After three years on the Australian music scene, indie-rock four-piece Sparkadia finally bit the bullet and moved to London to record this promising debut alongside producer Ben Hiller (Blur, Elbow). The twelve songs here offer mostly upbeat indie tunes that juxtapose offbeat reggae rhythms with punk guitar in a style not dissimilar to that of The Police.
On top of that base, moments of melodramatic piano (Help Yourself), agitated strings (Connected), and spacious musical landscapes (Our Own Way) reveal there's more to Sparkadia than a first impression might imply. Alex Burnett's lead vocals are often reminiscent of Fleet Foxes' Robin Pecknold, and though the styling is different, Sparkadia do provide some impressive hazy harmonic backing vocals of their own.
What lets Postcards down is the oh so average nature of its more single friendly material, in particular lead single Morning Light, with the "let go" of its chorus droning with familiarity. Jealousy also smacks of indie-pop typicality, among several songs that reveal nothing of the energy and gravity of which Sparkadia are capable.
To choose singles with such a lack of individuality would surely lead Sparkadia into indie obscurity were it not for the more commanding tones of songs like Animals which moves from potent British Sea Power style opening through pulsating rock body to faerie-folk bridge and back again. Closing track Sleeping Lion begins with Counting Crows style plucked guitar soon to be overcome by soothing harmonies and rolling drums, providing an ambient outro that proves Sparkadia are nothing if not versatile.
