Beachwood Sparks - Once We Were Trees (Sub Pop, 2001)

Beachwood Sparks
Once We Were Trees
Sub Pop
2001

Rating: 9 canyon hippies out of 10

The sophmore album for the LA-based Beachwood Sparks, "Once We Were Trees", follows along the same road as their self titled debut from 2000. That is to say, they continue trying their hand at well crafted songs that blend California pop and the twang from Nashville. The comparisons to older bands is obvious – The Byrds, Buffalo Springfield, Crosby Stills Nash and Young, Flying Burrito Brothers, and even the Grateful Dead But rather than just rip off these now classic artists, they have taken that sound they pioneered and brought it into the 21st century. Some might consider them alternative country, and it does feature some of the typical touchstones of that genre, the vocals are much closer to the harmonies of the Beach Boys than to that of a Steve Earle or Jay Farrar.

Some of the songs catch the band in a meandering, jam-friendly mood, whereas other times they are straightforward and tight. The different styles seem to complement rather than subtract from the sound, and the entire package is quite good. Some of my personal favorites include ‘Yer Selfish Ways’, ‘The Good Night Whistle’, and my personal favorite, ‘By Your Side’. It’s interesting to note that ‘By Your Side’ was originally a Sade song, and while I have reservations in naming a cover song as my favorite by any particular band, their version is so fresh and different that it actually took me a couple of listens for it to sink in exactly that I had heard the song before. Either way, it’s damn good, as is the entire album.