Description

Leaving Trains – Sleeping Underwater Survivors – Cassette

Leaving Trains’ Sleeping Underwater Survivors, released in 1991, is a compelling album that combines post-punk, alternative rock, and touches of psychedelia. Known for their energetic and often unpredictable style, Leaving Trains deliver a raw and introspective exploration of personal struggle, societal alienation, and survival. The band, led by the charismatic Falling James Moreland, creates a vivid, sometimes chaotic, soundscape that captures the alternative rock spirit of the early 90s while staying true to their roots in the punk and post-punk underground scene of Los Angeles.

Sleeping Underwater Survivors is characterized by its diverse range of musical influences, blending punk’s gritty intensity with alternative rock’s reflective edge. The album’s guitar work moves between jangly, reverb-laden riffs and heavier, more distorted sections, giving each track a distinct mood. The rhythm section provides a solid backbone, with driving bass lines and percussion that shift between upbeat punk rhythms and slower, more contemplative grooves.

Lyrically, Moreland’s writing is both introspective and abstract, with themes of existential survival, emotional turmoil, and personal resilience. His vocal delivery is raw and emotive, oscillating between deadpan narration and fervent expression. The title Sleeping Underwater Survivors hints at the album’s theme of enduring hardships and emerging from dark times, capturing a sense of perseverance and introspection.

Produced with a raw, DIY aesthetic that reflects the underground scene, Sleeping Underwater Survivors captures the immediacy and intensity of Leaving Trains’ sound. The production enhances the album’s moody, lo-fi quality, giving each track a rough edge that complements the themes of struggle and resilience. The instrumentation has a live, unfiltered feel, emphasizing the album’s authenticity and emotional depth.

Sleeping Underwater Survivors received praise from alternative rock and punk fans for its unpolished honesty and depth. It holds a unique place within the early 90s alternative scene, appreciated for its introspective approach and genre-blending style. Although Leaving Trains remained more of an underground act, the album is seen as a cult favorite, particularly among fans of post-punk and alternative rock.

Sleeping Underwater Survivors stands as a testament to the resilience and introspective nature of Leaving Trains. For those seeking raw, emotionally resonant music with a punk attitude and alternative edge, this album remains a rewarding listen. Its themes of survival and personal growth, wrapped in a moody and rebellious soundscape, continue to resonate with listeners exploring the depth and diversity of early 90s rock.

Brand new, never played and still sealed in the factory plastic seal

SST Records

Track Listing
1. I Love You
2. Walk Like A River
3. Suicide Blues
4. Relapse, Recover
5. What Was Left Was Red
6. Hurting Word
7. Come
8. Room At The Bottom
9. Extinction