Sparklehorse...

[Psychocandy]

Are any of y'all schmoes fans of Sparklehorse's brand of twisted americana? Thus far Sparklehorse (led by guiding light Mark Linkous) have released three albums of surreal magic, chock full of songs brimming over with surreal imagery and beautiful sounds. The albums release thus far are as follows...

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Good Morning Spider

It's A Wonderful Life

I would liken their music to that of bands like Grandaddy, The Flaming Lips and Mercury Rev but there's a lot more going on than these comparisons suggest. I would recommend that Sparklehorse virgins who are interested in checking this great band out check out the following songs...

Homecoming Queen
Spirit Ditch
Heart Of Darkness
Most Beautiful Widow In Town
Chaos Of The Galaxy/Happy Man
Junebug
Maria's Little Elbows
Sick Of Goodbyes
King Of Nails
Piano Fire

There truly isn't a bad track on any of the albums. Linkous is a poet with a penchant for writing surreal, poetic lyrics that, whilst often appearing willfully cryptic, succeed in touching a part of the consciousness that ensures a deeper understanding of the themes presented than a more literal approach to songwriting often allows. It's not all about the lyrics though. The music is never less than wonderful and always compiments both Linkous' voice and his lyrics in a manner that lends the songs yet more strength. Amazing stuff.

[S. PLISSKEN]

I absolutely love Good Morning Spider! With songs like "Sunshine," "Cruel Sun," "Saint Mary," "Come On In," and "Ghost of His Smile." I get excited just thinking about it. This baby touches so many different sounds from punk to ballads to experimental pop it is unbelievable.

[Reigh Kaufman]

Don't know an awful lot about them, Pschocandy, but if you reckon they are worth a look and listen, I'll check them and get back directly. They remind me of reading NME in 1992, though, so they better be good.:D

[Raymond Babbit]

Don't know much about them, but they're opening for REM on their tour.