Country Sleep

Not long ago, in the store where I work, I met a young man named Winston. We discussed books and talked a bit about his interests in authors. His literary tastes intrigued me, and eventually I got around to asking what he does. He told me about a band he plays in called Night Beds and though I was unfamiliar with the band, I decided his reading interests alone (and the fact this his friend, another member of the band who was there at the time, seemed to have good tastes in books as well) were reason for me to check out his and his bands music. I decided to go ahead and order a vinyl copy of "Country Sleep". The album arrived recently and I have to say, this album definitely deserves the high regard it's received in other reviews here and elsewhere. This album is WELL worth checking out. I'm generally a rock and roll/blues/jazz fan but at times I also very much enjoy more subtle forms of music. Country Sleep fits those mellow moods perfectly.If you're looking for something reflective, dream like, introspective, this is it. Ripe with gorgeous melodies, well crafted tunes, and a touch of Nashville, Country Sleep is the start of something big. I have no doubt we'll be hearing more from this young and talented artist and his fellow musicians.Well done, Winston and company!

If you are new to Night Beds as I am / was, then I can tell you a certain fact: If you click on any one of their songs for a little sample, you will immediately know what you are in for with the rest of their material and either love it immediately... or not. It's like when you meet someone for the first time and in just a few moments you can tell if that person is going to be a friend or just an acquaintance (or totally for avoiding, haha). I am totally fond of Night Beds upon first listen, and the subsequent listens. All of their stuff just walks in my door and is welcome as a close and trusted friend. Just like a comfortable chair I've loved for years, this is a perfect fit for me. I wish you the same. -Mike in TX

I cannot remember the last time I was so enthralled and delighted by an album. And its writer, singer, instrumentalist. To me, he is sui generis. For one so young to create such profound and touching beauty ... I can think of a few other Rare examples, but comparisons are odious.Winston's lyrics are poetry. His music and voice gives pleasure only music can evoke.I use the word "Shaman", because Philosopher would be pretentious. A Shaman, in very ancient times, interpreted and embroidered the world for his/her people. We're the same people, only modern. We still need Shamans.I think "Even If We Try" is of that tradition.

my favorite album of 2013 so far. I bought this after seeing a video for "Even if we Try" on YouTube - the album is full of gorgeous melodies and soundscapes. The review before mine does a better job of describing their sound, so I won't repeat it, but I believe just about anyone would find this record appealing. Terrific vocal harmonies. Really impressed!

Country Sleep is a convincing opening from a songwriter worth paying attention to. Think more of pastoral My Morning Jacket or Irish superstar-in-waiting James Vincent McMorrow and their keening, introspective-yet-expansive songs. Country Sleep will never get a party swinging, but it’d more than cater for the boozy walk home under starry skies.

Next day, played a few teasers from the album and found no mediocre tracks and bought the album.....great album with real heart....fits right into my desire for quality indie/alt/ gazer/nu-folk/ chill wave.....hits home....never old....just a well done LP that is hopefully the first of many! Enjoy!

Lovely album. Perfect for a rainy day and a quiet moment. A few songs are more edgy, like a bite of pepper in a great dish. It's a perfect mix of tracks. Proud to have him here in Nashville.

Love this band and love this album. A plush mix of surprisingly upbeat songs along with lilting ballads. Winston Yellen's voice is out of this world.

The inevitable comparison with Fleet foxes and Justin Vernon's Bon Iver will arise, when you first listen to this debut album by Night beds. From the opening a capella 'Faithful Heights' number with its sweeping, somewhat beseeching voice of Winston Yellen, and the segue into Ramona, a fast orchestrated number, featuring slide guitar and ending with violins, then back to THAT voice again on 'Even if we try' Winston Yellen's voice draws you into his (?) sadness yearning and lonliness.The album is a fine balance of musicality and voice, and Night Beds (really Winston Yellen, who is the voice and song writer) has a voice that is nuanced and highly expressive, soft and emotive,which his song writing compliments. 'Cherry Blossoms' shows the full range of this remarkable voice and the last track TENN show cases his poetic writing too.Yellen hails from Nashville, and with sliding guitar and lost love featuring strongly, the sound is country but with a baroque edge, with its strings as well as guitars.The back story to the making of this album features Yellen heading off to the woods to stay in a wooden cabin once owned by Johnny Cash, a familiar route, it would seem for budding young musicians (see Bon Iver and also James Vincent McMorrow).This is a fine album and it would be surprising if Night Beds were not playing in larger venues when they come to the UK at the end of this year, then is planned at present (see tour dates on their website page www.nightbeds.org)Also check them out on youtube where they feature on The Lawrence school.

Night Beds is the project of Colorado born, young Winston Yellen who brings us his own brand of Indi/Folk."Country Sleep is a highly impressive debut recording by the 23 year old and one born of the pain of loss, loss of a loved one and loss of a job.Their loss is our gain! as Winston delivers a set of songs in his lovely falsetto tones accompanied by beautifully, for the most part, understated acoustic guitar and strings.

Came across this via NPR on YouTube. Really charismatic performer who would be great to watch live. My only gripe is the track "Ramona" does not use such a loud drum track on live performances and is much better without it.

Beautiful tunes superbly sung and performed - every single track can stand to be played alone but the album has a consistent thematic flow and for me is one of the finest debuts of all time, this guy is a major talent - cannot wait to see him live in April.

An amazing CD from a wonderful group