Sparrows - Cold Ground (Album Review & Vinyl Review)
This is heavy hitting music that when done well really has a lot of appeal. Fortunately for Sparrows they do a great job with the sound and accomplished a really well done album. The songs found on the album are well written and have a nice balance of heavy and soft sounds. I really like some of the transitions that go from heavy to soft on the album. One example of those transitions is the song "Apostasy" which may be one of my favorite tracks on the album. The band sounds extremely tight on it and every instrument finds its place to standout in the sound. I like how it has the chaotic elements of the music to the soft elements of the guitar, to the driving drumbeat and the sparking vocals that give the song a real voice. Vocally the album is really strong and the singer sings in a way that every lyric really has a piercing emotional force. At times the vocals sound like Finch's Nate Barcalow mixed with Taking Back Sunday's Adam Lazzara mixed with Armor For Sleep's Ben Jorgensen. That's a pretty good concoction when mixed the right way. The track "Sleepwalker" may be the best song Armor For Sleep never wrote. It's a driving, heavy hitting, moody song and it just sticks out as instant favorite of mine from the album.
The production for this album was done really nicely. I like the balance found on the album. It's clean sounding but still has a hint of rawness that really helps with the dynamic of the songwriting found on the album. The mixing is nice and I like how it really showcases the talents of each member.
Overall I'd say this is definitely one worth checking out. Although the band doesn’t have the most original sound in the world, few succeed in doing a good job at it and really creating something standout as well as this band does. A lot of bands try to play music in a similar style to this album. However, Sparrows accomplished that rare moment with their new album Cold Ground.
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Now on to the review for the vinyl version of this album, Broken Heart Records has put out another really nice product this time around. This is quite possibly my favorite jacket he's released thus far for an album. The jacket was printed using recycled stock and it has a matte finish. I thought this added so much to the colors and vibe of the jacket. It really gives it a great look. I also liked the white Broken Heart Label logo. The record also includes a two-sided insert full of promotional photos on one side and thank you's and more album information on the other side. It's glossy and really nicely done.
There are three variants of this album and out of those I received the clear variant. I won't lie. The tour variant the band has out on the road with them looks like it fits best with the album, but the clear variant also looks really nice in person. The center labels that were used for the album add a lot and they look really nicely with the clear variant.
I really think that listening to this album on vinyl is the way to go with this release. It sounds really good digitally, but blasting it loudly and hearing some of the instruments come to life adds a lot to the album. Also just looking at the artwork and reading the insert while listening really sets the mood of this album as well. This is a really good sounding release.
Broken Heart continues to impress. The label has quickly climbed up the ladder to become one of my favorite vinyl labels (although BHR does press a CD from time to time). The attention to detail and care in the products once again shows the true DIY independent feel. Those little touches and careful planning go a long way when an album is being pressed on vinyl. Make sure to pick this up. Spinning this on vinyl definitely gives the album a truly unique listening experience.
You can purchase the album on vinyl: HERE. (Take a look at the different variants below)
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