The Sleeper

This is the heavily-hyped debut full-length album by the UK's The Leisure Society, who virtually have already become household names in the UK. Track after track, The Leisure Society deliver hooks that set their work apart from so much of the current UK folk rock revival; three-part vocal harmonies are complimented by lush, restrained strings, and arrangements featuring ukulele, mandolin and banjo, are all given a warm, slick production treatment. Despite their UK roots, several more prominent American influences leap to mind; Wilco, Fleet Foxes, The Webb Brothers and Beechwood Sparks can be heard throughout the record. Album opener "Give Yourself A Fighting Chance" takes its vocal harmonies and delivery straight from Eureka-period Jim O' Rourke. Equally, you could easily imagine "Save It For Someone Who Cares" being performed by Rufus Wainwright. Elsewhere, you can hear a folkier Shins at work, as well as shades of Tim Hardin - there's sunshine pop, folk-rock and more to be found within; it's the kind of album where each time you play it, your favorite track will change. This is warm, rustic, orchestral folk-rock at its best.