Sparklehorse @ The Liquid Room

Tender troubadour or baroque bombardier; either way Mark Linkous is a curious enigma. Sombrely flaunting Sparklehorse's ascetic melancholy, tonight he devoutly sprinkles buttercup melodies and tin can riffs over the salivating Liquid Room. Floating into the ponderous Don't Take My Sunshine, Linkous' muzzled vocals scythe through the crowd with the precision of a vocal bayonet. His travelled tones dazzle sumptuously in the dawn dew symphonies of Apple Bed and More Yellow but he's just as comfortable cavorting in the scuzzy distortion of the PJ Harvey-less Piano Fire or stomping tempo of I Will Treat You Good. Catatonically engaging, it's an evocative set of rich lyrical imagery entwined with tight craftsmanship that nuzzles on your conscience before plucking away at your heartstrings. Never coming within an inch of a smile, Linkous remains an intriguing bewilderment but after this peerless performance you wouldn't have it any other way. [Billy Hamilton]