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I have a simple request that I'd like to make for new bands: Please be careful with the song you pick as the first track on your EP or album. To exemplify my point, we have Sparks the Rescue. After getting past the slightly overdramatic artwork that my promo copy for this digital-only EP was wrapped in, I was pleasantly surprised by what sounded like a half-decent pop-punk band that drew heavily from the nü-emo sector. It sounded like the band had taken a few lessons from Cartel and the Starting Line and combined it with a splash of Saosin and Boys Night Out, and while not terribly original, the opener "Saco Boys Have No Class" was better than I expected.

But then track two opened up with a scream. Not a balls-out scream that you hear in good hardcore, but one of those screams that sound like the guy might have vomited at the time of recording it in order to capture that sound. And even though the song started with what sounded like a gritty rock'n'roll riff, "Getting Clean in the Dirty South" quickly turned into what I later discovered the rest of the EP was: standard nü-screamo. Take your pick: Scary Kids Scaring Kids, My American Heart, Chiodos...the group falls into that brand of music that has a sound as familiar as the haircuts sported by the kids who listen to it.

Now, the EP does have some redeeming features. Vocally (aside from the aforementioned screaming), the band is quite adept. Five of the six members of the group contribute vocals on The Secrets We Can't Keep, and though there are some nice harmonies to be found, the band still doesn't seem to use this to their advantage outside of a few choice moments. Instrumentally, the band also manages to be as tight as the pants they wear, with some solid drumming and good guitar riffs throughout. When you can hear the synth (which is rare), it does add some memorable little moments, but these synth bits are few and far between.

Luckily, this band has years to develop. With an average age of 19, the boys need to mature and bring in some new influences so that their music can find a way to distinguish itself in an oversaturated genre. If they take their time to use their talents to craft the catchy tunes that the album's opener promised, they could have a hit on their hands, but until then, all they have to show for their efforts is an EP of wasted potential.



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    Posted by ShawnLemont on 2007-06-13 07:50:10

    I Have OCD.

    Posted by Allular on 2007-06-10 18:25:37

    I Entirely Love This Album. It Might Be Because I Have Seen Them Live Before, But Otherwise My Favorite Album This Summer So Far. In My Eyes, Sparks Is Still The Local Band That EVERYONE Knows And Goes Out To See. Everyone Means Everyone, A Ridiculous Following For A Band From Maine. The Lyrics Are So Genuine In The Sense That People Can Relate, And The Fact They Are Super Catchy. I Often Find Them Stuck In My Head.

    I Think Everyone Needs To Stop And Think About SPARKS THE RESCUE And The Market They Had To Succeed In. Portland, Maine. It Isn't Exactly A Well Of Oppourtunities For Musicians. Unless Your From Maine, You Don't Really Know Of Any Bands That Have Ever Made It From The State.

    In Conclusion, Sparks Knows Their Scene. They Know How To Influence Young Kids With Powerful Words. If You Get The Chance To See Them Live, I'd Say Do It.... I'd Say Give Them That Chance. Their Live Show And Crowd Reaction Will Blow Your Mind. This Is The Type Of Crowd Reaction My Chemical Romance Gets When They Storm The Stage. It's Not Only Intense, It's Alot Of Fun. And Too Boot, They Are All Really Nice Guys. I See These Kids Taking Off In The Future. This Isn't The Last We've Heard From These Kids...

    Back to English 1010 for you. Jeeeeez.

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, June 10, 2007 at 11:21 AM (EDT)

    Sucky Maine punk:

    Sparks The Rescue
    The Killing Moon

    Good Maine punk:

    The Leftovers
    Covered In Bees
    Hi-Fivin White Guys
    Cruel Hand
    Outbreak

    There, I said it

    By the way, Portland, Maine was incorporated in 1786. Portland, Oregon was incorporated in 1851. Therefore, Portland, ME is the "real" Portland.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, June 8, 2007 at 9:23 PM (EDT)

    If you put a guy with a bleeding heart on your album, I won't buy it. It's like universal sign of suck.

    Posted by inagreendase on 2007-06-08 20:12:08

    The first poster's post was automatically rendered that way because he unnecessarily typed the whole thing in CAPS-LOCK. I can't imagine which would've been more annoying.

    It Isn't Exactly A Well Of Oppourtunities For Musicians. Unless Your From Maine, You Don't Really Know Of Any Bands That Have Ever Made It From The State.

    Outbreak is getting pretty big.

    Cruel Hand is decent.

    Reunion is superb and will hopefully blow up.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, June 8, 2007 at 6:52 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    Score is for Portland, OR....or "the real Portland" as it were. westside. wait, wait, I mean, weestsiiiiiiiiide....you know, like the rappers say it

    Posted by eexperiment on 2007-06-08 15:50:09

    ... and yeah, those capitol letters are annoying

    Posted by eexperiment on 2007-06-08 15:49:27

    Any band that has "made it" from the Portland just knew the right people. There are plenty of great bands in this state, but no one will ever hear them just because they don't play by the rules. Most bands in Maine are concentrating on making cool music instead of shaking the right hands and giving blow jobs to the right people.

    Not to say Sparks The Rescue give good blow jobs, I really don't know them all that well to say that.... but they certainly do concentrate a lot on touring, doing interviews, playing shows, and promo. They are working hard to 'make it' and it looks like it might pay off for them. Good for them.

    Posted by oskurt_redwall on 2007-06-08 14:51:00

    I lived in Maine for five years and we did not use capitals like that.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, June 8, 2007 at 11:48 AM (EDT)

    Worst cover art ever?

    Posted by ChokingVictim on 2007-06-08 11:19:12

    The first comment had so many capital letters it hurt my eyes.

    Posted by 88-fingers-tony on 2007-06-08 10:45:23
    My Score:

    good review, Darren.

    score is for the new Brokedowns record.

    Posted by thus_spoke_sean on 2007-06-08 09:21:14

    damn, i guess i meant "below comment-er"

    Posted by thus_spoke_sean on 2007-06-08 09:20:41

    I can agree with the above comment-er that the portland scene definitly sucks. but that doesnt really come into play on how good the music is. Now, i haven't listened to this, so i won't comment on the music. my friend scott who eventually became their merch dude played me some demos that sounded good, but i never gave it a serious listen.

    I just wanted to say that 'making it' out of a shitty scene doesnt mean you're good. it means they were got popular, and i think we all know there is a big difference between the two.

    Posted by ShawnLemont on 2007-06-08 06:29:10

    I Entirely Love This Album. It Might Be Because I Have Seen Them Live Before, But Otherwise My Favorite Album This Summer So Far. In My Eyes, Sparks Is Still The Local Band That EVERYONE Knows And Goes Out To See. Everyone Means Everyone, A Ridiculous Following For A Band From Maine. The Lyrics Are So Genuine In The Sense That People Can Relate, And The Fact They Are Super Catchy. I Often Find Them Stuck In My Head.

    I Think Everyone Needs To Stop And Think About SPARKS THE RESCUE And The Market They Had To Succeed In. Portland, Maine. It Isn't Exactly A Well Of Oppourtunities For Musicians. Unless Your From Maine, You Don't Really Know Of Any Bands That Have Ever Made It From The State.

    In Conclusion, Sparks Knows Their Scene. They Know How To Influence Young Kids With Powerful Words. If You Get The Chance To See Them Live, I'd Say Do It.... I'd Say Give Them That Chance. Their Live Show And Crowd Reaction Will Blow Your Mind. This Is The Type Of Crowd Reaction My Chemical Romance Gets When They Storm The Stage. It's Not Only Intense, It's Alot Of Fun. And Too Boot, They Are All Really Nice Guys. I See These Kids Taking Off In The Future. This Isn't The Last We've Heard From These Kids...

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