Sprog - Bedtime

Sprog 

Bedtime
self-released; 2017

​3.4 out of 5

By Jamie Funk

Henry Scanlan aka Sprog is a recent college graduate who recently released a lo-fi effort entitled Bedtime. My first thought went to the underrated Beck album One Foot in the Grave. 

​There is a similar production aesthetic and dragging melancholy although Bedtime has a lot of production issues related to mixing and recording that On Foot in the Grave does not possess. There is a harsh amount of digital distortion at points; the vocals either sit on top of the mix or too far below, along with a couple of other issues. 

Scanlan's biggest success comes on the first song “Sleepyheads” largely in part to  the catchy vocal melodies. A rickety guitar and dampened beat play while Scanlan sings, “We stayed in bed ’til noon / shooting shit sleepyheads / Lucid dream have a snooze this is what we do best.”

I think the runtime between the first and second song should have been switched. In the three minutes on “Murmurations” not too much changes from the chords he picks to the beat. Up next is “News” which fares better than ““Murmurations.” The song has more energy and he takes advantage of his vocals which are the best thing about this music. Unfortunately the song has a number of issues including getting off time but the main one was the digital distortion which did not fare well for my eardrums. Digital distortion is not your friend I promise. 

“Stuck With You” is thirty seconds of piano and singing which had potential to become a full fledged song. He closes with “Bedtime” which I believe signifies the actual process. It sort of sounds like you are going to sleep. 

Bedtime is Scanlon’s first effort and certainly shows potential. I think a little bit more experience in the production department and fleshing out some of the songs and he should be well on his way. I’m looking forward to his development.

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