Sparks the Rescue - Eyes to the Sun [Album]

Hassle Records

Today I spun "Eyes to the Sun," the new release from Sparks the Rescue, an American Pop/Punk band from Portland, ME. Sparks the Rescue has released 3 EPs to date but "Eyes To The Sun" is their first LP. The disc is full of high-energy, catchy songs. The harmonies are fat, the guitar work is broad and pounding, and the hooks are appealing, if predictable. It must be said, they work in some well-traveled territory. Looking for comparisons? They sound like a Poppier version of Blink 182 or a lighter version of Sum 41 or just like +44.

So, the music isn’t ground-breaking. That said, they do it well. If you like Punk-influenced Pop, you will probably enjoy "Eyes to the Sun," as Sparks the Rescue show a definite talent for crafting appealing Pop songs.

A few highlights:

'Hello Mexico' has a nice hook and contains a clever turn of phrase or two.
'I Swear that She’s the One' features a bright and comparatively unpredictable vocal melody and well-placed harmony vocals.
'Chemistry Set' is one of the darker songs on the disc, a minor-key celebration of the power of drugs to help one forget painful memories.

Overall, this sound isn’t really my thing. Personally, I don’t like any of the bands to which I compared Sparks the Rescue to above. However, this Pop Punk has a huge market as evidenced by the platinum records earned by, for example, Blink 182.

Sparks the Rescue appear to be putting in the work and time on the road to support this release, touring this summer with The All-American Rejects, playing festivals, and getting one of their songs ('Hello Mexico') included in the first episode of the Real World Cancun.

Sparks the Rescue has a mainstream sound, lots of energy, and a pretty good look, so I predict big things for the band.