King Sparrow Cover Art

After a year and a half of nail-biting anticipation, Chicago’s King Sparrow have finally released their first full length album King Sparrow. These British inspired garage rockers have made a lively, free-spirited album filled with twelve catchy tunes that make you want to dance like a fool (seriously folks, I’m shaking it as I type this).

Although the trio has only been together since 2008, the band has already received high praise from critics for their five-song EP, Derailer and was hailed as the Best Emerging Band by Windy City Rock. It was no surprise then that the band would release a very impressive album filled with a tight, captivating sound electric with raw energy. King Sparrow’s inspirations only add to the sound, and it’s easy to hear bands like The Stooges, Fugazi and The Kinks threaded throughout the songs.

The album opens with the up-beat rock song “Resonator” and gives us just the right taste of things to come. It’s a simple, yet rowdy piece reminiscent of bands like Social Distortion. Although highly lively, the song is solidly grounded by a driving rock beat from John McGeown and some beautiful harmonic bass lines from Sean Price. Lead singer and guitarist Eric Ides tops the song off with chimey guitar riffs that are complementary of McGeown and Price and not the least bit overpowering. Ides vocals pull the song together and take it to the next level, and his husky vocals crack and grumble at just the right moments adding a nice raw touch.

Another album highlight is “The River”, which starts off slow, like a classic surf-rock song, but immediately launches into a fast-paced, high-energy song. McGeown makes good use of his dynamic tempo while Price once again finds all the right harmonies with Ides’ guitar. Bad boy rocker Ides makes us swoon a little as he shows his heart by singing, “Heaven know I’ve tried to be here and across the river. And tune your voice my darling, with you I would sing forever.” It’s a fun, open-hearted piece that makes you want to throw your hands up in the air and shimmy around the room.

King Sparrow takes us back to their dirty rock sound with “Derailer”.  A song from the original EP, “Derailer” uses grimmy, fuzzy guitar sounds, deeper bass lines and heavier more complex drum beats. The lyrics are cryptic, but hearing the angst in Ides’ voice it’s no mistake this is one of his darker pieces and packs some power behind it.

King Sparrow have created a fun, catchy, garage rock album that is simple in creation, but complex in emotion. King Sparrow’s resonates with vibrant harmonies and dynamic drum beats just like the greats of the past that inspired them.  For a debut full album from a band that is still wet behind the ears, King Sparrow is a highly impressive piece.  The critics were right; King Sparrow is an emerging rock band to watch. They are about to tear the roof off of garage rock in Chicago.
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Catch King Sparrow on Friday, October 15, at Schubas for the King Sparrow record release party. Tickets are available right now at Schubas.com for only $10!
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LISTEN to King Sparrow in its entirty right now at Kingsparrow.bandcamp.com.