By Emma Page
Alternative/indie rock band Sandman Sleeps’ debut album, Crisis Actor, released on March 26, is reminiscent of all the good elements of the ’90s rock icons that we know and love – inspired by the Pixies, Kate Bush, Talking Heads, and Tori Amos, “yet not sounding like any of these – or really anyone else.”
The band was originally formed by sisters Cristina and bassist Alex Peck in their teens, and after a brief parting of ways, they reconvened in 2019 with the exciting addition of drummer Karsten Andersen and guitarist Zack Jones in early 2020.
Sandman Sleeps released their mesmerizing first single from the album, “Portrait of Jennie,” on January 21. Cristina wrote it in June 2020 “amidst the ‘oddly liberating claustrophobia’ of being co-quarantined on Florida’s Intracoastal Waterway with her then-partner, a time in which she says she was ‘physically trapped yet increasingly spiritually free,'” according to their press release.
In quarantine, she watched the 1948 classic film of the same name, and incorporated its fantastical plot of “star-crossed lovers intertwined by time travel that brings them together but ultimately splits them apart,” into the song’s creation.
The tempo began slow due to Cristina’s low energy levels while battling COVID, but Alex was able to write “a ‘dynamic and rooting’ bass part, which added an ‘intensity’ to the song, and the sound became even more visceral while playing it with the full band.” The song transports the listener between worlds of dreamy rock melody and lyrics, “swinging back and forth from reality to dreamworld/other dimension.”
The album begins with “Soaked,” which channels the charming grittiness of Kate Bush-esque vocals and establishes the band’s ability to employ strong guitar riffs and percussion. The next track, “Feet,” carries an uplifting, familiar sound. Playful “hey”s say hi to us in the background, and lyrics like “This is not my body,” can make us feel existential.
Throughout the album, some song titles mirror the way they make us feel – “Opaque” is dreamy and reminiscent of the darkness of cruel love, and “Spiral” reflects a spiral in the way it plays with tempo and rhythm, slowing down in the middle of the track before picking back up again.
There is something in this album for every lover of alternative rock – from catchy guitar riffs in “Fellini,” which was released as another single in February, playful vocals in “Induced,” to strong drums that assist the upbeat feel in “Five Bell Alarm” and “Summer Rain.” “Rare Cloud” ends the album strong as a conclusive track that is firm in its unique delivery.
The band has announced that it is hosting an album release party at the live music venue Propaganda in Lake Worth, FL, on the night of its release – March 26! You don’t want to miss this debut album from a band that is going to be big.
Listen to “Portrait of Jennie” below, and follow our Alchemical Multigenre Mixdown Spotify playlist for more great music featured on the site.
Emma Page, a recent Journalism graduate of The George Washington University, possesses a passion for music journalism and storytelling in all its forms. Originally from Baltimore, MD, when she is not writing, she can be found at a local concert or making music of her own.
After AFI DOCS’s departure, the capital city once again has a documentary festival.
Alchemical Records is a Washington, D.C. based music publication. We cover the Washington, D.C., Baltimore and Richmond, VA metro area music scenes, including band interviews, articles about your favorite musicians, new music and concert dates.
