Sparkadia - Postcards (Album)
» Sparkadia 'Too Much to Do' Tour - April 4, 2008
» The Thrills - Amplifier Bar, WA - June 10, 2008
» The Thrills - Zoo, The, QLD - June 4, 2008
Postcards opens with the current single Too Much To Do. The track is very funky and also very catchy. Sparkadia seem to know how just to create melodies that stick in your head. They use a lot of distortion and many different effect pedals. The lead singer and songwriter Alex Burnett (otherwise known as the guy with the biggest hair this side of afro town) has a really nice tone to his voice that suits this kind of music. The album was recorded and mixed in London and this adds something else to the mix.
The album version of Morning Light isnt as good as the version on the single, though it is still a great song. Help Yourself sounds like it has come straight from the circus. Maybe it's the track that welcomes the crowd to the big top before the MC comes out on stage. With the staccato drums and keys it creates quite the scene. "I'd love to let you in and show you something else. You'd take another look at life, you've gotta help yourself". I first saw Sparkadia about 3 years ago and I remember thinking they had potential and I can honestly say that since then they have grown immensely. It's nice to see them going places. They have already toured overseas a few times and the new album should set them up nicely in that field.
Our Own Way is gentle and kinda uplifting. I love the dreamy vibe it gives off. Very nice indeed. "The night turns our city into animals. I've got one thing on my mind." is part of the chorus for the track Animals. The effects make this song very moody and a little experimental. 'Up in the air' has an awesome melody of "oh-oh-oh-oh-oohoh" that just stands out. It sounds quite trippy at times and works very well live. The Last Thing That You Need is a slow ballad and I feel that it just doesnt fit in with the rest of the album. Dont get me wrong, I'm all for adding different things to albums - but the key is not losing the quality and with this song I think that they have. The next couple of tracks plod along nicely with nothing standing out too much. They are good enough, though not really note worthy. But it is on the final track Sleeping Lion that this band really stand out. Lyrics like "When I lie in bed with this mess in my head, keep my pride in check. Its only time until I find someone to rely on." showcase the songwriting talent, it is beautiful and simple and it has soul. Songs dont need to be overdone with effects to be special. They dont need all that extra studio magic stuff. And this song proves this fact. What a lovely track to close the album with!
Postcards shows the evolution of Sparkadia. It is a symbol of all they have worked towards and where they want to go. It generates a fair bit of excitement and you cant help but move your feet. Alex Burnett is leading his band in a great direction and I look forward to seeing what comes next. Get this album if you like to dance and want to escape from the world for a little while.
