Customer Reviews

Sweet Life

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

 

 

What can you call this? New college radio rock? Neo-Southern rock? NeilYoungian? I don't know, but I do know that for all their comparisons to Neil Young (Harvest especially) and Son Volt, Varnaline manage to escape the dirge music created by most of the groups they're compared to. Their music, essentially the Anders Parkers project, dwells on the meaning/effects of place and deals with relations between people. Fairly simple topics, yet usually impossible to deliever in a fashion that'll keep most listeners interest. But Varnaline do keep your interest and they draw you into the world of each song. "Gulf of Mexico" is oddly hypnotic, "Northern Lights" is presented in such a fashion you'd think your best friend was telling you a story about the night before, and "Saviours" is so very surreal that you find yourself nodding along with the metaphors in complete agreement. The songs "All about Love", "Fuck & Fight" and "Tonite" provide sombre rock tunes that willing keep you company while you drink. The albums closer and title track "Sweet Life" mixes beauty and chaos into a stew that I deem near perfect. Varnaline is a great band, a band that provides music to travel and drink to, which for many people are important strengths.

This is the one album I always come back to when I am tired of everything and everyone. It is a beautiful piece of art and it has made me cry more than once. In a good way, though.

Why Varnaline has yet to find at least minor success is beyond me. Anders Parker's songs are excellent, the sound (a nice mix of acoustic 12-string and electric guitars, nimble rhythm section, augmented by just the right amount of strings and keys) is lush without being at all wimpy, they can rock out or play sensitively as needed, and this album, their fourth, just gets better with every listen. Recommended.

An absolutely masterful and mature step into the big leagues by the best indie band in America. Previously the sole domain of Anders Parker the band,now includding his brother John on bass ex-Space Needle kit man Jud Ebhar is a force to be reckoned with. From the Big Star echoing lead track to the pure pop bliss this is a band on the cusp of greatness. Fans of Neil Young,The Band etc. most definately must check out. Also, judging on the tour they did w/ Bob Mould one of the best live bands I've seen in a while.

Finally available again after being out of print for 2 years. Anders Parker (a.k.a. Varnaline) has honed his bittersweet rock 'n' roll to a fine point, playing up his taste for lilting melodies and heartfelt emotion. Varnaline enriches its gentle folk-rock tales with a sweeping grandeur, framing Parker's heart-tugging songwriting in the proper sonic setting. - David Day, CMJ

When trying to describe Varnaline to my friends, I'm a little short on making comparisons. "Wilco, only less country and more rock...no, Elliot Smith without the pianos and less depressing...". Varnaline is one of the great bands of today, equally invigorating and touching. The music is sensitive and also playful. They manage to work all over the spectrum with a wholly defined, part acoustic, part electric sound. I only know about Varnaline because I have a relative at Zero Hour records and she sent me this and their self titled album. I don't want to sound like too much of a salesman, but get this album!