Another band straight out of Atlanta, Georgia have a pop-rock feel about them, similar to Madina Lake, Good Charlotte and 30 Seconds To Mars. City Sleeps are a tight outfit, with addictive melodies, compiling snappy guitar riffs with sharp snare patterns. This results in a radio-friendly finish and no doubt a band who will be popular with mass-audiences for alternative rock. Some harmonised vocals shine through on Track 3 ‘Just Another Day’, complete with raw screams in places which keep this band from slipping entirely into pop territory. It is clear that this band have been intelligent with their approach and the songs are well written, both musically and lyrically. I am not so keen on the ‘tannoy’ vocal effect towards the end of ‘Just Another Day’ – it seems a little boy band, but that does not hold the band back in any way. Track 4 ‘Not an Angel’ displays all the qualities of a hit record and City Sleeps have definitely got their sound right. Each track builds on the previous and in places this album is very rocky – very much a band who would pull a crowd of screaming girls effortlessly (something to be jealous about if nothing else!). Despite this band not appealing hugely to my personal tastes, I recognise talent when I hear it and I understand this band. The album is a very good release with countless potential hit records hidden away on it. I would take nothing away from this band and I look forward to hearing more about them in the future.

Trustkill Records' City Sleeps is A different breed of infectiously catchy rock band than the typical of today's ranks. While most artists are busy trying to imitate the sounds of Fall Out Boy, Senses Fail, or Cartel, City Sleeps melds the stylings of Anberlin, Run Kid Run, Mute Math, The Killers, and Coldplay with a more obscure sounding british rock sound than any other new artist out there. These influences laced with loads of original leads and synth progressions, make "Not An Angel" A release that proves to be easy on the ears. Many may not have previously heard much about this artist, and if your brand of rock music only consists of the warped tour's roster then chances are you won't every truly appreciate this release. Tracks such as "Ordinary High," "Prototype," and "Just Another Day" highlight the album with not only loads of originality, but the most infectious loops on the entire album. At times the band ventures into dreerier territory with more mainstream sounding radio-rock approaches. But in tracks like those the musicianship of the dualing guitarists throws listeners for A unique twist that could even be relative to such metallic artists as The Human Abstract, Protest the Hero, or even Between the Buried and Me (especially the outro "Check Out.") City Sleeps definitely is A band that knows when to be flashy and when to be conservative with their progressive melodies and harmonized leads. While A song's vocal harmonies aren't being crammed into your brain, guitar leads are blistering and unique and even electronic synth melodies are strewn throughout the album's 36 minute length. Simple song structures don't seem to be A case in "Not An Angel" nor is stereotypical song-writing, so if you're expecting something simple and trendy look to another release. If you're A fan of Coldplay, Mute Math, Powerspace, Quiet Drive, Anberlin or simply just original and catchy sounding rock music then this album is for you. The only negative aspects of this release are when the group drone into less-abrasive territory.

“Not An Angel” is the latest release from Trustkill’s new babies City Sleeps. Sounding like an adrenaline fuelled melodic rock album with a generous helping of emo aesthetics, City Sleeps are your latest musical heroes. After being discovered by John Feldmann (The Used, Story Of The Year) they set to working creating an emotional, catchy album, with standout tracks including “I Can’t Make You Love Me”, “Just Another Day” and “Walkers Ridge”. The singers voice is a happy medium of Incubus’ Brandon Boyd and Green Day’s Billy Joe, while guitars shift from quiet to loud seamlessly. The addition of electronic keys and tones is a definite plus point and the band move innovatively and interestingly between tracks. Atmospheric, compelling and original.

“If looks could kill, you’d be a murderer” Ely Dye, vocalist of City Sleeps sings in “Andrea” on the bands full length “Not An Angel” CD. Well, if sounds could kill, I wouldn’t be living, breathing, or writing this. “Not An Angel” is a high quality release featuring a variety of dynamic numbers ranging from the stunning “Prototype” that packs a punch and resembles a rock ‘n’ roll dart heading straight for the bullseye, to the heart-destroying “Walkers Ridge”, a song about unrequited love that many of us can relate to. The faster paced tracks are favoured most with songs such as the sweeping “Sleep With Me” more for those that like a relaxed slower pace. The album, produced by John Feldmann, features the occasional Bert McCracken style scream, lots of melody, sizzling guitars and prominent drumming. All in all, City Sleeps are a band you need to hear. “Not An Angel” is both angelic and devilishly delightful.

In my previous review I had trouble being impressed by "Sick City". Now however, the "City Sleeps", dreaming up yet another debut album, this time named "Not An Angel" - And this time around I'm finding it somewhat easier to be impressed. City Sleeps demonstrates clearly how you can craft captivating and very professionally sounding songs, using little more than traditional elements in your music. Just take a listen to opener "Prototype", a song that had me singing along by the second time I heard the chorus - catchy doesn't cover it. It doesn't take long to recognize that this band is setting down a path very similar to The All-American Rejects, writing pretty straightforward conventional poprock, shamelessly wrapping their listeners up in infectious melodies and most probably instigating singalongs on a stadium near you in the near future. It's all soaring vocals on simple riffs and build ups, just like you might know them from bands like Anberlin or even Goo Goo Dolls. The problem with "Not An Angel" lies unusually in the albums diversity. You see during the second half of the record, the songs lose their punch as the band seemed to have gotten enough anthems down and decided to include some softer and slower stuff - maybe for the ladies, who knows. Nevertheless going soft isn't anything we appreciate overly here at Rockfreaks.net, so I'm gonna take some points off for that. In spite of this I'd recommend "Not An Angel" to anyone who likes their rock simple and emotionally driven, as it works very well in those departments.

City Sleeps is possibly a name that doesn't ring a bell quite yet, but with time this will be a band you hear a lot about. Not An Angel is an interesting and well written rock record with passionate vocals and enough memorable moments to secure a permanent spot in your brain. While it is easy to associate City Sleeps with the melodic rock genre, they certainly aren't predictable. The songs are of course based around memorable choruses and hooks, yet the songs tend to cover a lot of ground. From acoustic guitars to uptempo rockers, the album is diverse and hard hitting, exploring without becoming meandering. There is indeed a common thread running throughout the album, yet each song is quite different. With an album of this style if it is produced by John Feldman you know that it will sound like a million bucks. While it does sound quite good, Feldman seems to use similar ideas with each band he records when his style should change with each band. It doesn't really hurt the album at all, but it is quite noticeable. This is a ridiculously infectious album. If Bones and I Can't Make You Love Me dont get stuck in your brain, I pit the numbness you must feel. This is as energetic and passionate as they come and I love every minute of it.

"Not An Angel", the debut full-length from City Sleeps, a five member outfit from Atlanta, Georgia, is like a piece of precious silver that's been in the family for generations. It's pretty, polished, and gleams until it blinds you, therefore rendering it unforgettable. Musically, this band specializes in somewhat wholesome yet completely catchy, alt rock singles with humongous and memorable choruses that were made to sing along to, and a guitar driven sound -- like that of the Foo Fighters or recent Atreyu offerings. Even though promotional photos of the band depict the dudes who comprise City Sleeps as badasses with their leather jackets, sleeves of tattoos and sitting in front of a table of broken beer bottles, the music is clean as a whistle and is tailor made for incessant radio air play on your local alternative rock station. These two contradictory and opposing forces -- image vs. sound -- makes City Sleeps worth your time, because the band delivers a likeable sound in a slightly dangerous, enticing package. As long as City Sleeps can tour and put itself in the faces of kids, this quintet appears to have the chops and moxie to forge a successful alt-rock path for itself. Future radio smashes include the title track, "I Can't Make You Love Me" and "Just Another Day."

Overview: On paper, Atlanta's City Sleeps has lived through a horror movie of an experience in the music industry. After inking with Maverick Records in 2003, the young quintet crafted what would be their debut album for the label with Goldfinger alumnus John Feldmann. Their careers were set to explode, until the bullying of their debut began. The release date was pushed back countless times, and instead of waiting around listlessly for Maverick to decide the band's fate, City Sleeps bolted from their longtime home in late 2006, after nearly four years of headache and heartache and a fully recorded, unreleased debut album. City Sleeps also saw bassist Mars Davlan walk around this time, and the band wasted no time in swooping up local bass player Brad Allen to handle the duty. The five performed a round of showcases for interested labels, and Trustkill Records took the band under their wing in early 2007. Now, finally, after an exhausting run through the industry meat grinder, City Sleeps is set to launch their long-awaited debut 'Not An Angel' (a.k.a. 'Sleep With Me', a.k.a. 'Hotel', a.k.a. 'Walker's Ridge') on October 9th, 2007. The Good: It is a tragedy that 'Not An Angel' has gone formally unheard by the public for this long, as this is a gift of a record from top to bottom. The album commences with the short-lived cathartic ambiance of "Hotel", which segues into the sleek and cunningly powerful "Prototype". Frontman Ely Dye's lyrical prowess is one to be reckoned with, as his atmospheric and colorful works are the staple of the soaring texture of "Just Another Day", as well as in the sheik and sexy "Ordinary High". Most notably, his most moving piece, as well as possibly the most dynamic tune on the record, is "Not an Angel", complimented by a perfectly honed backdrop of airtight drum accentuations and subtly explosive guitar work. City Sleeps make sure to prove 'Not An Angel' is a unique bouquet, as one will find more than just modern rock patterns throughout the disc. City Sleeps has quite a savvy for tugging on the heartstrings, as you can almost feel the longing and sense of sentimental urgency in the reflective "Walker's Ridge", and also in the flawless and enchanting "I Can't Make You Love Me". "Andrea" is a high-octane, hook laden trip, while "Bones" is a hauntingly majestic track, which is aided by smooth as silk texturing and some of Adriel Garcia's crunchiest guitar work on the album. 'Not An Angel' never slows down as it nears its end, as the sly and organic "Be a Man" pays testament. Before reaching the album's finale in "Check Out", a double edged sword of a cliffhanging deal sealer and a continuation of "Hotel", you are greeted with the poignant and mystifying "Sleep With Me", which showcases City Sleeps firing up their soulful side and surely wetting some eyes along the way. 'Not An Angel' touches you from all angles-it hits your mind, it hits your soul, it hits your heart. From the revealing lyrics, to the chic rhythms and harmonies, City Sleeps was able to squeeze blood from a modern rock stone that has been exhausted ad nauseam and make it shine brighter than ever before. The Bad: I could go on forever parading about "the good" of 'Not An Angel', but this section will justifiably be brief. The only detriment to the band, as well as to the listener, is the exclusion of "Catch Me", a song contained on earlier incarnations of the album. "Catch Me" is one of the band's most brilliant tracks, and perhaps it was possession of the rights to the song and its royalty potential that led to its absence ("Catch Me" has been featured on ESPN, and will also be featured in an upcoming soundtrack). Other than a handful of predictable moments and the sometimes unwavering verse, chorus, verse song structuring, 'Not An Angel' is in a class of its own. Bottomline: Just think-if City Sleeps had not played their cards the correct way, this gem of an album may have never been formally released. Scary indeed. 'Not An Angel' is a watershed album for the state of modern rock, as it takes the traditional formulas and styles and smashes them to pieces. The lyrics are enviable, the guitar work is sultry and exquisite, and the drums are pinpoint accurate. The one thing City Sleeps has that many of their peers lack is the ability to make you feel as if you were living that very moment within the song, whichever track it may be. Listening to 'Not An Angel' wells up emotion, encourages you to think, inspires sing-along moments, and most importantly, leaves you wanting more after each listen. I have been blessed to have had the album for nearly two years running, and I still listen to 'Not An Angel' as if I just received the disc. There is finally light at the end of the tunnel for City Sleeps, and if 'Not An Angel' is their ticket out of hell, than the band will be riding first class for sure. A phenomenal effort and a gifted experience, and luckily for everyone, most notably City Sleeps, the wait is over. Rating: 10 out of 10

This Atlanta-based emo/rock quintet likes to work with polar opposites. At one juncture, frontman Ely Dye, over a martial beat and jagged guitars, urges his subject to “be a man!” and not let his girlfriend trample his heart; in the next song, he coos, “Twilight finds you in my arms” over plush strings and acoustic guitar. It may be a little soft for the mosh pit, but “Not An Angel” – produced by Goldfingers John Feldman (the Used and Atreyu) – offers a tightly crafted alt-rock with strong melodies and the ability, on tracks such as “Ordinary High,” “Andrea,” and “Bones,” to wake the neighbors.

Having sat on this new album since they made their debut in 2005, City Sleeps has finally set in motion to release their first full-length. These five guys from Georgia have been taking their alterna-rock escapades on tour around the country, until they were noticed by Trustkill who wanted to release "Not An Angel." And seeing that several songs from the band were used on soundtracks to sports events, video games, and TV, I'm very quick to jump into this increasingly popular band's breakthrough record. I'm seeing these types of alternative rock albums more frequently. Meaning that the music is catchy and beautiful sounding, making it hard to hate; even with the rock genre so cluttered now-a-days. City Sleeps dices up some standard rock elements of guitars and acoustics with extra nuances that complete the picture. A little synth here, a bit of fiddling with harmony there, it's the little stuff that makes this album. while you aren't getting anything extraordinarily new, this tried and true rock method will always pop out shiny gems for your ears. Vocally, you will not find fault in Elliot's wide vocal range that is tested through out the album. Lyrically, this is what you would find on a random Hoobastank album (not bad), such as songs about girls, experiences and all the quintessential priorities of modern rock bands. Despite the core unoriginality, I can't get made at this type of music. It is carefree and executed beautifully. Finally getting off the ground, "Not An Angel" is filled with quirky extras and tried and true models for rock success. Light hearted and catchy, this will find its way into your head and stay there for a while. City Sleeps is on the rock radar people, make sure you pay attention.