ChristianMusicDaily

Cool Hand Luke is a punk rock band that got its start back in 1998 at Middle Tennessee State University. The band became known for playing with their backs to the crowd, employing lengthy, emotively expressive songs, along with deeply introspective lyrics. Today, Cool Hand Luke is gearing up for the release of their newest full-length album, "The Sleeping House", on Lujo Records. The album, produced by Matt Goldman and showing such diverse influences as Shudder to Think and Keane, is comprised of twelve piano-based songs of a depth, intensity, and relative darkness unseen before in Cool Hand Luke's work. The artwork-intensive album, complete with an enhanced CD, features comprehensive lyrics, explorations of each song, a music video, and in-depth exploration of the meanings contained within the decidedly cryptic artwork. The band has had an interesting journey-- their history reads like a good fiction novel.

Band forms in 1998 at Middle State University. Band signs to Floodgate Records in 2002. Band puts out two records. Band tours country with The Myriad, Norma Jean, Switchfoot, Anathallo, As Cities Burn (to name a few) and sells thousands of records. Band debuts at number 6 on the Billboard internet sales charts. Band takes hiatus. One member gets married and moves away; another goes off to college. Band reforms around single constant member, Mark Nicks, in 2006. Casey McBride and Joey Holman join band. Band tours more and has now played 46 states. Band releases The Balancing Act with Floodgate, fulfilling their contractual obligation. Floodgate folds during the release. Band is suddenly left with no label, no management, no booking agent. Band looses rehearsal space. Casey gets arms burned in grease accident. Band has no money and an almost finished record.

Time for the climax, right? Almost.

Cool Hand Luke signs to Lujo Records in 2008. They go back into the studio to finish their album which, they say, is the best sounding and best written album they've ever done. Casey's skin grafts take effect and he is able to play the bass again. They hit the road where they discover anew their loyal fanbase, desperate for a new recording. On October 14th the band answers, offering the world the true climax to this story, The Sleeping House.

The Sleeping House is band's stunning fifth studio LP. As is true with past releases, this record was born out of deep faith and convictions--something that immediately sets Cool Hand Luke apart from their colleagues. But the way this release differs from their past records far outweighs its similarities.  The Sleeping House represents a breakaway from a label that marketed their music strictly to a Christian audience (which was never something the band wanted), to a label that believes personal convictions are a part of every musicians art, and that their scope of appeal should not be limited by that.

Not only is faith implicit in the music, but listeners will also note a marked maturity that you would expect from a band that's been putting out records for 10 years. Songs are artfully constructed--piano-based and filled out with layered, shimmering guitars and bombastic hooks. Nicks' vocal delivery is powerful, his lyricism on par with what the band has become known, but here a relative darkness and intensity is expressed that has never before been seen in Cool Hand Luke's work. This quality sets The Sleeping House apart from past recordings and positions it to be their best release to date.

The Sleeping House was produced by Matt Goldman (Copeland,Underoath, Meg & Dia) and will be available worldwide via Lujo Records on October 14, 2008.