DOWNLOAD: Sleepyhead, "Whoville" (mp3)
Before Low and Bedhead made playing really slow an act of indie virtue (and virtuosity), there was Sleepyhead: a not egregiously sleepy band, but one whose noisy, shambolic-yet-deliberate pop felt identifiably post–Sonic Youth. Their nine-year run ended in '99; co-leaders Chris O'Rourke and Rachel McNally got married, procreated, and moved from NYC to Boston. Both are now teachers in the Newton school system. But they’re also making awesome music again: a Sleepyhead album called Red Letter Daze is in production. (Don't tell Buffalo Tom). From the demo pile, check out "Whoville." Then get ready for their comeback gig September 29 at the Middle East.