The album recording commenced during the notoriously long, hot summer of 1976 at the equally notorious KONK Studios in London. Released in February the following year, the album marked a significant change for the group as it moved away from the theatrical and conceptual work that had characterized their output in the early 1970s. Sleepwalker marked a return to a more conventional, traditional rock and roll sound, with a polished contemporary production and an emphasis on accessible melodic rock. The new approach was well received and marked a commercial revival for the group, particularly in the US, where the album reached #21 on the Billboard 200 chart. Critics praised the straightforward rock sound and Ray Davies’ characteristic witty and observational songwriting style. Key singles and tracks, Sleepwalker, Juke Box Music, and Life on the Road, reflect and explore themes of escapism, identity, the music industry and life on the road. “Sleepwalker” has recently been remastered from all original 1/4 inch tapes.
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