The Very Good Agency

Sam Sparro

I first saw Sam Sparro on Rove a couple of weeks ago wearing some rather swanky, shiny, purple shoes and I superficially thought someone with such taste must be worth a listen. I was therefore not surprised or disappointed to learn his music is indeed as funky as his fashion sense. Sam Sparro’s debut self-titled album is a naughty, neon explosion of new wave, pop, electro and funk held together by one of the best voices I’ve heard belonging to a white guy. Let’s be honest, this album is not exactly profound; the kind of album to get drunk to and perhaps do a bit of glow-stick dancing (not a common pursuit for me of course, but music is about self expression, right?) Sparro set out to create an album of pure escapism and has achieved just that showing shades of Prince, Jamiraquoi, Stevie Wonder and Daft Punk along the way.

Sam Sparro – Cottonmouth
If you’re unlucky enough to have been listening to the radio in the last couple of months you’ve probably already heard Sam Sparro. The mainstream friendly single ‘Black and Gold’ has been receiving huge air-time and provides a welcome blip on an otherwise barren pop landscape. Not since Robyn’s self-titled album reached our airwaves last year, have I so enjoyed such mainstream fodder. Unfortunately, ‘Black and Gold’ will likely be chewed up and repeatedly regurgitated until your ears bleed, but hey, the nature of the beast. On the surface the track appears to be your standard love song, but is actually an ode to the man upstairs and when you learn that Sparro plied his trade by accompanying his father, an accomplished gospel singer, on tour, it’s easy to see where this huge, soulful voice was honed.

Sam Sparro 21st Century Life

Born in Australia, he moved to Los Angeles when he was ten and has drifted between there and England
ever since (no doubt there will be various claims staked on him because of this.) He writes, performs (you’d hope so) produces and arranges all his own music and even goes so far as to contribute his own artwork and the odd, funny behind-the-scenes video to YouTube. Sam Sparro obviously has a very fluorescent future ahead of him but this album is not perfect, there are a couple of tracks that are just too small for his big voice. ‘Waiting for Time’ has tried to take a darker tone, but ends up just dreary in comparison and I couldn’t suppress a snigger on the track ‘Clingwrap’ which actually says “you must have thought I was your snack, cos’ you’re sticking to me like clingwrap”?! That’s not to say he isn’t afraid to tackle the tough issues. Anyone ever afflicted with the dry-horrors will appreciate the concerns of the mock-rap track ‘Cottonmouth.’ In all seriousness though, when Sam Sparro gets it right you won’t be able to turn it off. I have been humming songs like the opening track ‘Too Many Questions’ and second single ‘21st Century Life’ so incessantly that I’ve been getting funny looks on the tram. “I want my music to take people out of their own life and make them feel happy and feel that they are more than they think they are, whatever that is. The world is not as ordinary as people want you to think it is. If the music can make you forget about your stupid job and your bills and your relationship problems for half an hour, I’m happy with that.” Well said Sam, where will you and your shiny shoes take us next…

You can check out more of Sam Sparro at:

www.myspace.com/samsparro

www.samsparro.com

…Alesha

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