It's the lurker again... starting to make a habit of this posting stuff.
I didn't see a thread about Cool Hand Luke's new album yet so I thought I'd talk about them a little bit. I haven't caught up to their early stuff, which the band will tell you not to do anyways, but I really like their first major release, "Wake Up 'O Sleeper", and absolutely love the follow up, "The Fires of Life". I expect them to put out a solid album with the potential to produce a great album.
I consider myself pretty plugged in to the music scene, especially in regards to what's going on with my favorite bands (CHL being one of them), but somehow this one slipped right by me. I was elated this morning when I heard that not only do they have a new full length alum coming, but it's already here! I immediately ordered a copy and am anxiously waiting for it to arrive in the mail. I love their music but the spiritual depth of their lyrics is what makes them one of my favorites.
Anybody like this band around here? If you have the chance be sure to catch them live, it's a lot more worshipful than many church services I've been to and just a great all around experience. And they're easier to watch now that they've abandoned playing shows with their backs to the crowd like they did in their early days.
This quote from the front page of
www.thesleepinghouse.com demonstrate why I consider them to be genuine guys just trying to present the music God gives them: "It is always our desire to play songs for you that Our Creator has given us in a way that honors Him and encourages you. We present you with this music, this video, and this art that we might glorify God and proclaim the hope of the gospel of His son, Jesus Christ. Thank you for exploring The Sleeping House." -Cool Hand Luke, Soli Deo Gloria (Note: I translated 'Soli Deo Gloria' online and it means 'Glory to God alone'.)
Other Odds and Ends
--Some Links--
-Head over to
http://www.thesleepinghouse.com/ for info about what inspired the songs on the album, how the artwork came to be, and to watch their new music video for "Wonder War".
-You can hear two new songs, "Buy The Truth", and "Falling In Love", in there entirety, here (The ones in bold at the very bottom of the page):
http://lujorecords.com/artist.php?artistid=70 And while you're there you can pick up the record if you want.
-You can also preview every song over at Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Sleeping-House-Cool-Hand-Luke/dp/B001G1FLC4-And here is their new bio--
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With humble beginnings in Tennessee, the history of Cool Hand Luke reads like a good fiction novel.
Band forms in 1998 at Middle State University. Band signs to Floodgate Records in 2002. Band puts out two records. Band tours country with The Myriad, Norma Jean, Switchfoot, Anathallo, As Cities Burn (to name a few) and sells thousands of records. Band debuts at number 6 on the Billboard internet sales charts. Band takes hiatus. One member gets married and moves away; another goes off to college. Band reforms around single constant member, Mark Nicks, in 2006. Casey McBride and Joey Holman join band. Band tours more and has now played 46 states. Band releases The Balancing Act with Floodgate, fulfilling their contractual obligation. Floodgate folds during the release. Band is suddenly left with no label, no management, no booking agent. Band looses rehearsal space. Casey gets arms burned in grease accident. Band has no money and an almost finished record.
Time for the climax, right? Almost.
Cool Hand Luke signs to Lujo Records in 2008. They go back into the studio to finish their album which, they say, is the best sounding and best written album they've ever done. Casey's skin grafts take effect and he is able to play the bass again. They hit the road where they discover anew their loyal fanbase, desperate for a new recording. On October 14th the band answers, offering the world the true climax to this story, The Sleeping House.
The Sleeping House is band's stunning fifth studio LP. As is true with past releases, this record was born out of deep faith and convictions--something that immediately sets Cool Hand Luke apart from their colleagues. But the way this release differs from their past records far outweighs its similarties. The Sleeping House represents a breakaway from a label that marketed their music strictly to a Christian audience (which was never something the band wanted), to a label that believes personal convictions are a part of every musicians art, and that their scope of appeal should not be limited by that.
"We appreciate that Lujo is not confined to the Christian market. Christian music has become a genre instead of an indication of the content of music. Generally, being lumped into the Christian music industry means being marketed as a certain kind of music that we don't want to be associated with. Our faith is important to us, but we think it is implicit in our music without having to attach ourselves to a certain kind of record label that predominantly puts out music we wouldn't listen to."
Not only is faith implicit in the music, but listeners will also note a marked maturity that you would expect from a band that's been putting out records for 10 years. Songs are artfully constructed--piano-based and filled out with layered, shimmering guitars and bombastic hooks. Nicks' vocal delivery is powerful, his lyricism on par with what the band has become known, but here a relative darkness and intensity is expressed that has never before been seen in Cool Hand Luke's work. This quality sets The Sleeping House apart from past recordings and positions it to be their best release to date.
The Sleeping House was produced by Matt Goldman (Copeland, Underoath, Meg & Dia) and will be available worldwide via Lujo Records on October 14, 2008. Listen to Buy The Truth and Failing In Love.
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