''Come Now Sleep'' was the second studio album by

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band

As Cities Burn As Cities Burn is an American post-hardcore band from Mandeville, Louisiana, that formed in 2002 and has released four studio albums. Their debut, '' Son, I Loved You at Your Darkest'', was released in 2005. Two years later, they released '' Co ...

, released on August 14, 2007, by Tooth & Nail/

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labels. ''Come Now Sleep'' was produced by Matt Goldman. The album saw commercial successes and positive critical attention.

Music and lyrics

Blake Soloman of

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said that "As Cities Burn made huge changes to their sound, and most of it works."

Cross Rhythms Cross Rhythms is a Christian media organisation based in Stoke-on-Trent, England. It operates an FM and online radio station, produces radio shows sent internationally, and its website has resources about contemporary Christian music. His ...

' Christian Cunningham wrote that "Throughout, the introspective, brooding songcraft gives the album a melancholic intensity. Lyrically there are some meaty subjects to chew on, lending the whole proceedings an even weightier air." At ''

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'', Dr. Tony Shore stated that "The melodies are much stronger, and the lyrics are so honest and real they can move you on their own. This is not fluff for folks sitting in the pews; these are songs about real life struggles, hope, failures and grace." In addition, Shore noted that "Musically, fans of As Cities Burn's debut will still find plenty of intensity on this heavy record and even a few screams here and there, but the style on most of the tracks has shifted." At Jesus Freak Hideout, Josh Tyler told that "''Come Now Sleep'' is no less intense than its predecessor however, which is a testament to the musical integrity of these guys, considering the decreased number of screams from one album to the next. ''Come Now Sleep'' also intensifies the melodic sense that ''Son, I Loved You at Your Darkest'' subtly, but surely contained, with choruses that read like anthems to be chanted and repeated over and over again."

Critical reception

''Come Now Sleep'' garnered generally positive reception by

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to critique the album. At

, Blake Soloman felt that "''Come Now Sleep'' confronts the listener with claims both believable and impossible." Christian Cunningham at

evoked that the release was "Intense, complicated and challenging; As Cities Burn made the right decision about carrying on." At ''

'', Dr. Tony Shore told that this album was "so much better than the bands debut", which this release was "Heavy, yet melodic and artful, ''Come Now Sleep'' won't let you rest for very long." Josh Taylor of Jesus Freak Hideout affirmed that the album was "different, but it's lush, unpredictable, and ultimately beautiful."

Commercial performance

For the ''

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'' charting week of September 1, 2007, ''Come Now Sleep'' was the No. 135 most sold album in the entirety of the United States by the ''Billboard'' 200 and it was the No. 5 Top Christian Album as well.

Track listing

Personnel

* Colin Kimble - bass * Cody Bonnette - guitar, vocals * Christopher Lott - guitar * Aaron Lunsford - drums * Pelle Henricsson – mixing * Eskil Lovestrom – mixing * Pelle Henricsson – mastering * Matt Goldman – production, engineering * Jordan Butcher – art direction, design, photos * Elizabeth Noble – cover painting * Chad Johnson – A&R

Charts

References

{{Authority control 2007 albums Tooth & Nail Records albums Solid State Records albums Albums produced by Matt Goldman