There was a time when genuine rock bands landed on major labels, received amble promotion, and found success on radio. I am just old enough to remember this time. Bands like Cracker and Drivin’n’Cryin’ weren’t huge everywhere but found considerable audiences in various parts of the country. This was before the consolidation of radio stations and record labels. It’s in this era that The Sparklers probably could have found similar levels of success. Their second album, Crying At The Low Bar, harkens back to the quality rock of the late eighties and early nineties without sounding dated or retread. Two songs from Crying At The Low Bar (“Gingham” & “Falling Apart Makes”) were recently featured on Von’s Americana Mix Podcast, which is where I first heard of them.
“Never Underestimate The Moon” is the kind of song every 14 year-old discovering rock’n’roll should listen to. It has interesting sounds and a catchy melody and enough rock to displease overbearing parents. Most importantly the song’s title and chorus is the kind of thing a 14 year-old mind could ponder throughout the school day. What The Sparklers prove throughout the album is that they can write a song. Standouts include “Gunfire and Confetti” and “Weren’t For Bars” but their website describes the album as a song cycle and for once that’s exactly how I feel about it. While each sounds uniqe enough the songs drift out of one into another with an emphasis on mood and feel.
There’s a whole lot to like about this record. I would suggest you listen, buy, like on facebook, tell your friends, make an illegal copy for your younger cousin, thank me.