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Review: The Lovely Sparrows (You gotta hear these guys)

Wed Apr 18, 2007 12:13 AM EDT
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By ScooterDMan

Cover art for The Lovely Sparrows' EP Pullling Up Floors, Pouring On (New) Paint

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I don't have much to say about this Austin, TX based indie-rock outfit. I came across them serendipitously while playing around with Mozilla's delightful new music player, Songbird. Before I knew it, I was playing one of their songs, "The War Has Seen The Best Of Me," and next thing I know, I'm on emusic buying their album, which has over the past few days become one of my favorites of 2007. (And given the caliber of releases, that's saying a lot!)

And it's not really an album... it's an EP — and a really short one at that. At 19 minutes, the five songs on Pulling Up Floors, Pouring on (New) Paint come and go quickly, but not without leaving an impression. Some reviewers have compared lead singer Shawn Jones' vocal style to Isaac Brock or Spencer Krug, but those comparisons don't hold much weight. Jones doesn't yip or yap or bark. On "Chemicals Change" Jones could pass a folkier James Mercer; on "Attention Disorder Kid," he channels the slacker cadence of early Stephen Malkmus, as he sings over and over the refrain "Attention, disorder kid — They wanna replace you with robots."

This little EP's gold, and it leaves me wanting much more. It reminds me a bit of the way I felt when I first heard Wolf Parade two years ago. I knew they were bound for greatness but only had four songs to hang my hat on.

So quick: run to The Lovely Sparrows' MySpace page and listen to the first two tracks. If you're first reaction is — like mine — "Let me send these guys $8 so they can make a full blown album!" then mosey on over to the band's web site where you can buy their EP.

And let me know what you think.

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tigerblade

Immediate reaction from the iTunes 30-second samples: sounds a lot like The Shins.

That's not a bad thing. I shall have to give them a try.

    Reply#1 - Wed Apr 18, 2007 1:34 AM EDT
    Schwab

    And it's not really an album... it's an EP — and a really short one at that. At 19 minutes, the five songs

    that's pretty normal lenght for an ep.

    anyways i'm gonna check those their myspace songs now, and will report back soon.

    • 1 vote
    Reply#2 - Wed Apr 18, 2007 1:34 AM EDT
    ScooterDMan

    Yea. I guess you're right. I have a bunch of EPs that go beyond 30 mins, but as I peruse them again, there's generally a lot of throwaway stuff. Each song on this EP is great. No filler.

    • 1 vote
    #2.1 - Wed Apr 18, 2007 4:57 PM EDT
    Reply
    Eric Atienza

    After first listen I like what I'm hearing.

      Reply#3 - Wed Apr 18, 2007 2:45 PM EDT
      Ryan Stolte-Sawa

      Microphones meets Bonnie "Prince" Billy. Not bad.

      • 1 vote
      Reply#4 - Wed Apr 18, 2007 3:12 PM EDT
      ScooterDMan

      I love the Microphones and "appreciate" Bonnie Prince Billy, but both produce music that sort of depressing. These guys are happy!

        #4.1 - Wed Apr 18, 2007 4:55 PM EDT
        Ryan Stolte-Sawa

        I don't find Will Oldham's music depressing in the least. It's candid and relatable. Microphones...I'm not crazy about.

        • 2 votes
        #4.2 - Thu Apr 19, 2007 10:21 AM EDT
        Eric Atienza

        These guys are happy!

        Happy music? Psch.

        How I supposed to cry in the corner of a dark room to happy music?

        • 2 votes
        #4.3 - Thu Apr 19, 2007 10:47 AM EDT
        Eric Atienza

        I could have sworn I typed "am" in there.

          #4.4 - Thu Apr 19, 2007 10:47 AM EDT
          Schwab

          Microphones meets Bonnie "Prince" Billy. Not bad.

          that sounds like the best music ever. oldham's music is definitely depressing at times, but in the best way possible. and no one records such a warm lo-fi song as Phil from the microphones.

          • 2 votes
          #4.5 - Thu Apr 19, 2007 11:57 AM EDT
          Ryan Stolte-Sawa

          Schwab, I dunno how I feel about Phil. I saw him at a really small show playing Microphones songs by himself with his guitar. It was interesting, but kind of...I dunno. He kinda seems like a sanctimonious dick. You're right about Microphones' production, though. I infinitely prefer them to the Shins.

          Oldham, on the other hand, well, I dunno. He might not be "genuine" but he's decidedly an artist. He does music that he wants, and I can't think of any albums he's done that I haven't liked. I think he's a much more consistent songwriter. Hell, I even think he's a better songwriter. I also don't find his stuff depressing at all, but pensive; though, even if it were depressing I would still love his music. :)

          You wanna talk depressing music, try Iron and Wine. "Over the Mountains" is guaranteed to make me cry on a rainy day. That man writes ugly, ugly poetry. And it's gorgeous. How do they do it?

          P.S. (heh) how do you feel about Broken Social Scene?

          • 1 vote
          #4.6 - Thu Apr 19, 2007 2:12 PM EDT
          ScooterDMan

          Sam Beam writes some dark @!$%#, that's for sure, but I find Iron & Wine's stuff sort of uplifting.

          "All dead white boys say 'God is good.' White tongues hang out, say 'God is good."

          If that doesn't lift the spirits, I don't know what will.

          • 1 vote
          #4.7 - Thu Apr 19, 2007 2:59 PM EDT
          Ryan Stolte-Sawa

          I cover that song. Well, if I played shows, I would.

          • 1 vote
          #4.8 - Thu Apr 19, 2007 3:14 PM EDT
          ScooterDMan

          Ooh. Can you tell me the chords?

          • 1 vote
          #4.9 - Thu Apr 19, 2007 3:34 PM EDT
          Ryan Stolte-Sawa

          It's fingerstyle, and . I can tell you the basic chords, but I don't think I could successfully write a tab. I can hook you up when I get home. It's easy!

          • 1 vote
          #4.10 - Thu Apr 19, 2007 4:51 PM EDT
          ScooterDMan

          That would be cool. Thanks.

          • 1 vote
          #4.11 - Thu Apr 19, 2007 5:40 PM EDT
          Schwab

          I saw mount eerie (phil just playing by himself) play about a year ago, and i enjoyed it a lot. I can see what you mean though, he easily comes off as pretentious, but after i watched a documentary on him and Little Wings called Wise Old Little Boy, i couldn't help but like Phil.

          I have upward over the mountain by Iron and Wine, is that the song you're talking about?

          I like BSS, but i don't listen to them too much anymore. You forgot it in people and feel good lost are both excellent albums.

            #4.12 - Thu Apr 19, 2007 9:41 PM EDT
            Reply
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