Music : It's a Wonderful Life

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Binding: Audio CD
EAN: 0724353470920
Format: Limited Edition
Label: Capitol
Manufacturer: Capitol
Number Of Discs: 1
Publisher: Capitol
Release Date: August 28, 2001
Sales Rank: 43902
Studio: Capitol

Editorial Review:

Amazon.com's Best of 2001:
Like Neil Young on the finer moments of Tonight's the Night, Sparklehorse leader Mark Linkous nails the lonesome-man dirge to the wall on this third long-player. Along with his kindred contemporaries (and guest musicians) Mercury Rev and Grandaddy, Linkous makes little secret of his worship for the Neil Young vibe, and he takes it in a direction that Young has never fully realized. It's a Wonderful Life's sweet melodies sound as if they were recorded on corroded tape, with fragility inherent both lyrically and musically; yet this is the least psychotic, and most cohesive Sparklehorse album to date. Linkous and his mates also benefit from appearances by Tom Waits, Cardigans crooner Nina Persson, and the most effectively used guest of all, PJ Harvey, who bites hard on one of the CD's few static rockers, "Piano Fire." Other highlights include the almost-fit-for-radio "King of Nails," the piano ballad "Sea of Teeth," and the hidden bonus track (eight minutes into track 13), "Morning Hollow." Linkous moans on the title track, "I'm a bog of poison frogs / It's a wonderful life / It's a wonderful life." Get the feeling that this might not be for everybody? Thank God for that. --Chris Paul Carter

Average Rating:

Rating: - Genius
This is a review for any of his records. He is one of best songwriters I have heard in the last two decades. Very underrated. Beautiful songs, amazing melodies and I dunno worrds fail me in describing how amazing and beautiful his albums are. He is the male equivalent to someone like Pj Harvey in regards to the sincerity and conviction in their music and even as people. I hope people catch on someday on this genius.

Rating: - One of my top ten favorite albums
I first got into Sparklehorse with "Good Morning Spider" and the song "Sunshine". I love that album but, after many albums, it still has some real sucky songs; ie. "Cruel Sun".

I loved IAWL from the first time I listened to it, I think it's their masterpiece. Almost every song on the album is very good in it's simplicity and musical warmth. One reviewer said that it is a good fall album... I couldn't agree more. Musical tones are supposed to have a certain color resemblance and this ... Read More

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Rating: - Nice sounds but...
Pleasant, but not all that original. The influences motivating this music are too easily discernable. The result is formulaic - albeit a much more complex formula than the vast majority of the drivel that passes for music.

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Rating: - Sparklehorse/Its a Wonderful Life
I love this haunting, melancholic album that draws you into a trance of nostalgia that you are unfamiliar with, if that makes any sense. I love the odd lyrics and the tranquil tunes juxtaposed with the rawness of distortion. Even so, the album still remains tranquil, and dreamy. It stimulates not only my sense of hearing, but all the senses with its state of dreaminess.

Its unlike any album that I have, and it has definately made me a Sparklehorse fan.

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Rating: - Really beautiful recording, really beautiful poems, voice, rock, & roll.
This album is soulful, well crafted, and freaking great. It's highly evolved elemental rock and roll. Mark Linkous' vocals are really beautiful and varied on this one. His imagery and themes are developed well. Crazy great harmonies by PJ Harvey and Sophie Michelitsianos break your heart wide open. Yup, freaking great.