Other Music Exclusive! Almost a decade since we last heard from Sleepyhead, the onetime NYC indie rock staples are back. Now residing in Boston, Chris O'Rourke and Rachael McNally have been honing in on their pop sensibilities while working on a new album with producer Mike Deming (Pernice Brothers, Lilys). Old fans will be delighted with this new single, as well as followers of pop bands from the Shoes to Teenage Fanclub.

Almost a decade since Sleepyhead released The Brighter Shore, most probably assumed that the onetime Big Apple indie rock staples had called it a day. Turns out that it was only a long hibernation, with founding members Chris O'Rourke and Rachael McNally (who tied the knot shortly after the release of their last album) now residing in Boston, where they've been slowly piecing together a new full-length with producer Mike Deming (Pernice Brothers, Beachwood Sparks). Judging by this digital single, time has bode them well, Sleepyhead having honed their pop sensibilities into fine art with "The Family Tree," a joyous comeback built around some Byrds-ian jangle and lots of thick harmonies enshrouding O'Rourke's breathy tenor. The backing track, "Red Letter Daze," is a little more bittersweet but no less sun-kissed, filled with warm, yearning melodies and layers of chiming guitar and swirling organ. Old fans will not be disappointed, while followers of pop bands from the Shoes to Teenage Fanclub will no doubt place these two songs into heavy rotation. [GH] (March 28, 2008)