Team Sleep

What is it?  :  Team Sleep is the brainchild of Deftones frontman Chino Moreno.  For fans of Deftones who don’t usually gravitate toward the heavier end of the rock spectrum, Team Sleep offers proof-of-concept via disarmingly eclectic and melodic songs that borrow from new wave, trip-hop, and experimentalism.  And the supporting cast is extraordinary, including the likes of alt-rock goddess Mary Timony (Helium, Ex Hex) and San Diego indie godfather Rob Crow (Pinback).

Why isn’t it on vinyl?  :  My internet research has not turned up any version of this ever pressed on vinyl, and its release date of 2005 indicates that it came about at a time when records as a medium were all but dead – the renaissance was still a few years away from ramping up.

Why should it be?  :  One carryover from latter Deftones albums that did make it to Team Sleep is the use of atmospheric layering. Vocals come from all angles, synths and turntables create ambience, and the instrumentation is pitch-perfect – this is exactly the sort of album that will reveal new tones and textures on each listen when played on vinyl.