Customer Reviews

Dreamt for Light Years in the Belly of a Mountain

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

It's been five long years since Sparklehorse's "It's A Wonderful Life," which is probably the most "ordinary" album Mark Linkous has ever produced. But the mysterious Linkous returns to his peak with "Dreamt For Light Years in the Belly of a Mountain," his fourth album full of unpredictable indie-rock.

The title should show you how likely it is that we'll hear Sparklehorse on mainstream radio. And true to its name, "Dreamt For Light Years..." is like a dream -- a wild, unpredictable, sad and exquisite dream, which is sure to captivate listeners who want music to be an experience.

It opens with fuzz, blips and mellotron, and then Linkous starts singing, "Your face is like the sun/sinking into the ocean/your face is like watching flowers/growing in fast motion..." The grimy guitar and swelling strings kick in, for a charmingly upbeat little song that lulls you into the right frame of mind for the remaining songs. Of course, it's not really upbeat -- it's all about Linkous pleading with his lover not to leave him.

Having lulled you into the Linkous Zone, the album gets stranger and more appealing as it progresses -- the shimmering folk "Shade and Honey," meditative folk, classic indie-rock, and jagged lo-fi rockers. This is weird, wonderful music, with the pleading love son It finishes with the title track, a ten-minute piano instrumental full of sadness and exquisite beauty.

Though "It's A Wonderful Life" was the last Sparklehorse album, this one owes a lot more to his masterpiece "Good Morning Spider." Okay, the album is apparently not about near-death experiences, but Linkous still sounds sad and surreal here, with no nods to convention. Even when he tries to be upbeat, he sounds like his heart is breaking.

He also doesn't mess with the instruments that work: grimy lo-fi guitar and folky indierock, with some charming harmonies, smooth strings and some electroblips, courtesy of Danger Mouse, and Flaming Lips drummer Steven Drozd. At first glance you'd think that they would overwhelm Linkous, but their additions are more like putting a pretty frame around a masterpiece.

His vocals haven't changed either -- falsetto and very despairing, and even when he's doing Flaming Lips-style harmonies, he sounds despairing. The lyrics match up with this -- there's a childlike simplicity to Linkous's emotions, but they are wrapped up in poetic lyrics and peculiar imagery.

It's been five years, but Mark Linkous has not lost even a little bit of his magic touch -- in a year flooded with many wretched albums, this quietly downbeat album is a triumph.

This is the type of music I typically wouldn't care for. The music is electronic and airy, and the singer's voice a little too sweet and fragile for my taste. I must say, though, that the disc is very good. The songs are layered, complex, and the album unfolds nicely. After a couple of spins, I found myself really enjoying the music and the mood it creates. To me, the only negative is the 10+ minute wordless final song, with soft, dreamy melodies that would have made a nice 2-3 minute finale but don't quite keep my interest for the entire duration.

With breathtaking range, a heartfelt sensability that doesn't annoy, great ideas, lyrics and melodies, Sparklehorse strums his way into his fifth or so album, with beautiful nonchalence. But don't be decieved. This is a rich, interesting, complete album. All the trimmings. And maybe the first time since Vivadixie that he's had rendered emotions so bare.

Sparklehorse has always been a favorite of mine. Mark Linkous has been one of the most important American songwriters in the past ten years. He put out a great album five years ago. He collaborated with many famous people. He toured for a few years. He spent some time producing records by other people. He was doing some soundtrack work. It is refreshing to hear something new by him after all these years. Right off the bat it sound simpler and stripped down. It sounds like Linkous playing most of the instruments himself. "Don't Take My Sunshine Away" has a Beatles vibe. Much of the album returns to "Dear Prudence" like arpeggios. This album is much more intimate. "Shade and Honey" sounds like a song that could have been on the previous album. But there are no studio tricks. It's mostly voice, guitar, and keyboards, and drums. I am guessing that Scott Minor is playing on this. "See The Light" has a guitar sound that simple, pure, and beautiful. "Return To Me" is like the oldest music from a warm place. "Some Sweet Day" is the only song that sounds weird and layered. Sparklehorse occasionally has a hard rocking tune like "Pig." On this album it is called "Ghost In The Sky." There is a second one called "It's Not So Hard." I noticed that this album refers to things long gone. I met Mark Linkous a few years ago. He was a real nice fellow. "Morning Hollow" sounds like one of those songs where there is nothing left to say. I like these kinds of records. These allow some much room for dreams.

I like the new pop-ness about it. A yummy 10 minute instramental makes me totally space out. I very much like it. Mark Linkous did it again. (but this time more happy).
Anyway, I love this band. The album is no let-down.

Oh, heavens. Every song, every moment was worth waiting for.

True enough, I can't be subjective. I'm a huge Sparklehorse fan. But the work is gorgeous, richly-textured and eloquent. There's a majesty to Mark Linkous' lo-fi, ultra-shiny pop magic and you need to open yourself to it and to suspend your expectations. It's worth it.

The entire Sparklehorse catalog is incredible. This album is not my favorite among them, but is still several levels above the vast majority of modern music. If you've liked other Sparklehorse efforts, you'll certainly enjoy seeing where things have gone on this latest work. If you're new to Sparklehorse, please purchase this and the earlier albums. I wish Mark Linkous would tour a little more to promote his music... (Mark?)

I love the music on this one. "Ghost in the Sky", "Mountains", "Knives of Summertime" are amazing. Best music he's done. The words are not up to "Wonderful Life" level, but I can't argue with the music.

Not sure what "Morning Hollow" is doing on here, though. Seems to break up the flow too much. It's a good song, but this is the exact same version from "Wonderful Life". I'd advise skipping it -- album plays better just listening to the pop tunes.

Haunting, lyrical, with melodies that will stick in your head upon first listening...a masterpiece of post-rock/post-pop songwriting. In my top 10 faves of 2006.

i have everything Linkous has done--and this record is so rewarding, beautiful,
conducive to obsession/compulsion, etc. etc. the melodies veer toward the
slower, rippingly trippy beatle-esque and tearing, soaring/dreamy pop of...well, earlier Sparklehorse.

there are insanely lovely baritone guitar bits (brittle and low) and tunes that evoke in some weird way other songs
that seem like a bit of an homage...Linkous' lyrics are reliably bizarre and heartfelt and homespun, so to speak--the little touches (headphone bait) here are
magical--making this record have legs, as it were.

a masterwork--5 stars are for undeniable classics like "revolver" and
"loveless" and such...i am so lucky to know this band.

other things to investigate, popwise: the black watch, "tatterdemalion";
sun kil moon "ghosts of the great highway"; anything by spiritualized; and the new Yo la tengo record--all are immense!!!!!