Sparrow & The Workshop - Sleight Of Hand [EP]

Distiller Records

July 3, 2009, 03:01 PM

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If I were to casually utter the phrase "Glaswegian Americana" amongst friends chances are they would eye me up with a mixed sense of bemusement and curiosity. Sparrow and the Workshop could be summed up almost to a 'T' using that very phrase and it is in no way meant as an insult, far from it in fact.

This 6 track EP wonderfully suits the current climate and moves along at such a pace that when it clicks to a stop your first instinct is to start it all over immediately. The smoky, haunted opener 'Devil Song' sets the scene with a deft and unconventional male/female vocal harmony and a whip-crack, runaway train drumbeat that gives the song a striking immediacy, like Mazzy Star jamming with The Bad Seeds. The warm, fuzzy production suits the song perfectly too and adds just the right amount of dirt to the beautifully sparse arrangement.

'Last Chance' takes things in a slightly more conventional direction with an energetic spark and bluesy melody that brings to mind Howling Bells before they decided to become a pop band, it's another tight, interesting song that thanks to it's brevity never outstays it's welcome. 'The Gun' next gives us the records first potential hit with a subtle chorus ("don't get your gun, you'll find yourself all alone") which hints at a darker lyrical heart to the bands surface beauty. It ends the record's first half with a quiet grace which leads well into 'I Will Break You's' more downbeat and otherworldly vibe. It's a change of pace which succeeds in breaking up the record and giving it a dynamic it would have otherwise lacked but it's the weakest track here with a forgettable melody and a few fairly predictable moments.

That's not to say it's a bad song, it's just that when compared with the rest of the record, the song falls flat.

'My Crime' is next and is possibly my favourite song on the record with a simple, affecting melody perfectly off-set by a gentle acoustic backing and ghostly electric guitar pattern. It's as good as anything on Bat For Lashes' latest album, and considering that has been one of my albums of the year so far that is high praise indeed! The album closes with 'Broken heart, Broken Home' a song which lasts barely 2 minutes and is all the more effective for it with lead singer Jill (try as I might I couldn't find any of the bands surnames) coming across all Regina Spektor with a clipped vocal performance which is embellished by a soft, dusty violin.

It's a perfect end to a perfect little record which took me completely by surprise, it's very rare that I'm this taken by a record I previously knew nothing of and it'll probably be taking up residency in my CD changer for a good few weeks while we enjoy such glorious weather. A beautiful record to soundtrack perfect summer nights.

1. Devil Song
2. Last Chance
3. The Gun
4. I Will Break You
5. My Crime
6. Broken Heart, Broken Home

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