THE SILVER MT. ZION MEMORIAL ORCHESTRA & TRA-LA-LA BAND

THE SILVER MT. ZION MEMORIAL ORCHESTRA & TRA-LA-LA BAND
BORN INTO TROUBLE

AS THE SPARKS FLY UPWARD (2001)
320 KBPS

This is probably my favorite Silver Mt Zion album, the other two registered within my brain being their debut "God Has Left Us Alone..." and their recent, more vocalized "Horses in the Sky". Though I 'might' dare say the other two albums have more climatic moments individually (re: 'might'), "Sparks" is all around the most enjoyable listening experience to be had, and is probably the first album I'd give to someone introducing the band, for multiple reasons.
Simply put, it's gorgeous. The first track is stunningly beautiful. Amazing. Romantically charged and haunting. Silver Mt. Zion simply compose beautiful melodies -- more beautiful than virtually every other band around -- and 'Sisters! Brothers!..." is one of their prettiest. Thereafter, the album follows with another beautiful piece, the angelic and mystical, somber and devestating 'This Gentle's Hearts'... Wonderful, haunting stuff. The third track, likewise.
After the album's initial twenty minutes, however, things change a bit. "Take These Hands..." is a ferociously charged vocal piece filled with various dissonant layers and echoed voices. If anything, it comes as a great change of pace, if not impressing as much musically (though it's still a great piece). 'Could've Moved Mountains', the next piece, might be the slowest on the album, and one definitely need a decent pair of headphones to hear the intricies here; harmonized vocals in different channels makes it a far more interesting listen on repeated, closer listens.
Furthermore, they simply clash with the generally timid nature of the first half of the album. The latter of the two has some wonder within the chaos, but it's just not enough.
The album ends with a soft, high note, and recalls the beauty of the strongest points of the album. The thing with this album is that there are highs and lows, but the highs are truly high, -- near heavenly. You've got at least 30 minutes of amazing music, and probably 45 minutes of great music.

1. Sisters! Brothers! Small Boats Of Fire Are Falling From The Sky!
2. This Gentle Hearts Like Shot Bird's Fallen
3. Built Then Burnt (Hurrah! Hurrah!)
4. Take These Hands And Throw Them In The River
5. Could've Moved Mountains
6. Tho You Are Gone I Still Often Walk With You
7. C'mon Come On (Lose An Endless Longing)
8. The Triumph Of Our Tired Eyes

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