside of their native Netherlands and EU.

In the meantime, whether you're a long-time fan or one of the newly initiated, do your soul a favor and add Sleepy Buildings to your collection (though If_Then_Else may be more palatable to those not already in-the-know). And please, at every opportunity, share this music with your friends, give it lip-service, and take pleasure and pride at being "in" on the secret.