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Sleepy Kid: Lullabies For Macy Rose

Sleepy Kid is the moniker of Johnny Barker, aka Joey Henderson, serial killer of 'Shortland Street'. Barker has also been performing off-screen for a number of years and was part of Jester with friend and musical partner Jared Kahi. The pair wrote and perform all the tracks here, also helping themselves to the musical skills of Reb Fountain, Chrissy Diamond, Justin James and Rachel Wells. Production, mixing and mastering is by another former Jester Mark Grimes and Derek Metivier of Lucid 3 fame. As its name suggests this is an introspective singer-songwriter album, but Barker's voice, which is melodious with shades of Chris Martin in his intonation, easily raises it above much of the competition. Adept musicianship and layered lyrics give an edge, especially on Spiderman's Secret, which is ethereal and melancholic, the whispering, brushed rhythms providing a lighter touch. The gloomy acoustic sounds which are effective on tracks like the moody Wake Up For The Sun ultimately work to keep the album disappointingly safe. 'Lullabies for Macy Rose' is a lovely sounding debut with enough quirkiness to keep it from being bland, but for all that could have been something more special.

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