Truth Walks in Sleepy Shadows

Last updated
Truth Walks in Sleepy Shadows
Truth Walks in Sleepy Shadows.jpg
Studio album by
SF Seals
Released1995
StudioLowdown
Label Matador [1]
Producer Greg Freeman, SF Seals
SF Seals chronology
Nowhere
(1994)		Truth Walks in Sleepy Shadows
(1995)

Truth Walks in Sleepy Shadows is the second and final album by the American band SF Seals, released in 1995. [2] [3] It was a loose song cycle about the ocean. [4] The band supported the album by playing shows with Chris Knox. [5]

Contents

The album won a Bammy Award, in the "Outstanding Alternative Album" category. [6] It was a commercial disappointment. [7]

Production

Truth Walks in Sleepy Shadows was produced by Greg Freeman and SF Seals. [4] It was less of a band effort than the debut, and more of a Barbara Manning solo effort. [8] Eleven musicians played on the album, which showcased a version of psychedelic music. [9] [5] It includes covers of John Cale, Faust, and Pretty Things songs. Drummer Melanie Clarin and bass player Margaret Murray left the band after the recording sessions. [5]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svg [10]
Chicago Tribune Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svg [11]
Robert Christgau Five Pointed Star Solid.svg [12]
MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [4]
Spin 9/10 [13]

Stereo Review stated that "the sound might be described as garage-folk; the scruffy arrangements show traces of 'Louie Louie' consciousness, but the band is working to enhance the vocals instead of drowning them out, no doubt realizing how grabbing and unguarded Manning's voice is." [14] The Chicago Reader wrote that Manning's "striking originals are fraught with numbing self-doubt, despair, and darkness, yet her confused narrators never ask for pity or wallow in moroseness." [15] Nashville Scene called the album "equal parts neo-psychedelia and hypnotic, Velvet Underground-influenced droning à la New Zealand bands like the Bats and the Clean." [16]

Trouser Press opined that "the production is lovely—the vibraphones on 'Ladies of the Sea' and calliope on 'Kid's Pirate Ship' are especially nice—and Manning's songs are simple and sweet." [9] Spin determined that "there's a tension to Truth Walks that aurally enacts the meetings, clashes, and merges that are Manning's subjects"; the magazine later listed it as the 8th best album of 1995. [13] [17] The Chicago Tribune praised the cover of Faust's "Flashback Caruso", writing that "Manning's band mates, particularly bassist Margaret Murray, weave an opulent tapestry of musical colors." [11]

AllMusic wrote that "it's probably Manning's darkest record, with rich and varied arrangements that add trumpet, vibes, strings, even calliope ... to the acoustic guitar-based songs, and lyrics heavy on the disturbing metaphors." [10] In 2001, The Village Voice deemed Truth Walks in Sleepy Shadows "probably the most accomplished work of a scene that disdained craftsmanship." [18]

Track listing

No.TitleLength
1."S.F. Sorrow (Is Born)" 
2."Ladies of the Sea" 
3."Ipecac" 
4."Locked Out" 
5."Bold Letters" 
6."Flashback Caruso" 
7."Pulp" 
8."Soul of Patrick Lee" 
9."Kid's Pirate Ship" 
10."How Did You Know?" 
11."Stellar Lullabye" 

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References

  1. ↑ "Metroactive Music: Beat Street". Metro Silicon Valley.
  2. ↑ "S.F. Seals Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic.
  3. ↑ Baruth, Seana. "Samples". SF Weekly.
  4. 1 2 3 MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 1999. p. 1000.
  5. 1 2 3 Sinagra, Laura (October 11, 1995). "Records". CD Review. City Pages.
  6. ↑ "Isaak Steals the Show at Bammies". The Mercury News. Associated Press. March 10, 1996. p. 11A.
  7. ↑ Chonin, Neva (October 6, 1998). "S.F. Rocker Manning Leads Happily 'Rutless' Life". San Francisco Chronicle. p. B1.
  8. ↑ Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 5. MUZE. p. 482.
  9. 1 2 "Barbara Manning". Trouser Press. Retrieved 4 May 2022.
  10. 1 2 "Truth Walks in Sleepy Shadows". AllMusic.
  11. 1 2 Kot, Greg (26 Oct 1995). "Show of Strength". Tempo. Chicago Tribune. p. 9.
  12. ↑ "S.F. Seals". Robert Christgau. Retrieved 4 May 2022.
  13. 1 2 Sutton, Terri (Nov 1995). "Spins". Spin. Vol. 11, no. 8. p. 120.
  14. ↑ Milano, Brett (Mar 1996). "S.F. Seals' garage folk". Stereo Review. Vol. 61, no. 3. p. 84.
  15. ↑ Margasak, Peter (October 19, 1995). "S.F. Seals". Chicago Reader.
  16. ↑ Friskics-Warren, Bill. "Seal of Approval". Nashville Scene.
  17. ↑ Weisbard, Eric (Jan 1996). "20 Best Albums of '95". Spin. Vol. 11, no. 10. p. 62.
  18. ↑ "Music". The Village Voice. August 14, 2001.
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