Halstead leads on road to relaxation

Neil Halstead\nSleeping on Roads\nBeggars/4AD\nEver need an early-morning, half-asleep record to wake up to and warm your soul? Well, try this. Get up early on Saturday morning -- say about sunrise. Yeah, I know you're tired, but do it anyways. Slowly make your way over to the window, crack it open a bit and eek the blinds apart about half way, just enough to let the sunrays in. Then head over to the CD player and slide in Sleeping on Roads, the solo debut from former shoe-gazing pioneer (Slowdive) and current Mojave 3 leader, Neil Halstead. As the light drumming intros into the gentle finger picking and sweeping guitar lines, grab a nice hot beverage and let the music fill the blank pre-dawn space. Listen as Halstead's whispery, Nick Drake-like vocals intone the images of \"distant stars," "ocean walls," and new beginnings in the opener "Seasons."\nAs the song drifts along through its extended instrumental finale, sit back in your favorite chair and relax. Let the sweet melancholic sounds surround you. You'll hear Halstead sing about the broken-hearted girl out in search of time, in "Two Stones in My Pocket," almost as if he were telling you himself how "baby crossed an ocean just to see what she could see." \nAs the soft mariachi horns make their way through "Driving with Bert," watch the sunrise through the cracked drapes. Welcome the soothing melody of "Hi-Lo and Inbetween," a story about the end of innocence and past remembrances, Halstead singing, "One day it just snowed I guess and they closed the roads into your heart," and reflecting "Cathy, I can still see stars, the same ones that we wished upon." After the reminiscence, become more energized by the theremin-like vibes of "See You on Rooftops," followed by "Martha's Mantra (For the Pain)," a gentle song about a tormented soul confusing sex with God in search of an answer for the pain.\nAfter you go wash up, contemplate the day ahead and find comfort and solace in the Damien Jurado-inspired sorrow of "Dreamed I Saw Soldiers." Finally, let Halstead caress your ears with "High Hopes," the simple song of love to someone for whom the author knows he is no good. As the album cues off, you'll feel a warm calmness inside, perfect for the start of a brand new day. So get up, stretch and go refreshed into the world ahead. \n

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