Live Review: FLASHBACK: Sparklehorse 'It's A Wonderful Life'

Back in the days before every indie band took a three-month-long hiatus to the nearest rural shack for album inspiration—there was SPARKLEHORSE, and his 2001 hit ‘It’s A Wonderful Life.’ A little bit folk, a little bit electronic- the music of Virginian-born MARK LINKOUS never really hit off commercially. Despite this, he toured with RADIOHEAD in 1996 and gained the respect and appreciation of the music elite and mag industry (with write-ups in the Rolling Stone and NME).

A fatal drug overdose was said to have inspired this track, taken from their third full album of the same name. But it’s also about seeking hope in the world and both embracing and overcoming depression, loneliness and alienation. There’s some great animal imagery and cryptic lyrics: “I’m full of bees who died at sea” – take what you will.  The solid waltz played on a kilter optigan (a sort of old organ) provides the foundations to a haunting, fragile melody- dotted with radio static and played through a crackling filter.

‘It’s A Wonderful Life’ is a good starting point to explore SPARKLEHORSE as a band. Besides, we love rediscovering forgotten musical treasures. You may even recognise it from the Skins season 3 soundtrack.

Sadly, Mark Linkous killed himself on March 6, 2010- making the song’s optimism linger. This track truly is a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, wrapped in an enigma.

Words by Antigone Anagnostellis.

LISTEN TO SPARKLEHORSE ON RDIO