Beachwood Sparks: Across the River of Stars (digital outlets)

 |   |  <1 min read

High Noon
Beachwood Sparks: Across the River of Stars (digital outlets)

Looking for that album which brings to mind the Byrds, Flying Burrito Brothers, the solo careers of Roger McGuinn and Gene Clark, maybe even some of Tom Petty's country-flavoured Southern rock?

Then Beechwood Sparks out of California are your band because they recognise that the wheel is pretty serviceable as it is and doesn't need reinventing.

With jangling country guitars, close harmonies (both deployed on Gentle Samurai here which namechecks' Clark's Silver Raven) and concise country-rock songs Beechwood Sparks conjure up a period when the Mamas and the Papas played on rock radio, the Easy Rider soundtrack was in every home and marijuana was less potent.

Produced by the Black Crowes' Chris Robinson, Across the River of Stars also captures those autumnal moods which have long been a thread in country-rock (the psychedelic Gem and and dreamy Faded Glory at the midpoint).

Nothing new about this wheel – no steel rims or white wall – just a reliable wheel to get you out on the highway near the coast as the afternoon sinks into the sunset.

Lovely.

.

You can hear and buy this album at bandcamp here


Share It

Your Comments

post a comment

More from this section   Music at Elsewhere articles index

RECOMMENDED REISSUE: Dave Dobbyn: A Slice of Heaven; 40 Years of Hits (Sony)

RECOMMENDED REISSUE: Dave Dobbyn: A Slice of Heaven; 40 Years of Hits (Sony)

Not really a reissue and not his first such collection, but here are 21 familiar songs -- one apiece from Th'Dudes and DD Smash, with a few in their 2009 versions – and an acknowledgement... > Read more

Ash: Intergalactic Sonic 7s (FMR)

Ash: Intergalactic Sonic 7s (FMR)

The power pop single was in safe hands with Northern Ireland's Ash, a young and feisty trio - and latterly quartet - who brought brittle, angry energy to the three-and-a-half minute, chart-aimed... > Read more

Elsewhere at Elsewhere

Various: Next Stop . . . Soweto (Strut/Border)

Various: Next Stop . . . Soweto (Strut/Border)

Subtitled "Township Sounds from the Golden Age of Mbaqanga" this lively, groove-oriented and guitar jangle collection of 20 songs comes from Strut, the same label which has brought you... > Read more

SNAPSHOTS OF STRANGENESS: A Collection of Odd Anecdotes

SNAPSHOTS OF STRANGENESS: A Collection of Odd Anecdotes

Walt Disney Regrets Last week I spent a morning in the company of a woman who has a curious obsession: she collects soundtracks to those Walt Disney nature programmes which occasionally still... > Read more