( Labwork, Oct. 2, 2007)

Back with their third album, and first with an actual title, East coast indie helmsmen, Wintersleep, are poised to turn some heads with the triumphant and varied Welcome to the Night Sky.

Coming out of the gate strong, this album definitely hits with a very effective one-two punch, as it is peppered with enticing and melodic tracks that dig their hooks in upon first listen, like album standout and lead-single “Weighty Ghost,” after which the rest of the release is then able to reel you in with its intricate and compelling layers.

Speaking of “Weighty Ghost” (previously featured here), there is just no stopping this track. Desperately addictive and uplifting, I’d go as far as to say that it alone is worth the price of admission. That said, there are plenty of other reasons to check this disc out, as there are very few misses to be heard. For instance, the smooth and trapping “Dead Letter & the Infinite Yes,” though it might not be as instantly gripping, is a perfect example of the second half of the aforementioned one-two punch dynamic, as it hypnotizes with Paul Murphy’s soothing and laid-back vocal delivery, encouraging you to hit repeat as you find yourself adrift in the song’s fluid melody. Not slouching in the up-tempo department either, Welcome to the Night Sky contains some seriously driven scorchers by way of songs like “Archeologists” and the stealthy second-half combo of “Astronaut” and “Oblivion,” a fierce and incendiary pairing, the latter of which sounds like a manic robot jamboree that merits some definite head nodding.

In fact, the material presented here is just so damn intoxicating that even the awkwardly mixed and at least 50% unnecessary “Murderer” (the strange echo on the drums had me convinced my speakers were blown) can’t detract too heavily from an otherwise diverse and well-crafted record.

All told, Welcome to the Night Sky is a sprawling and lush album that achieves its success by remaining firmly grounded in addictive pop sensibilities—a highly recommended gem from an East coast band easily perched at the doorstep of indie-greatness.

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Sample a few tracks from Welcome to the Night Sky at Wintersleep’s Myspace page before checking them out at the Horseshoe Tavern on Oct. 16, or buy the album digitally from Zunior here.