Sparrow & the Workshop – Sleight of Hand
It is a pretty huge pleasure to be able to review two excellent releases in the same week, both released by people you consider to be good friends, and this week brings us both the Broken Records album, and now Sparrow & the Workshop’s debut release. And guess what? It’s fucking brilliant. I have two tiny criticisms, so I’ll get them out of the way first:
Firstly, I think the drums sound somewhat flat on Last Chance, and that the pace of the song is a little quick. Live, there’s realy sparkle to the cymbals on this song in particular, and there’s more variation between the simmer of the verse and the aggression of the chorus which seems to be slightly missing. Secondly, the live versions of I Will Break You sound a hell of a lot more punk than the version on this EP, and actually I think that might have given the song more impact, as well as shaking the listener up a little. See – I can nitpick with the best of them.
Otherwise, this is great. The Gun is fucking lovely – the tappity-tap of the percussion and the gentle thrum of guitar are as simple and as lovely a device as I’ve heard in a long time. In fact, Sparrow & the Workshop have a habit of doing things like that – there are a lot of times when the acoustic guitar seems to be doing the job of the rhythm section and the drums actually take the lead. As well as that, Jill’s voice is, it really must be said, truly gorgeous. She seems to have the ability to enigmatically flit between fragile and raging in an instant, as well as between idiosyncratic, old-fashioned folk and plain vanilla country.
Sleight of Hand is beautifully sequenced as well. It starts with a fury, dances around in the middle and then gently takes its leave with Broken Heart, Broken Home. It doesn’t try too hard, simply introduces itself, A near perfect first release.
Sparrow & the Workshop – The Gun
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(trumpet sound) I LOVE THIS BAND SO MUCH, I DON”T BUY MUCH MUSIC AT ALL THESE DAYS BUT I WILL BE BUYING THIS. (trumpet sound)
don’t i know you from somewhere mr.hexagram?
You may have seen him in a band somewhere local, apparently. Fancies himself a bit of a musician, so I hear.
sparrow and the workshop fuck me up in so many positive ways.
also this has been released on delicious and beautiful 10′ vinyl
I like Sparrow and the Workshop.
Me too.
i like that fact that drummer guy never gets drunk in my company and still listens to my chat…..
Sorry Gregor!
Check out the 24-hour round-the-clock update service provided by the Song, By Toad commentary team.
Gregor does, indeed, have the patience of a saint..
I am buying this on vinyl this weekend just as soon as I get paid. And the single. And the Broken Records album. I am chuffed.
is the br album on vinyl?
I am pretty certain it is – Jamie had a first pressing at the Bedlam gig.
It is. they facebooked about that the other day before it was released.
thanks
Why are we talking about the BR album on the Sparrow thread?
Anyway – if you get the album at Avalanche they’re giving away a free CD of the band’s in-store performance with each purchase.
Bonus!
bonus, only if it is anygood?
If it’s rubbish it’ll still make a handy coaster, or a mirror to hang up and entertain your budgie.
it’s not a particularly great recording to be honest.
Like the Meursault Homegame videos – good when part of the video, but maybe less great as standalone audio. Still, a nice idea by the Avalanche lads. Good to see them getting into new stuff.
wasn’t criticising matthew. just quoting the man who produced them who said “not a particularly great recording”.
You’re always criticising something, Euan.
“insert smiley face here”
Euan likes Sparrow And The Workshop.
Apparently they have a new EP out.
No, Bart likes them. They fuck Euan up. It says so at the top of the page.
Did you see me un-hijacking a thread there.
That has to be the first time that’s ever happened!
But Euan seems to enjoy the many ways in which S&TW fuck him up.
He’s funny like that.
I did find it odd Dylan that you were commenting on how the thread did not relate to the article given that it rarely does!
I do feel I’m very positive about most things. Apart from Glasvegas and the dancing abilities of Girl Aloud.
S&TW fuck me up good and proper and it feels good.
“I did find it odd Dylan that you were commenting on how the thread did not relate to the article given that it rarely does!”
Almost inevitably because of him, too.
They were great before Bart left.
It’s an absolute pleasure to be on tour with them right now.
what, girls aloud?!
No, silly. S&TW. Do girls aloud fuck you up in so many positive ways too?
Yes.
Chafing.
Ian ssshhhusshed me last night, during S&TH!!!!
oh i see. girls aloud have permission to try and fuck me up in many positive ways provided ti doesn’t involve dancing.
hope the tour is going well.
Amazingly, you can get the whole EP as high quality mp3s for the measly sum of just £1.79 from 7Digital. No excuse at that price… I bet you’ll find near enough that amount under your sofa, go on, check now and report your findings back here… I got £1.55 and a half chewed Chuppa Chups lolly! Bonus!
Anyway, looking forward to seeing both Broken Records and the Spar ‘shop together in London next week!