Jazzy, moody instrumentation courtesy of producer Steve Hindalong (whose stock has soared since City On A Hill) accompanies poetic yet direct lyrics carried by highly emotive vocals. The album kicks off with a full two-minute instrumental rock intro (other tracks follow similarly), which lets you know what to expect, sonically, from Wake Up O Sleeper: this is music that intentionally sets a specific tone, an atmosphere that the band wants for expressing its ideas. Mark Nicks' lead vocals are stirring and haunting, while the band is prone to taking extended instrumental breaks -- all of which adds to the gripping, dramatic quality of the music.

Topically, Cool Hand Luke approaches life from a fresh perspective, alternating between slice-of-harsh-life stories and moments of pure praise. "Heroes Will Be Heroes" shows us our lives from God's perspective, "Nobody Hugs A Rose" is about a lonely girl who can't find love, and "Dreams For Sale" is a warning against clinging too tightly to this life. Meanwhile, "So Shall It Be," "For You," and "O Shachah" are songs of worship, although showing more subtlety and personal meaning than that which fits into the traditional "worship chorus" mold.

- Robin Parrish