Wicker Park

Sparkler | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 11, 1997)
• Original Release Date: March 11, 1997
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Warner Bros / Wea
• ASIN: B000002L4Y
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #485,769 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Intricate lyrics, grooving riffs, October 1, 2001

By 

Dianne J. Pope (Irvine, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wicker Park (Audio CD)

I first saw and heard Sparkler at my High school in 1998. They were publicized as Britains greatest band, although at the beginning of their show they announced, "We're Sparkler, from Hollywood", with no trace of a british accent. They forgot mike stands and had to duct tape their mic's to garbage cans that were attached to broomsticks. Despite their more than humble stage set-up, after listening to a demo tape and buying their CD, they became one of my favorite bands.
Rick Parker's lyrics and his delivery of them are so pure and uncontrived. He has a great alternative droan to him, that I would categorize as a cross between the guy from Oasis and Jakob Dylan from The Wallflowers. The guitar playing is also excellent, the riff's are catchy and go from hard to sweet at various points, which is a great mix. The production of the album is also excellent, good mix of the vocals and instruments, neither one out-does the other.
Among my favorite songs are "Don't Despair" (It has a KISS reference in it), "Hey 17" and "Grand Arrival". The band is no longer around as far as I can tell, their website has been dead for sometime and they haven't put out an album in 4 years, but if you can hear me guys-I'm waiting!

5.0 out of 5 stars A Classic Album, Forgotten In Time, April 18, 2008

By 

Mel Zorro - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wicker Park (Audio CD)

It's been 7 years since I wrote the only review for this album. A lot has changed, except one thing: this album rocks!

It's sad when an album this good doesn't even receive negative reviews, it's just forgotten.
But to you, the one person who happened upon the this listing by accident, thinking you were going to find a Josh Hartnett movie-THIS IS YOUR LUCKY DAY!

"Wicker Park" is a great snapshot of the 90's alternative sound that is reminiscent of Bush and Oasis with the pop sensibilities of Weezer.

A well rounded album, the songs range from fuzz guitar laden tracks, to accoustic and piano with strings. The lyrics tend to tell stories, that really drag you into the life of the subjects.

Here's a review of each song:

-"Hey, Longhair": This is the most alternative track, a lot of fuzz guitar and feedback, it's kind of a slow, droning rocker.

-"I'll Keep You Warm": A bouncy accoustic/piano song about trying to show your love to a "Jaded Cinderella".

-"Discover": This was their single that never made it, they actually had a music video for it too that looked like the images on the album cover. It's another alternative classic with a fuzzed-out, upbeat riff.

-"What Are You Waiting For": A mellow rocker, with a lot of emotion behind the lyrics, especially during the chorus.

-"For You": Has a catchy, bluesy riff and great lyrics such as "Suck you like a vampire...kissed you like a cowboy." Definitely a highlight.

-"Don't Despair": My personal favorite. Like Oasis meets the Wallflowers, it's kind of psychedelic as it talks about the unglamorous side of the L.A. party scene throught he eyes of a model.

-"Hey 17": This was the B-side to the "Discover" single, it's a poppy piano and strings song about picking up the pieces after a breakup.

-"Motorcyle": A straight ahead rocker about takin' off.

-"You Know Who You Are": A slow song about a girl in "thrift store clothes", that's about it.

-"Magic Lantern": Another slow one, with some good ambience.

-"Another Star": A high-tempo rocker about space-travelling girl with a "laser gun stashed in your boot, intergalactic ninja fur". Great!

-"Grand Arrival": A sad, but beautiful song about a suicide.

-"Wicker Park": The extra track, it's a trippy, piano/synth song about going for a night out and making your own rules.

Really a solid album, that is unique enough to sound classic, not dated.

I highly recommend buying this album, especially since you can basically get it for free (.01) and just pay for the shipping.

What I do not recommend is buying Rick Parker's solo album, it's really lame and nothing at all like this one. Although the pictures on the album cover and booklet are hilarious, he looks like a purple pimp.

As a footnote: Sparkler never made it big, although I thought they were going to get their chance when I saw an MTV news report that said they would be playing at Lollapalooza '97. Sadly, a few days later a follow-up report stated that they had been taken off the bill (For some reason that strikes me as funny).