Sparks Will Fly!
What initially strikes me the first time I listen to "The Shock of the Sparks" is the production, for a debut album by an unsigned band, the richness of sounds and creativity spent on recording is clearly there for all too delightfully hear. It also makes me think that this band of disparate Yorkshire men are very serious about their chosen craft, mixing rootsy folk rock with a diverse range of instruments and enough wistful longing to forge a fine collection of songs indeed.
The mercurial album kicks off with 'Tired Of Being a Man', a superb stomping country free for all, that is both uplifting and equally reflective "I'm a tired old joke". Complete with layered fiddle and hand claps this would be much fun live. Next up is the shuffling drums and banjo of 'Needy' a track the stand up bass was made for.
'Falling Man' is a track that requires me to make a bold and personal statement, not something you would normally find me doing in reviews but here goes anyway (cue drama). After receiving this album I found it very hard to actually stop listening to this track, after maybe thirty listens its by far one of the greatest things I've heard in 2010 and takes some serious beating. Full of melancholy, beauty and inevitable regret this track is country pop perfection. 'Handful of Dust' continues the high standard of song writing with multi part call and answer vocal parts backing dark hypnotic riffs and allowing Tom Brewster's voice to really set sail.
'Broken Flowers' presents another facet of the bands talents with its striped back emotive comfort. 'Closer, Dionysus', is a full blown affair with howling harmonica and riffs a plenty "I think I'm on the wrong Island" crashes through the raucous climax.
"The Shock of the Sparks" is at times stunning and it's fair to say that these guys have set the bar very high. Sounding at times like Mumford and Sons, there is also enough brooding and eclecticism to contrast this with and creatively they can certainly mould a tune. One small negative might come in the form of the sludgy funk rock in the middle but overall for a first effort this record is without doubt top draw.