Review by AVA LIVERSIDGE
Los Angeles alt-country outfit Beachwood Sparks make their comeback with album Across the River of Stars, released via Curation Records. As the first project following a 12-year hiatus, their latest settles back into the folky psychedelia that initially ushered in the band’s success. Wafts of Wilco and the Flying Burrito Band mingle on this easy-listening nine-track collection.
Openers “My Love, My Love” and “Torn in Two” are placid alt-rock cuts kept afloat by vocalist Josh Schawrtz’ subdued, yet pining delivery. The duo is completed by our first taste of the more mind-melting side of their psychedelic interludes—a twangy guitar solo at the close of “Torn in Two.” Here on out, Beachwood Sparks find themselves free to lean into their dreamier, janglier, more acidic inclinations.
“Falling Forever” and “Gem” bring Sargent Peppers-esque and acid country into conversation with Schwartz and Rademaker’s easy harmonizing and the deliciously simple twang of a couple resonators. “Gentle Samurai” features the outfit’s knack for quirky lyricism and a kraut-rocky addition of dubbed bird whistles. The Oohs and Aahs at the cornerstone of the Sparks’ vocal approach seem to soar above their alt-country instrumentation, accompanying listeners through peaks and valleys—homegrown folky tunes and celestial forays. Closer “Wild Swans” gently lowers us listeners back to Earth, opting for a playful acoustic track to escort us home: “You’re my friend / until the music ends…It seems the music never ends.”
Comeback LP Across the River of Stars is an undeniable success, but what exactly it succeeds at is less obvious. Both instrumentally ambitious—see the searing guitar solos, jangly country break downs, and spare electronic flourishes (“Gentle Samurai,” “Gem”)—and lyrically delightful—they try on both sincerity and downright bizarreness (“Faded Glory” to “Dolphin Dance”)—Beachwood Sparks made a record that very much sounds like themselves. If the group needed twelve years gearing up to deliver their characteristic kaleidoscopic intrigue, so be it. Across the River of Stars was well worth the wait.
Check out ‘Across the River of Stars’ here:
