Sleep Out: Not Even Dust

With the one-two punch of the title track leading into “Graceland Cemetery”, Sleep Out’s second record is off to a harmonious power pop start. Not Even Dust was wholly inspired by Graceland Cemetery, one of Chicago’s largest resting places. Though the album is catchy as they come, there’s a bittersweet feeling lurking underneath. Lead singer and songwriter Quinn Goodwillie’s lyrics are especially sad in “To Ruin”, “You Look Pale”, and “You Wouldn’t Lie to Me”.

Sleep Out shares two of its five members, Nate Bartley and Sam Grant, with label mates Driftless Pony Club. Beloved radio station KEXP featured “Graceland Cemetery” as a song of the day July 9, 2008 and shortly thereafter recorded a live session by the band at Engine Studios during the station’s Chicago residency. Praise has also come from the Chicago Sun Times’ Jim DeRogatis who lauded the band for their pop sensibility. From here on out, Sleep Out will hopefully wake up Chicago’s pop music scene.