ALBUM REVIEW: Sparkadia - The Great Impression

(Ivy League, 2011)
Review by Kim Larkin
                                             

4/5

The great impression received from Sparkadia’s new album ‘The Great Impression’ (unoriginal I know, but I couldn’t resist), is a varied one. The highly awaited second album from Sydney band is a twisted melodic form of pop-art. Catchy with a bittersweet sentiment and 80’s stylistic tone, the album runs resonant with harpischord, bells, chimes and an echoing flow of singer Alex Burnett’s lyrics which leaves ‘The great impression’ drenched in depth and despondency.

China being the unquestionable John-Hughes-cinematic-inspired highlight of the album annotates the pop component of the album. With the Phil Collins’ drum rolls, and the melancholy lyrics of the chorus (“I break like China”) combined with the uplifting chord progressions, China strikes a perfect adolescent attitude and harmony, outlining the tone of the entirety of ‘The Great Impression’.

There is no denying the earnest desperateness in the lyrics, but somehow listening to Sparkadia’s new album doesn’t depress you as it should. There is something remarkably tender to each song individually, and together the album is refreshing in it’s slow waltz pop that isn’t soppy or pretentious. It captures the tone of a soundtrack that is in everyones head, one time or another.

Admitedly ‘The Great Impression’ won’t be to everyones taste. There are some points which could be considered too 80s, too liquid in it’s overtones (with the use of a chorus of whoaas and ohhhs in almost every track) and even too repetitive in the undercurrent of the album. However if you were after the Sparkadia you heard in 2008’s “Postcards”, you wont be disappointed. When listening to tracks such as ‘jealousy’ and ‘kiss of death’ the natural evolution process is evident. The use of instruments in ‘The Great Impression’ tend to be considerably more introspective than their earlier releases, nonetheless the instrumentality of the album is undeniably strong and unmistakably Sparkadian.

Intending to listen to ‘The Great Impression’ with expectations is a bad choice. I can promise you that it won’t live up any assumptions you have made in your head, but fortunately I can also assure you that it will create and exceed new ones. Each song is specifically clever, with it’s own scene to the landscape of the album. At times hesitant other times dynamic, songs such as The Lost Ones depict the melodic balance of both worlds and creates an almost indefinable, complex and evocative second release. The magical quality of ‘The great impression’ is that it reminds you why the album was highly awaited.