This is Sparklehorses debut album and it was released in 1995, just when the grunge era was winding down. Sparklehorse is an alt/indie/rock band that is similar to bands like The Flaming Lips & Mercury Rev. There is not much more I can say, this is a great band that didn't get the credit that they deserved. They are one of my favorite alternative rock bands of all time and this album is why. If you like alt/rock and indie music than you should consider purchasing this album. Sparklehorse did not get the credit that they deserved. They were overshadowed by bands like The Flaming Lips, Radiohead, Beck, and Mercury Rev.
Sparklehorse is one of the most underated bands of the 90's. "Vivadixies" is a dark, melancholy, gentle, and somber album. There are plenty of dark catchy melodies and hooks to keep you interested, this album is not a bore. Sparklehorse is a rock band that mixes in heavy influences of spacey folk, grunge, hard rock, and depressing ballads. "Homecoming Queen", "Gasoline Horseys", and "Most Beautiful Widow In Town" are perfect examples of soft, gentle, melancholy spacey folk influenced tunes. The melodies are soft, the vocals are gentle and the music blends together to create a depressing folk tune. "Weird Sisters" and "Cow" turn to more of a pop/grunge style while "Rainmaker" and "Someday I Will Treat You Good" are heavier pop/rock influenced songs. "Vivadixies" goes through uplifting, depressing, melancholy, and soft moments. This is a very odd album, just check out the random noise tracks like "850 Pumper Holley." None of these songs sound the same and this album succeeds if you need something thoughtful and melancholy along with a few heavier rockish and grunge songs.
Sparklehorse are inventive and unique. Along with mixing in a ton of genres with there music they add in a few instruments. About one half of these tracks are influenced by the acoustic guitar. It plays a big role in the folkier/softer tracks. The guitars play smooth riffs to gentle strums, all the way to loud rock solos. The accordian is another instrument that is used, it is really noticable in "Cow" where it gives the sound a more eerie feel. A lot of these songs are simple tunes, sometimes all they consist of is a guitar strum and soft, eerie vocals. Even the noise-pop and grunge influenced songs arn't to complex. The instruments combine to make eeire melodies and Marks vocals tie everything together. He has soft soothing vocals that have a gentle, eerie and offbeat sound. In the heavier songs he shifts gears and he wails into the microphone, his voice is high-pitched and can get whiney. The lyrics are quite interesting. They can be dark, and dreary, or they can make no sense at all. The lyrics are genious on some of the the quieter folk influenced tracks but on the more upbeat songs they don't seem to have much meaning. The vocals can get hard to understand under Marks whispers, wails, and his voice can sound muffled under the loud noise-pop songs. Instrumentaly, musically, vocally, and lyrically this album is excellent.
Overall this is one of my favorite 90's alt/rock records. This album goes through depressing moments, as well as more upbeat eerie mombents. "Vivadixies..." is a weird, haunting album that definately isn't for everyone. This album contains soft, dreary songs, folk influenced guitar strums, noise-pop, heavy grunge/rock, and catchy melodies and riffs. I wouldn't say this is a super depressing cd, it is just soft and gentle at times. With an odd vocals delivery from Mike this album all comes together as one beautiful, masterpiece. Sparklehorse is one of the most underated alternative rock bands of the 90's. I would say that this album is probably in my top 20 albums of the 90's, it is that good. For those of you who arn't familiar with this band they are very similar to the Flaming Lips & Mercury Rev. Although this is a strange album there is never a dull moment. Even in the seven minute "Cow" Sparklehorse manage to keep things interesting. If you enjoy dark dreary melodies, along with influences of grunge, folk, rock, and pop this album is for you. Sparklehorse is an amazing band, and "Vivadixiessubmarinetransmissionplot" is a super, overshadowed album.
Overall Rating - 4.5/5
Pros: Dreary, depressing moments
Lots of range
Vocals & lyrics
Heavy influences of grunge, folk, noise-pop, blues, and rock
Cons :Definately isn't for everyone and it's not very accessible
Recommended Tracks -Weird Sisters
Saturday
Cow
Someday I Will Treat You Good
