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Beachwood Sparks
Beachwood Sparks
Beachwood Sparks
Genres: Country, Alternative Rock, Pop, Rock
 
  •  Track Listings (14) - Disc #1

Beachwood Sparks have set their time machine for sunny Southern California circa 1969 and landed with an homage to the country rock that led music fans out of the Beatles era. Although it contains echoes of the Byrds, the ...  more »

     
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CD Details

All Artists: Beachwood Sparks
Title: Beachwood Sparks
Members Wishing: 2
Total Copies: 0
Label: Sub Pop
Original Release Date: 3/21/2000
Release Date: 3/21/2000
Genres: Country, Alternative Rock, Pop, Rock
Styles: Americana, Indie & Lo-Fi
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 098787050325

Synopsis

Amazon.com
Beachwood Sparks have set their time machine for sunny Southern California circa 1969 and landed with an homage to the country rock that led music fans out of the Beatles era. Although it contains echoes of the Byrds, the Flying Burrito Brothers, and Buffalo Springfield, their self-titled album ultimately charts its own course with crisp songwriting, distinctive four-part harmonies, and tiptop instrumentation that features lap-steel and 12-string guitars, piano, and harmonica. At a time when many bands like Neutral Milk Hotel and Olivia Tremor Control treat pastiche as if it were a novelty, Beachwood Sparks retain the sparkle of late-'60s mellow rock yet are anchored by a clear-headed originality. The slow-waltzing "New County" and transcendent "Silver Morning After" are far more than a nostalgic look back at the Laurel Canyon crowd with their white jeans, stringy-haired girlfriends, and Humboldt weed. They are the classic rock songs of the future. --Lois Maffeo

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CD Reviews

The Byrds are back!
Jason P. Gubbels | 03/24/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)

"Hailing from San Francisco, The Beachwood Sparks' debut album is an astonishingly assured amalgam of early 70's country-rock and calming psychedelia. With its lovely harmonies and sunshine hooks, this album should not only appeal to folks with The Byrds & Buffalo Springfield in their collection but also to the No Depression crowd (for the country strain) and the Elephant Six Recording Company crowd (for the psychedelic strain). Opening track "Desert Skies" is drop-dead gorgeous & the album just gets better from there! You will honestly not be able to stop humming these heavenly tunes. The Sparks feature ex-members of the Lilys, Further & Strictly Ballroom in their line-up. They were originally on the legendary Bomp! label but are now on Sub Pop. This is officially the best album Sub Pop have ever released. I'd give it 10 stars if I could! Buy it now ya' crazy kids!"
Out of nowhere.
D. Bencuya | 04/22/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)

"For a debut album this is brilliant. These guys obvisouly have great record collections and use them for a great effect here, imagine a cross between the grateful dead, the beach boys, the byrds and apples in stereo and you'll have an idea how this band sound.(The use of steel guitar is especially brilliant!). Fans of quality music will adore this. Do not hesitate."
Music Is Warm and Sincere...
legmuffin | Kansas City, MO USA | 06/08/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)

"...without a trace of the irony evident in so much of today's music. Beachwood Sparks don't sound like they're ripping off a sound (re:Lenny Kravitz), as much as paying homage to a time and a place they feel affection for. The time is the late 1960's; the place is sunny California. Mellow, melodious music that puts one in the mind of a lazy afternoon lounging on the beach or taking a drive with all the windows rolled down: time becomes only an afterthought. This is escapist, folk-rock music, that makes you want to dance and sing or hum along. Some days I play this album on my turn table, and almost go back in time."