Unexpected good news arrives like a minor miracle, and Caffeine and Sleeping Pills provides a double dose. When Symbolic Interaction announced that it was going on a two-year hiatus, we feared that its roster would be doing the same. Thankfully, this is not the case. The other piece of good news is that Hopeless Local Marching Band, whose album Repeating Myself made a minor splash a few months ago, has drastically overhauled its sound and has produced a remarkably catchy pair of extended tracks, the second of which is one of 2012’s early post-rock highlights.
The new sound falls midway between that of ‘Olafur Arnalds and World’s End Girlfriend. Classical composition techniques also come into play. Strings cascade down the sides of the piano like sheets of rain on a wooden building. In “Caffeine”, a mid-piece breakdown leads to new melodic possibilities. In “Sleeping Pills”, the glockenspiel passes the baton to the violin, while electronic beats cede to live drums. Most importantly, Hopeless Local Marching Band refuses to play it safe, even when things are working out. Just as each track seems to coming to a close, it veers off a mountain: giant walls of feedback in “Caffeine” and a Mono-esque finale in “Sleeping Pills”. The latter track also features double-time tempos and Depression-era player piano: a welcome infusion of variety. It’s rare to hear an artist change timbre so swiftly, so severely, and so successfully.
When one risks big, one either wins big or loses big. Chalk this one up as a win. Caffeine and Sleeping Pills offers cheerful music, memorable melodies and playful execution. The only misstep is the title – this is caffeine through and through, with extra sugar, extra shots and a protein boost. These songs wake listeners up, keep them up, and make them glad to be alive. (Richard Allen)
a closer listen 