Racingpaperplanes is the kind of band that offers nothing musically revolutionary, or even particularly striking, but serve as a vital first step away from FM dross. Accordingly, Self Sleep Service is, on the whole, a competent album, but disappointing for its general lack of memorable or sophisticated songs. There are a few golden spots: opener "Kingdom of Sin" sways serenely to the album's best melody, shuffling with gentle, artful drumming. "Melt to One"'s lead guitar riff is a triumphant firmament-shaker, its chorus melody a descending, humbly beautiful progression.

Unfortunately, Racingpaperplanes quickly shift to generic, folky alt-country, and the results are far less satisfying. More precisely, their arrangements are less deftly handled and more simplistic. "TV Drone" and "Have You Given Up on your Heart" have pretty melodies, but their framing -- two step bass work and uniform arrangements of acoustic guitar, light drumming and mournful singing -- is uninspired, and certainly isn't varied enough to be memorable.

Racingpaperplanes don't make a strong case for their particular uniqueness -- particularly in an alt-country landscape that's saturated with similar bands. Self Sleep Service is an easily approachable, well-executed album, but its dearth of distinctive songs makes it just as easy to forget.