- Audio CD
- Number of Discs: 1
- Label: CAP
- ASIN: B00005NNF4
- Other Editions: Audio CD | Vinyl | MP3 Download
- Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,266,986 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
In 1996 Mark Linkous (the man behind Sparklhorse) caused serious injury to himself by way of electrocution, although this didn't prevent him from appearing at that years Reading festival in a wheel chair, or producing on of the most innovative albums of that year. This album continues where Vivadixie..., Good Morning Spider, and Distorted Ghost Ep left off, and does not disappoint.
Initially Sparklehorse were championed by REM frontman Michael Stipe, but have sinced been joined by a futher number of celebrity bandwagon-jumpers. Heard here are PJ Harvey, Tom Waits and Nina Persson (Cardigans) and John Parish. Its A Wonderful Life sounds fantastic, Marks voice is perhaps more distinct, and you get swept along in a torent of crazy lyrics ("Circus People with hairy little hands!"), lush string arrangements, Lo-Fi style techniques, and a sense of melancholy.
If you like Eels, Grandaddy, and the like, this is definately worth investigating...
21 of 22 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Forget about the hype surrounding the new releases from Radiohead and REM (impressive as they are): the summer's must have album comes from a little known band by the name of Sparklehorse.
Sparklehorse are not really a band as such. They are, essentially, singer/songwriter Mark Linkous & Friends making music that by turns feels drowsy and intensely awake. Sadly, they have always been overlooked.
Until now that is. Cue a little help on album number three from Linkous' friends - Tom Waits, PJ Harvey, Nina Persson, Dave Fridmann - and Sparklehorse may yet be rescued from obscurity.
This album is a curious blend of country and rock. The trademark growl of Waits on the thumpy Dog Door, and Harvey's static-electric vocals on the radio-friendly Piano Fire, are obvious highlights.
Polly Harvey shows again on Eyepennies - a gorgeous piano melody. The blaring King of Nails is in contrast to its predecessor, Apple Bed, in which Linkous sings sadistically like a man possessed.
Linkous' dark, poetic lyrics and unmistakable sound have earned Sparklehorse lots of friends in the music industry. It can only be a matter of time before the record-buying public click on.
If any band deserves attention, it's Sparklehorse. A fragile genius, mainman Linkous has created an album like no other this year. On those grounds alone you should add it to your collection.
Gary Flockhart, Scotland Online
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Sparklehorse return after a long hiatus following 1998's classic 'Good Morning Spider', an album which forever cemented their reputation as the frazzled kings of Alt Country and assured their place in the hearts of the lo-fi nation. While this new joint ain't really that much of a departure from the previous two records, the mood is certainly more relaxed and optimistic - avoiding the intense, almost opressive aura of before. This probably has a lot to do with Linkous being clean for the recording, the opening and closing lullabies of 'Its a Wonderful Life' and 'Babies on the Sun' recall the parallel approach of 'vivadixie...', capturing the melancholy sensibility and pathos of before but with more pronounced hope. Elsewhere on the album Linkous introduces a host of collaborators into the fray with the likes of Nina Perrson (Cardigans), PJ Harvey, and Tom Waits contributing vocals and in Waits case (on the neurotic, beck-like 'Dog Door') co-writing credits. If you are expecting a change of musical direction from Linkous on this record, you will be disappointed, however if you are still spellbound by the lush melancholy, fractured melody, and the vuneranable, heartbreaking, yet inevitably joyful tracts of Linkous' lyrical spells, or if you are curious and willing to sample something a bit leftfield of the established indie/alternative axis, then lap it up and feel the pain (birds).
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
beautiful ballads
its a wonderful life is the track i want played at my funeral ,one of the most moving pieces of music ive ever heard ,mark linkous is a poet as well as a wonderful musician... Read more
Published 1 month ago by A. M. Barsby
A BEAUTIFUL SOUL
Mark Linkous was a genius who sadly passed away a last year,Sparklehorse were his band and they have been favourites of mine since Good Morning Spider. Read more
Published 10 months ago by mister joe
Poets, buddhists, punks & down south schopenhauer
Rain, thats what this reminds me of. Autumn rain, relentless without being angry about it. Solemn or minor chords, occasional vigor, even a Tom Waits playing with the similarities... Read more
Published 19 months ago by Zaroff
Sparkleawesome
Oddly enough, on a wet, dreary day wandering around Swansea University campus, Sparklehorse's third album (and personal favourite) seems optimistic, even happy. Read more
Published on 12 July 2007 by I. Lehnert
One of the most beautiful albums of all time
Its relatively quiet release and lack of acclaim in the alternative press have always saddened me as this warm and compelling album is truely unique. Read more
Published on 4 April 2006 by C.M. Holmes Storey
Undiscovered gem
This is a fantastic album. It has an amazing other-worldly feel to it. Can't believe how little press it got at the time it was released.
Published on 21 Jan 2006 by "benh76"
It's a wonderful "Life"
How does one follow up a modern indie classic, such as Sparklehorse's "Good Morning Spider"? In the case of "It's a Wonderful Life," they just keep on going. Read more
Published on 18 Jan 2006 by E. A Solinas
Brilliant, original, one of my favourite albums of all time
Sparklehorse is a musician that doesn’t receive the credits it deserves. Even in the alternative mainstream there is too little attention for his work in my opinion. Read more
Published on 30 Nov 2005 by "hendrik-jan"
No Words Will do This Album Justice...
This is the best album i have ever heard. The lyrics are deep and meaningful, the music beautiful and the album as a whole is spine chillingly effective. Read more
Published on 25 May 2005
Inspirational
I went out on a limb and bought this based on great reviews and mentions of Mercury Rev (Dave Fridmann production) influences. Read more
Published on 10 April 2002
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