Dopesmoker

Infobox Album
Name = Dopesmoker
Type = studio
Artist = Sleep


Released = April 22, 2003
Recorded = Record Two Studio in Comptche, California
Genre = Stoner metal, doom metal
Length = 73:07 (CD)
62:29 (2LP)
Label = Tee Pee
Producer = Billy Anderson, Sleep
Reviews = show
1=Allmusic Rating|4.5|5
2=Review by Ed Rivadavia
Publication date: Unknown
[http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:wzfexqtaldae~T0 External link] show
1="Mojo" Rating|5|5
2=Unknown reviewer
Publication date: November 2003
Last album = "Jerusalem"
(1999)
This album = "Dopesmoker"
(2003)
Next album =

"Dopesmoker" is the final album from the American metal band Sleep, released in April 22, 2003. Produced by both the band and Billy Anderson, the album went through problems with their label London Records who refused to release the album as the band intended which led to the album being released in a truncated format years later. The album had an official release in its original form by Tee Pee Records long after the band had broken up.

Production

After the positive review from the heavy metal press and release of "Sleep's Holy Mountain" (1992) on Earache Records, the label announced Sleep's follow-up record titled "Dopesmoker".Earache Staff. [http://www.earache.com/bands/sleep/sleep.html "Sleep"] earache.com.com. Retrieved: May 19, 2008.] Tee Pee Staff. [http://teepeerecords.com/bands/sleep/index.php "Tee Pee Records - Bands"] teepeerecords.com. Retrieved: May 19, 2008.] Rivadavia, Ed [http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:kiftxqr5ld0e~T1 "allmusic ((( Sleep > Biography )))"] allmusic.com. Retrieved: May 19, 2008.] The album was not released on Earache however as Sleep's management got them signed to a major label for London Records. After almost two years of writing and re-writing, Sleep finished with a song over an hour long titled "Dopesmoker" which led to problems with the executives of London Records who declared the album "unmarketable". Sleep refused to have the album be released in any edited form, leading to a deadlock between two groups. Sleep attempted to re-release the album retitling it "Jerusalem" with some re-written lyrics and slightly shortened running length of fifty-two minutes. The album was never officially released by London, but an unauthorized edited version was released by Rise Above Records in 1999 under the title "Jerusalem" (1999) in the United Kingdom and by The Music Cartel in America.

Release and reception

"Dopesmoker" was released on April 22, 2003 by Tee Pee Records on compact disc and double vinyl.Rivadavia, Ed. [http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:wzfexqtaldae "allmusic ((( Dopesmoker > Overview )))"] allmusic.com. Retrieved: May 19, 2008.] "Dopesmoker" failed to reach any Billboard charts and wasn't reviewed by many popular music critics, although it received very positive reviews from those who did. Ed Rivadavia of online music database Allmusic gave the album four and a half stars out of five stating "Dopesmoker" is at once an instant doom metal classic — some might even say a masterpiece". In 2003, the British music magazine "Mojo" gave the album a rating of 5 out of 5 stars stating that "Dopesmoker" as "A benchmark by which all that dares call itself stoner rock must surely be judged..""Mojo" staff. [http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=5748303 "Sleep Dopesmoker CD"] cduniverse.com. Retrieved: May 19, 2008.] Rock musician/musicologist Julian Cope also praised the album declaring it his "Album of the Month" in April 2004.

Track listing

All music written and composed by Sleep.

CD version

#"Dopesmoker" – 63:31
#"Sonic Titan (live)" – 9:36

Vinyl version

The vinyl version of "Dopesmoker" has the song "Dopesmoker" split into three parts. The song stays the same but is cut off between the first three sides of the record. "Sonic Titan" is also 39 seconds shorter than on the compact disc version of the album.Cope, Julian. [http://www.headheritage.com/unsung/albumofthemonth/1058 "Julian Cope Presents Head Heritage | Unsung | Album of the Month | Sleep - Dopesmoker"] http://www.headheritage.com/. Retrieved: May 19, 2008.]

#"Drop Out of Life" – 21:10
#"Creedsmen Roll Out Across the Dying Dawn" – 20:11
#"Marijuanaut" – 21:08
#"Sonic Titan (live)" – 8:57

Personnel

Band

* Al Cisneros – vocals, bass guitar
* Matt Pike – guitar
* Chris Hakius – drums

Technical personnel

* Sleep – producer, liner notes
* Billy Anderson – producer, engineer
* Mark Keaton – mastering
* Arik Roper – artwork

Release history

Notes

External links

* [http://www.headheritage.com/unsung/albumofthemonth/1058 Indepth Review] by Julian Cope
* " [http://www.teepeerecords.com/bands/sleep/ Dopesmoker] " at Tee Pee Records