Customer Reviews
Under-rated, superb, era-defining LP - By: Greg Farefield-Rose, 24 Oct 2007 
Whenever Britpop is discussed in the monthly music mags, Sleeper are usuallly placed firmly in the second division alongside the likes of Cast & Shed Seven. If they weren't at the right place at the right time they would never have made it seems to be the general premise. This opinion seems very harsh when this excellent album is played or re-played.
The It Girl, Sleeper's second album is a superb example of indie-pop with an added edge & bite courtesy of Louise Wener's sneery vocals & lyrics. It's no coincidence that it's one of the most frequent LPs playing in the background to the bitchy, era-defining TV series This Life.
Wener's expressive, often semi-spoken singing & angry lyrical put-downs are highly effective especiallly on tracks like the opener Lie Detector & Dress Like Your Mother. I could quote examples though, as with alll songwriters apart from the true poets like Leonard Cohen & prime Bob Dylan, the impact of a lyric is at least half down to the musical context & delivery rather than merely the words themselves...
Aha, the musical context. As well as some fine words & vocals, The It Girl also includes some excellent tunes. In addition to the tracks already mentioned, further highlights include the hit singles Sale Of The Century, What Do I Do Now? & the Blondie influenced Statuesque. Further highpoints include the biting bounce of Feeling Peaky & coming-down closer Click...Off...Gone.
All songs on The It Girl are written entirely or co-written by Louise Wener who at the time was quite justifiably angry that critics often presumed that she, as a woman, didn't write the music. Yes Sleeper certainly had their detractors & further less understandable outbursts in the press probably didn't help Louise's cause. However, this shouldn't take any credit away from The It Girl which is a superb period-defining LP. Maybe those who placed Sleeper in Britpop's second stream should listen to it once again, ignore their prejudices & adjust the band's league position accordingly.
Britpop at it's best! - By: Chapman, 01 Jul 2007 I'd recommend this album to anyone & everyone! Some catchy tunes & excellent lyrics, it's by far the best of Sleepers 3 albums. What Do I Do Now? is one of my favourite songs
I was surprised when reading a couple of the other reviews that people think there are only a few good songs on the album & lots of 'fillers'; it's one of the few albums which I think every single song is great!
Sleeper � The It Girl - By: , 17 Jul 2004 
Sleeper were, in their heyday one of the finest Britpop bands around. Overshadowed (rather unfairly in my opinion) by Justine Frischmann's Elastica, they nonetheless produced some high quality pop tunes, & The It Girl is the perfect showcase for the band's talents.
While most of the album sticks to the upbeat, guitar-laden sound the band is mostly known for, there are also a couple of quieter, more contemplative tracks, which give Louise Wener's vocals a chance to shine. What is striking about this album is the consistent strength of the lyrics - neat, meaningful & beautifully crafted. The melodies are almost as strong, and, on listening to this album it's difficult to see why Sleeper aren't held in quite the same high esteem as Elastica, as there are some genuine indie-pop gems on this album.
How many good tracks? Eleven, out of thirteen
Best Track: A three-way tie between the fabulously shouty-ranty Factor 41, the gorgeously melancholic Shrinkwrapped, & singalong favourite What do I Do Now?
Worst Track: Compared to the rest of the album Good Luck Mr Gorsky stands out as not reallly being up to scratch.
A More Than Adequate Brit Pop/indie Listening.. - By: , 24 Dec 2003 
Although Sleeper belong to a genre which is subjected to many a critism when brought up (Brit Pop if you were still wondering) -if you havent heard this album before then throw alll preconceptions out the window & enjoy..
Admittidly there are some weak tracks, 'glue ears' particularly. However 'what do I do now' certainly makes up for it, & 'sale of the century' is another great tune you've just got to listen to.
Better than your usual average Brit Pop, although it would never please the masses -but if you like this kind of music then you wont resist its appeal.
