Customer Reviews

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

 

 

I was a bit skeptical when I first stumbled across this cd - despite amazon's recommendation and the reviews posted below, I assumed Beachwood Sparks was just another retro outfit. You know, refried nostalgia for those who missed the 60's the first time around. But I caved in and ordered it, basically because I'm a sucker for independent artists. And what a relief, because this album is one of the most pleasant surprises I've had all year. Sure, it's squarely in the late-60's Byrds and Flying Burrito Brothers vein, but it's also something unique. It's soulful and laid-back, experimental and traditional, fun yet melancholy all at once. And it's not all country-rock either. Songs like 'Something I Don't Recognize' and 'Old Sea Miner' could easily be mistaken for 1965-era Beatles. The songs are strong, the musicianship is excellent yet restrained, and the melodies and riffs remain in my head like half-remembered thoughts. Oh, and the cd design is truly a hoot - looks exactly like 1969! But what's most to like about these guys is that they're playing it straight....they play 60's music because they love it, not because it's some kind of in-joke. I strongly recommend this album, and not just for 60's completists. Pretending punk never happened is risky for a new millenium rock band, but the Sparks get away with it through sheer charm.

Hailing from San Francisco, The Beachwood Sparks' debut album is an astonishingly assured amalgam of early 70's country-rock and calming psychedelia. With its lovely harmonies and sunshine hooks, this album should not only appeal to folks with The Byrds & Buffalo Springfield in their collection but also to the No Depression crowd (for the country strain) and the Elephant Six Recording Company crowd (for the psychedelic strain). Opening track "Desert Skies" is drop-dead gorgeous & the album just gets better from there! You will honestly not be able to stop humming these heavenly tunes. The Sparks feature ex-members of the Lilys, Further & Strictly Ballroom in their line-up. They were originally on the legendary Bomp! label but are now on Sub Pop. This is officially the best album Sub Pop have ever released. I'd give it 10 stars if I could! Buy it now ya' crazy kids!

For a debut album this is brilliant. These guys obvisouly have great record collections and use them for a great effect here, imagine a cross between the grateful dead, the beach boys, the byrds and apples in stereo and you'll have an idea how this band sound.(The use of steel guitar is especially brilliant!). Fans of quality music will adore this. Do not hesitate.

What a wonderful surprise this Beachwood Sparks album is in light of the "manufactured mediocrity" that is being hoisted upon the unsuspecting (especially the young) buying public by the majority of the major labels. Beachwood Sparks and their label Sub Pop can be mighty proud to have taken the chance to release something that is NOT so narrowly definable, nor easy to pin down. In this day and age of bland, middle of the road pablum, Beachwood Sparks has created an opus to a more innocent and laid back era. Desert Skies, butterflies, deep sea dives, and canyon rides--who can't relate to these? Upon initial listening it may be easy to catagorize or write off Beachwood Sparks' work as too contemporary with such bands of the 60s and 70s as the Byrds, Buffalo Springfield, The Band--and yes a little reminiscent of the Grateful Dead--and I've heard no one mention the KINKS. But their breathless psychedelic quality, tremendous vocal blends, and superbly understated delivery sets them way apart from the majority of releases today. This album of gems may not bust open in LA, New York, or Chicago--but it's a sure fire winner for the Heartland of America. Oh....and a short note: These boys are residing right here in LA.

...without a trace of the irony evident in so much of today's music. Beachwood Sparks don't sound like they're ripping off a sound (re:Lenny Kravitz), as much as paying homage to a time and a place they feel affection for. The time is the late 1960's; the place is sunny California. Mellow, melodious music that puts one in the mind of a lazy afternoon lounging on the beach or taking a drive with all the windows rolled down: time becomes only an afterthought. This is escapist, folk-rock music, that makes you want to dance and sing or hum along. Some days I play this album on my turn table, and almost go back in time.

I don't know about you people out there, but I'm a 60's a 70's music freak. I just can't help it. Being so, I went through hell during the 80's and most 90's. I call them the lost decades as far pop music (I hate to use this term) is concerned. Of course both decades have their moments, after all we're talking about 20 whole years. But really, not much was done. So, when you see a band with such a poetic name and with such a good taste for music doing a work of their own, this is something to celebrate. Their influences are, what I called, the triple "B": Beatles, Byrds and Beach Boys. And to make things even better, they add a good portion of the great Gram Parsons to the top of it. Could we ask for more? I tell you, these guys are good, either playing or doing (who could imagine nowadays)a four part harmony vocals. This has been quite a challenge since The Byrds and, mainly, The Beach Boys and CSN&Y delivered their stuff over thirty years ago."Farmer" Dave Scher plays a smooth lap steel all through the album and Brent Rademaker plays very melodic bass lines in the Paul McCartney style. On occasions, the album starts to get too mellow, I'd say, but this is one thing that doesn't compromise the work as a whole. Will they be a big thing? No one could tell for sure, after all, it's only their first album (the second (Once We Were Trees) came up last year. Let's keep an eye on these guys. The songs they made and the way they sing them means a lot to many music fans who miss the natural flavor and the simplicity of songs and are just sick ant tired of the Gallagher brothers. If you are a 60's music freak, this is what you must get.

This CD is really getting under my skin...I too was skeptical, but could not resist the band's description. After many spins, I am now sold. What a great vibe! As many others have said, the tunes and musicianship are so genuine. This is not just a throwaway retro band. "Canyon Ride" is wonderfully put together. I like how many of the songs have structure and then bend into white noise pschedelia and then pop back to the original melody. Great stuff! Get to the ocean somehow this summer and don't forget this CD.

It was hot, it was early summer 2000 austin,tx @ south by southwest. as usual, i walked into urban outfitters with my wife b/c she was shopping. it was then i caught a glimpse of the beachwood sparks. **the cover artwork alone sold me** nice guys, steel guitars, 4 part harmonies, harmonicas, i don't care who they sound like or who thinks they may be ripping somebody else off, it sure makes you proud to hear these boys. why can't everybody else be like this?

Beachwood Sparks debut album is a joy to behold, after so much depression in the Alt Country scene despite the sometimes moniker "No Depression" its an absolute pleasure to listen to sunny, positive songs like the ones on this great album. Absolutely no question that they sound like Byrds circa Ballad of Easy Rider, (one mans view)with nods to early Jackson Browne, but the key thing is that they have not repeated mistakes of the past, no self indulgence, just simple songs played and sung beautifully, although they do get kinda experimental early on with keyboards but from mid album its all pedal steel ala Sneaky Pete Kleinow. For my money "Canyon Ride" is worth the price of the album alone. Given the sorta beachy, hippie, country rock vibe its like these guys are Timothy B Schmidts illegitimate love children, with maybe the lead singer sired by Crosby or McGuinn. "The Calming Seas", is brilliant and "Something I don't recognise" is classic 60's psychedelia with almost Monkee sounds to it. Crosby & Nash would approve especially with the Whale calls on track 12, Old Sea Miner

I could go on all night just buy the thing. Five Stars Yeh

I would agree with most of the positive things written about these folks. The one thing that PEOPLE SEEMED TO HAVE OVERLOOKED when talking about these boys is that THEY CAN REALLY PLAY. For me, this is what separates the older classics (Stones, Byrds, CSNY, etc) from many modern bands (Oasis + co). Both are capable of writing great songs, but it seems that the quality of musicianship was far higher back then!

They're not trying to be clever - it's just great americana-folk-rock pop. ...A bit like The G. Deads studio albums (Working Man and American Beaut), but poppier and a more accessible.

I would highly recommend BS to anyone who loves great music, played well, with an authentic 60s vibe.