Following the release of 2011’s Worst Thing I’ve Been Cursed With, Sparks The Rescue certainly left fans wondering what was happening to the band they had come to love — they seemed to have spiraled into a bit of an identity crisis, especially after so many member changes and an unexpected change to their sound that left fans dissatisfied and kind of confused. While the album had its fair share of catchy songs, there seemed to be something missing. With their self-titled EP, Sparks The Rescue have taken everything that was great about that album — the catchy lyrics, the progressiveness of their sound, that “get up and dance” attitude — and fused it with their old school style to create an unforgettable seven-track compilation sure to get you off your feet with their first independent release since parting ways with Fearless Records.
The EP’s enticing intro track will bring any listener to the edge of their seat in anticipation as it effortlessly transitions into the second track and the first single off the EP, “Disaster.” The music video’s release got fans stoked for this record with an incredible showcase of what the band can do both lyrically and musically, and the song starts the EP off on a high note — literally. From lead singer Alex Roy’s breaks into falsetto, to guest performer and former band member Marty McMorrow’s vitalizing screams, to Mike Naran’s killer guitar solo, this track serves as the perfect preview for the rest of the record while setting the bar high. Along with their predecessor, “Water Your Heart (Safe, Sound and Buried)” and “Burn All My Clothes” prevail as must-haves for any Sparks The Rescue fan, as they are reminiscent of the best parts of Worst Thing while harkening back to the harder edge that fans loved from their last EP, 2007’s The Secrets We Can’t Keep.
“Last Chance For Romance” and “Dream. Catch. Her” are classically evocative of the band’s debut full-length Eyes To The Sun with a more radio-geared pop feel, guaranteed to be a hit among fans of the band’s lighter hits. The record smoothly comes to a close with “Phoenix,” a slower acoustic track paired with milder electric rhythm guitar that bursts into a full-band love song. The song ties the EP together with its reminiscence of past songs like “The Gravity” and “How to Make a Heart Hollow,” which is sure to keep both old and new fans excited about their music while still making the music they feel passionate about.
Sparks The Rescue’s current lineup seems to have great chemistry, and this EP is truly an exceptional reflection of such chemistry. This is obviously the music that the band is most comfortable playing, and the decision to independently produce this record was unquestionably the best decision they could have made. Whether you fell in love with Sparks back in the Secrets We Can’t Keep days or more recently with the release of Worst Thing I’ve Been Cursed With, this EP is a guaranteed hit and a necessary addition to your music collection.
Rating: 4.5/5
