Search - Sixteen Deluxe :: Emits Showers of Sparks

Indie jangle goes commercial, with pleasing results, for onc

John L Murphy | Los Angeles | 10/26/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This Austin band, who issued most of its records around the turn of the century on the Trance Syndicate label in Texas, signed to the big leagues for this 1998 album. I guess they had a bigger budget, and it shows. It's a pity that they did not break through with this confident attempt. Led by Carrie Clark's bold yet appealing vocals, the sounds here may not differ greatly from a combo of shoegazing, rootsy psychedelic (in that Texas tradition of the Trance Syndicate label), and indie rock's last gasp in the wake of REM et al. Still, it's a pleasant accompaniment when driving along, as the music picks up and carries you with it. Production, arrangements, and poise characterize this band's collection, and it deserves attention. Not five stars, for it does lack truly an original vision, but it sounds as fine as when I first heard it, and is worth tracking down.



Their later records are remarkably as strong, although I assume their budgets were less, alas. If you'd like aggressive yet complex delivery of female-dominated vocals, lots of guitar crunch and jangle, and a soundtrack for an open highway, this is it."