Welcome to the meandering musical insights of Aaron Joy (me!), formerly known as the Roman Midnight Music Blog. Here you'll find nearly 750 reviews of CDs & DVDs of rock & metal in all its variations, mainstream & indie, good & bad, U.S. & foreign. A new review every Monday.

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October 13, 2011

Tired Wings ~ While You Were Sleeping (album review) ... The wolf king meets Rev. Mongoose!


Style: hard rock, heavy metal, blues-rock
Label: self-released
Year: 2011
Home: New York City

Members: Charles "Rev. Mongoose" Canedo ~ vocals/guitar/bass
Luis Cambrero ~ drums

Guest: Jose Cambrero ~ percussion
There's so many ways to look at this latest album by TW: as their former bassist, though I left long before this set of songs were written; or, in light of TW's first two releases, though they are all incredibly different musically & are EP's compared to this first full-length; or, in light of the fact that TW has deliberately aimed for something different with each release as they walk their creative path; or, just ignore all of the above & listen to it within its own context. It's probably the most difficult choice I've faced in reviewing an album! In terms of the music, speaking as a former bandmate & still calling the guys friends, TW has moved a long way in a relatively short amount of time in terms of style & creativity. The riffs are still fairly basic, heavier on groove than flash, which also includes the drums which are less flashy but also more solid than previous releases, though the bluesy roots & Motorhead wannabe moments have finally slipped out of sight. The songwriting remains grounded instead of floating in philosophical confusion. Lyrical frontman Charles 'Mongoose' Canedo has a tendency to write songs about characters such as menacing beasts on a quest in "Wolf King" & "Mammoth", a wild night girl in "Crown Of Fire", the beloved Catholic saint in "Saint Christopher", a mysterious troubled lover in "While You Were Sleeping", a friend needing a kick in the pants with the lyrically simple "Drive", "Down For The Cause" is a prod to fellow NYC bands & even the songwriter comes into the spotlight in "Crossroads" which also is a message to others to respect & love themselves in a unique turn of the Mississippi sell your soul legend. Though, at the same time, the objects of discussion are not so obvious. Is it really St. Christopher under the microscope, particularly with the very un-Christian sounding spoken word injection "Welcome to the house of the Mongoose" during an instrumental break? Are the wolf king & mammoth beasts or actually humbled men on creative & spiritual quests? In light of the band's first two releases While You Were Sleeping neither has the blues of their first EP nor the experimental metal of the second, though opening track "Wolf King" does feature ethnic drums courtesy of Jose Cambrero, the father of blazing away as always drummer Luis Cambrero. Actually, While You Were Sleeping probably has the most distinct personality of their three releases as gone are the influences & arriving is a sound unique to TW with a low end rumble running through all the riffing that shifts the focus of the songs away from the solos to the overall feeling. TW has also gotten much heavier without getting complicated, both in terms of guitars & drums ... complication being what one might have expected. This is an album that defies expectations. To honestly compare the three releases is quite difficult as it's not so much that each features a different personality but it also feels like a different band - though it's always been the same two guys along with continuing the tradition of not having a bassist available beyond the gigs for the recordings. But, now, the band seems more comfortable with the fact that the bass is not by an elusive outsider with the basslines seemingly written as part of the process & not added afterwards because nobody was available. This has also given an evenness to the sound of the album that was missing on the first two albums. While You Were Sleeping sounds like parts to a whole not a collection of varied songs. In terms of defying expectations is the inclusion of two instrumental tracks "Shadow Cast" & "Dronology", though both are odd little tunes that sounds more like improvisations that wants to be Hendrix or a demo than finished tracks.

30 comments:

  1. so... do you like it ? is it something worth getting? I got 3 of the songs when it was free on reverbnation back in August. I thought the songs Mammoth and Crown of Fire has its throw back to the first 2 E.P's

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  2. I think it's great that the guys have finally put instrumentals on their albums. If they ever wanted to "dronology " or "Shadow Cast" could be perfect for an intro before they take the stage.

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  3. I can't make heads or tails with this review. It does sound different from the first two but I can't tell if your saying its a good thing or a bad thing. Down for the Cause sounds like it can be on either one of the EP's and I can see Crown of Fire in the second EP, it reminds me of Sloburn.

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  4. I have seen all 3 reviews so far, I even heard the interview you did with Tired Wings. Now I will have to see what is the deal with this band. I only heard there music from your interview you did with them a few months ago. But i can't tell if you like the new material or not base on this review.

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  5. Just got this CD from the Sullivan Hall show in September and I think this CD has a blues vibe in the songs like While You Were Sleeping , Shadow Cast, Down for the Cause and my favorite song Crown of Fire has the blues in it. I say this CD has more of a Black Sabbath tone and sound. It took me a second go around to take this in but I can see the connection of Mammoth and Scorpion.

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  6. As a friend of the band I saw myself taken by surprised in a good way to hear musical growth. The rawness is there still and certain songs like Wolf King, Dronoly and While You Were Sleeping added to the Tired Wings sound. Crown of Fire and Drive has that vibe from the 2nd CD. Down for the Cause and St Christopher reminds me of the 1st CD. CrossRoads has Motorhead written all over it , especially the break with only the basss and drums. I think the stand out is Mammoth , live this song is amazing especially when Scorpion is played right before it. Moving back to Las Vegas makes me miss the band and my friends in NYC even more. I do agree with some of the readers in a sense that this review does not say if its a good thing or a bad thing. But as disjointed as this particular review goes I always enjoyed Aarons reveiws especially the writting on D-A-D and The August Infinity

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  7. Jeremy , San FranciscoOctober 16, 2011 at 3:57 PM

    As a new fan I can see where this review is coming from. It is an album that is different and at the same time the same band. What I get from this review is that it a solid record that is consistent. I have yet to see them in NYC and only caught them in LA @ The Roxy & Key Club. I do know the remaining constant member is Charles and Im guessing he is the song writer, I will listen to Aarons blog talk and get more of an insight. On that note I like Crossroads and Down For The Cause, it has that AC/DC and Motorhead vibe that is really loved on the west coast.

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  8. Domino , Hells Kitchen , NYCOctober 16, 2011 at 7:00 PM

    Just done reading this and already tons of feedback. I have to agree this album does defy expectations and has its own personality next to the 2 EP's . I think the instrumentals and heavy bass sound only add to the versatility of the band. Yeah !!! Yeah !!! Yeah !!!

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  9. Well done my brothers !!!! This is a good review to a totally good solid record. I had Tired Wings open up for my band and they know how to set the party right. It could be Whiskey to Go , Mountain Song or Down for the Cause , ( which is my favorite song on this CD by the way ). A no nonsense review for a no nonsense band. Kudos to both..... Now where is my whiskey !!

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  10. Just saw the link to this article from the bands Face Book page. Good review and a honest one. I do agree what I expected was different and this CD took me by surprised. Very heavy and groove but still has that Tired Wings style. Finally I am able to hear there Sabbath and Circus of Power influenced. My favorite is the Motorhead style song CrossRoads.

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  11. Same here , I saw it on the bands Facebook page. I love the dark tone and sexual element of the song While You Were Sleeping. It makes me think of the Mongoose even more. I totally dig Dronology , it reminds me of those 70's horror flicks

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  12. Just got into this band recently from a friend of mine who was blasting this at his party a few weeks back. I need to get the other 2 CD's. I love the writing of this review, it is a honest feedback like this that I enjoy. I cant wait to read more of the reviews on this website. Wolf King and Mammoth just totally knocks me for a loop

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  13. I have to agree with the review, it is a well grounded record and went beyond my expectations. I was a expecting weed references when I first heard they were doing a full length. To my surprised not one weed reference. I am attach to the first 2 EPs , and I love my Road We Call Life and Scorpion and Average Soul. But I also dig Down For the Cause , Mammoth and Drive. The production of this record made the album very even and solid indeed. The last song makes me want to fornicate with the singer. Those lyrics can make any woman go crazy !!!

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  14. I caught these guys @ Dingbats in NJ and they were the most down to earth and solid bands of that night. Very impressive review and I will be picking up this CD when I see them next time.

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  15. Maybe, just maybe, I'm being too brutal here but I think your review hints at the fact that there is some animosity in you towards the band. The end of your review particularly shows this. As for the review, I can't tell if you're trying to feign praise or you're fighting back giving them their due credits. PS you use in light of too much.

    Respectfully, Berserker.

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  16. Verushka , Domincian RepublicOctober 17, 2011 at 1:12 AM

    I do like the review and I can see why this was a challenging review cause the album is different. Aaron does has his forum and he can chose what he writes , and the feedback section is just for that. I enjoy he blunt reviews which is why I like to read this. I was turn onto oman Midnight Music through Charles and I am please to see the reviews have piled up. The frienship between Tired Wings and Aaron looks pure and I am sure the band wont like to hear all of the negatives of a solid review. It is true... this CD is different and it is different in a good way.

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  17. Starting my moning by reading another honest review by Aaron "the mad man" Joy. I saw him play in the very early period with Tired Wings and he does have an insight of the band in a way that not many would know. It is cleary that Roman Midnight Music and Tied Wings have mutual respect for eachother, lets hope some of the Tired Wings fans can follow the words of Rev. Mongoose... " Love Yourself and Respect You Self". That said the CD is honest and so is this review.

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  18. When will you guys come up north ?
    Got the CD this morning , totally new sound. You guys got heavy like Sabbath. Totally shock me !!!

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  19. A good and honest read, nice commentary . It is good to know that former band mates can still be professional and friends and keep a balance. Im new to the Tired Wings stuff and Roman Midnight Music. I will check out the other stuff here.

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  20. Just got this CD and was really impress with the CD art wok and presentation. This is a big production here, different direction but also solid effort. You guys got heavy in the Bitish sound. Cheers ...

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  21. I think this is the best disc to have come out by a local band in years.The music is honest and to the point.In your review you seem to have some kind of resentment towards them.I hope that's not because it didn't work out with you and them or is it....

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  22. To Mark After Dark - Not a hint of resentment is in this review. Leaving the band I was able to get far closer to what I wanted to do with my music than I ever could playing with any band. Personally, I'm not really big on playing live and never have been so what resentment would I hold? Charles and I talk regularly and I'm quite proud of his success.

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  23. 1. To Aiden, Cambridge - Yes, it's nice to see TW do a full-length formal release allowing them to fully develop the artwork/packaging.

    2. To Frank, Ohio - Thanks for not ripping me apart and seeing my honesty. hah My goal here is to make someone interested. That's my only goal, not pass judgment on a band but people are reading into my writing thoughts which aren't there and I didn't write in-between the lines. At least, they are honest in disagreeing.

    3. Corina, Canada - Thanks for supporting the band.

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  24. 1. To Brenda, NJ - I have a reputation for honesty. You may disagree with everything I write and even my selection in my albums to review but the one thing I think everyone will agree is I try and I'm honest. I'm not doing this to impress anyone with my literary skills. I don't shit on a band for the fun of it or rave about something I don't like. I give you my thoughts and perceptions and then want you to go out and write the next chapter. Thanks for backing up my review. "Mad Man", wow, you DO know me and that's a rare moment seeing me in concert! I did TW's 3/4th shows and was there when Charles was laying down part of the first EP in the studio. I was there in a carnal part of the band, if anything, I'll confess that I left partly because I wanted to gig more! Charles and I are buddies. I love the guy. He's also been there with me for some recent personal troubles. But, he also knows I'm not going to rave about his album if I think there's room for improvement. That wouldn't be a friend that would be a fan. I want him to also always do better. That's what these reviews are about. Sharing, discovery and learning from each other. Lou Reed once said he's trying to find the perfect sound and would play a D chord for hours. I'm trying to find the perfect album by listening to them all and finding out what's good and bad.

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  25. 1. To Verushka, Dominican Republic - Thanks so much for the support. The truth is that the comments only pile up when someone doesn't like something. I get hundreds of readers a day from across the globe, like yourself, but few comments ... people either don't care or like what I say. I have a particular style and if you get into that my reviews may make more sense than if you just read one or two. Yes, I keep the reviews chugging out, though at times it's time-comsuming and maybe they aren't always top notch. And, sometimes after the fact I might feel differently - as our listening tastes change - but since I don't edit reviews after the fact you won't know this. And, I've started a second blog of interviews which you can find a link to on the right! Charles & Luis of Tired Wings are my buddies. End of story. I may be "blunt" with the music, but Charles & Luis are blunt with me. I expect nothing less from my friends than the truth. If you don't give me the truth the friendship is then an ego petting game that isn't a friendship & I don't need my ego pet. And, Charles doesn't either. Actually, he's written to me saying he appreciates the honesty as it pushes him to do better.

    2. To Berserker - Wow, I really just don't know where people are getting these feelings of animosity towards the band. Because I said something negative I have animosity? Is that it? I'm totally lost on the math here. No, I'm honest and thus it should be proof that I have no animosity! I treat TW the same as every other band reviewed here. All bands are equal. Once you treat some bands better than others you lose your credibility as a writer. If you want bullshit reviews read Rolling Stone! If I had animosity to TW I would completely ignore them, not review their music and go to the shows! If I just praised them & gave them special status or made you think I'm their #1 fan you'd think I was bullshitting you & my credentials as a reviewer would be mud. If I said horrible horrible things about them everyone would know I was also bullshitting. I'm sorry, but reality is that one has mixed feelings about things, friend or foe. That's not animosity, that's honestly and integrity. I had a great time playing with TW and maybe it'll happen again. I'm very successful now & so are there. As for "giving them their due". Right your own blog, praise them as wonderful across the board & everyone will know you're full of dishonest crap. No band is 100% wonderful. If you think your favorite band is then you've stopped listening to them long ago. I'm not going to pretend that TW is the exception to the rule. As for using "in light of" too much ... I have 8 books out & am a former newspaper daily columnist. What's your resume? I also use the word "albeit" quite a lot, thanks for not pointing that out. But, if you'd like to get on the phone with me you'll see that my writing very much matches my speaking. Please send me a link to your blog so I can read your review of TW. But, then, I've learned never attack a band somebody likes. This isn't the first time. Alas.

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  26. In the end this sounds more like a commentary moe than a review. I recently recieved all 3 copies in the mail on Friday and the only difference it seems like the production on the first 2 has a Rolling Stone esque swagger , while the latest opus has a really tight production in the vein of Metallica's Black Album. I do like St. Christopher

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  27. 1. To Israel - my reviews tend to be very commentary-esque if you read them regularly. It's an unusual train of thought approach I've found goes over well ... well, except for this review!

    2. To Randi - Charles loves to perform. They put on a good show. Just saw them last week with a real old school set that was one of the best shows I've seen them do.

    3. To Radiah - Thanks for the support. Subliminal weed messages, I'm sure. Fornicate with the singer? What's your number?! haha.

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  28. 1. To Annastasia - I don't know. Do you think it's worth getting? I'm a former member of the member, no matter what I say I'm biased, but you're the fan. In a way my vote is the least important. They've got my support even if they never release another album.

    2. To Bryan - Yeah, some good music to share with folks. Some albums you're embarressed to share with friends, TW certainly not. Thanks for seeing that I'm trying to be as honest & unbiased as possible, though if I say I hate it I'll be tagged as being anti-social to a friend but if I say I love it I'll be seen as saying something good just because it's a friend. Charles knows how I work & that's what's important & those reading these reviews that personally know me know how I work. With all these comments maybe I should avoid writing about people I know! haha.

    3. To Colleen - I didn't care for "Dronology" myself, but hey it's not about all agreeing! It doesn't matter what you like to rock out to just as long as you rock out! Yeah yeah yeah!

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  29. To Peter in NYC - Thanks for the support ... the agreement is nice too. Interesting that you would mention Circus Of Power as an influence. I just recently discovered them and reviewed them here. When I heard them I immediately wondered if Charles knew this band as they sound so much like TW.

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  30. 1. To Anya in NYC ~ "If they ever wanted to "dronology " or "Shadow Cast" could be perfect for an intro before they take the stage." Great advice, Anya. As I say often, a different context can enhance a song. Very perceptive of you, as always.

    2. To Christine in NYC ~ "I can't make heads or tails with this review. It does sound different from the first two but I can't tell if your saying its a good thing or a bad thing." I don't think my writing is so confusing, but maybe what you're looking for is a definite answer or a definite opinion ... as is what a lot of reviewers do ... to sell or destroy a band & feed you information so you don't have to make up your own mind. I don't do this. I don't want to feed you my likes or dislikes & make your ears match mine. I want to get you interested. If me waffling gets you interested to investigate further that's far better than if I said it was good or bad & you walked away without listening to anything.

    3. To Domonic ~ "I have seen all 3 reviews so far, I even heard the interview you did with Tired Wings. Now I will have to see what is the deal with this band" Now, that's what I want to hear! You got everything I do! "But I can't tell if you like the new material or not base on this review." Personally, its not my favorite album of the three, but does that matter? I've got my copy of the album already - do you? I've heard it already - have you? If I'm getting you interested then who cares what I think. If you enjoy it or hate it is up to you. The sad thing is - if I said I didn't like it much as the other albums & didn't do a review Charles would get on my case about why. Everyone reader would also get on my case as a bad reviewer having not taste - even if I did review the other albums well. If I praised it anyone whose familiar with my work would see I was not being honest because I know the band. So, you got something a bit unclear. You got politically correct written honesty that needs some interpretation.

    4. To Chandler in NYC - I tend to think of Motorhead because we tended to rehearse a song by them. But, certainly, Black Sabbath. But, what band isn't inspired by them? Charles will tell you Geezer is my guy.

    5. To Rachael in Las Vegas - Thanks for listening and your descriptive thoughts. You did a mini-review in a way I can't. I can't get that personal & still remain objective. Thanks for enjoying my reviews. Every band is different & thus all the reviews are different & if you leave that territory than it becomes more about the reviewer than the music. Some of my reviews are good, some are bad. Some are rushed, some are thought over. Thanks for seeing the big picture & not completely criticizing my work of over 300 reviews based on one.

    6. To Jeremy in San Francisco - Solid & consistent. I like that. Charles & drummer Luis are the consistent members in the beginning 'era' of the band. Charles is the only songwriter.

    7. To Domino in NYC - Thanks for your words, faithful fan of the band since day one & beyond.

    8. To Jimmy in NYC - "A no nonsense review for a no nonsense band." You rock.

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