Sammamish-based Sparkfarmer brings together four veteran musicians in a band that blends pop, rock and country influences in the songwriting process. The band consists of Getty on guitars, saxophone and vocals, Steve Leigh on guitar, keyboards and vocals, David Baumert on bass and vocals and Tim Osborne on drums.
“Stereo Biplane” has 12 songs, each written by either Getty, Leigh or Baumert. Lead vocal duties are handled by the individual who wrote a particular song, giving Sparkfarmer three distinct voices.
The leadoff track, written by Leigh, suggests a Tom Petty influence.
Getty, a Louisiana native, wrote “Point Blank.” It reveals an Allman Brothers influence, no doubt a nod to his Southern roots, with traces of pop.
“All About You” picks up the pace tempo-wise.
“You Again,” written by Getty, tells a tender-sweet tale of a man looking back at what could have been with a relationship. “I see this life’s been good to you/ the city lights with an ocean view/ a diamond bright my how you glow/ happiness by the boatload.”
“Take It Like A Man” is a slow, mellow number. Pedal steel guitar, provided by guest musician Mike Klink, adds a country touch. It is a about a man who is married with children and coming to grips with the responsibilities of adulthood. “When they took his job they took his pride/ but a bottle won’t give him the kind of strength he needs/ to take it like a man.”
Baumert takes Sparkfarmer in a reggae direction with “Uplink.” Getty offers short blasts of sax throughout, then takes a short solo near the end.
“West On I-10” is about a man heading home from a road trip, wondering if his woman still has feelings for him. “Will she welcome me with open arms/ or will the door slam right in my face/ am I Clark Gable or her Cary Grant/ or just a number in her resume.” Harmonica by Getty and pedal steel by Klink create a real down-home country sound.
“Make It” is a mid-tempo rocker that features more examples of Getty’s skills on saxophone.
Pedal steel on “One Salty Tear” suggests country, but the overall sound and pace suggests Mother Love Bone, a key band in the Seattle alternative rock scene of 20 years ago.
The music of “Won’t Stop Loving You” recalls “The Pusher” by Steppenwolf.
The album closes with the instrumental “Cascades Run-off.” This mellow, acoustic number sounds like it was written while the composer sat around a campfire in the woods.
Sparkfarmer has four people with different musical leanings. The combination works well. “Stereo Biplane” is a cohesive effort that benefits from the diversity in the songwriting.
For more information on the band visit http://www.sparkfarmer.com.
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