Sparklehorse - Dreamt For Light Years In The Belly Of A Mountain

There’s a thin line between robbing and helping a band in the blogging business. On one hand, what I do could be seen as promotion, telling people about bands they may otherwise have never heard of. In this light, the only results are benefits, in the form records, concert tickets and further word of mouth. On the other hand it could be seen as unlawfully giving away someone else’s property, which in all honesty, it is. Take this album for example, it hasn’t even been released yet (is it hot in here?) and I’m still telling you about it. The chances of my actions leading to someone who would have bought the album saying “I have two mp3’s, I don’t think I’ll buy the album” are innumerably small, especially when compared to the chances of it leading to someone coming to actually like the band. Obviously my aim here is to help the artists, not to rip them off. Of course I will always welcome complaints from any song owner who disagrees with me and wants me to remove them from my site (why am I excited about getting my first ‘cease and desist’? (it means I’ve made it!)). So please, fall in love with this band, if not for them but just to keep me out of jail. That said, you shouldn’t have any trouble developing an affinity for Sparklehorse. As their name is clearly referencing, their sound is gentle yet strong and glistening with beauty. So often they reach levels of intense intimacy and connection with the listener. You feel like you’re right there, in amongst the band, immersed in the music. However they don’t saturate you with such ‘gooeyness’, knowing full well when just to pull back and bring you straightforward, satisfying music. This album has done enough to prompt me to delve into their back-catalogue, always a good sign.

Don’t Take My Sunshine Away – Listening to this song, I can’t help but think of the song of similar lyrics, you know the one. Well this outdoes it in every possible way, even without some little kid with a lisp singing it. On just the second listen I felt like I already knew it so well, something that hardly ever happens with me.

Ghost In The Sky – Songs of this pace really aren’t that common on this album but I just couldn’t resist the temptation. When listening the whole way through, this song bursts on and clearly an impression on me. I guess by offering you two songs from opposite ends of the spectrum, I’m allowing you to guess what’s awaiting you in between.