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Feb 13, 2012 Issue #39 - Best of 2011 By Hays Davis

With their third album, Brooklyn duo The Big Sleep (not to be confused with the short-lived early-‘70s band Big Sleep) step away from working as a largely instrumental band toward a head-on stance with vocals at the fore. They are clearly ready for their close-ups.

As guitarist Danny Barria and bassist Sonya Balchandani trade turns at the mic, the band also shuffles its sound, from the gentle, keyboard-driven “Wood on the Water” to the slow-burning breakout of “Ladders.” While the varied approach is commendable, there’s no denying an impulse to repeat the speeding pop thrill of “Valentine” or the Sabbath-y throb swelling within “Four Wishes.” (www.thebigsleep.net)

Author rating: 6/10