Supersweet.org - Album Review: Sparkadia – ‘Postcards’

Having signed to Jamie Davis’ British label Ark Recordings in 2007 after he heard a copy of their demo being played at a friend’s wedding, you would not be blamed for thinking that there is a serendipitous air of optimism that flutters around Sparkadia.

Recorded in London’s Miloco Studio with producer Ben Hillier (Doves, Blur, U2, Suede), their debut album ‘Postcards’ soundtracks what it would be like to live under a Tory-led Britain in this time of cultural bewilderment: the hopes that initially resonate upon its first appeal fritter with its insipid realities.

Alex Burnett’s warming tenor ways heavy upon each track, with his opulent intonations echoing harmoniously against its inoffensive indie-pop styling. From its inception, its qualities are seemingly endearing: ‘Too Much To Do’ opens with a Franz Ferdinand-esque jaunting guitar that trickle against carefree choral melodies, followed by the twee harmonies and steady build of the enchanting ‘Morning Light’ akin to the likes of Doves and Elbow.

It is important to note that ‘Postcards’ is an assiduously composed piece of work, sycophantic towards the radio friendly airwaves and pleasing to the ear of those who find themselves satisfied and fulfilled by the likes of The Feeling, Terry Wogan and Sunday morning strolls.

With such cheerful pop-foolery comes an atmosphere of melancholy mediocrity as the album rotates further, with each track leading off from where the latter concluded. The result is something that is easily disposable and washed with a watercoloured pastel effect.

Pushed to the right demographic, Sparkadia’s ‘Postcards’ will reap the rewards of their pop-sensibilities and resplendent melodies with the average BBC Radio 2 listener; but when the potential capabilities of tracks such as ‘Animals’ feel splintered as a result of scraping one’s fingers along the bottom of a well-worn Coldplay/Snow Patrol barrel, this may be too Conservative for some.