Music
Press
http://www.saidthegramophone.com/archives/to_bits_with_you.php
- www.saidthegramophone.com
On “Teenage Viking”, one of the highlights from the The Lovely Sparrows’ Bury the Cynics, shaggy-haired lead singer Shawn Jones asserts that he “doesn’t speak in tongues”. While he prefers a gorgeous sing-song to linguistic outbursts, The Lovely Sparrows’ folk-pop may inspire fans to speak in tongues themselves in adoration of this gem of a record. Less “folk” and less “freak” than their west coast contemporaries, the Austin-based Lovely Sparrows explore the conventional lyrical topics of the Freak Folk genre – lost love, loneliness, nature – with an immediacy and warmth that make for what can best be described as a “lovely” record.
http://blog.soundcheckmagazine.com/2008/07/10/album-review-lovely-sparrows/
- Soundcheck Magazine
...Bury the Cynics has a lot going for it, and deserves considerable attention from the listener who appreciates a developed ensemble sound and capable vocalists. To pass up listening to Bury the Cynics is to miss out on music of a caliber that doesn't come around too often. (8.5 out of 10)
http://www.30music.com/rev.php?rev=2548
- 30Music.com
Featured band of the day May 16, 2008.
http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2008/05/lovely-sparrows-prep-new-album-offer-exclusive-mp3.html
- Paste Magazine
I submit to you another reason to pay attention to Austin—The Lovely Sparrows. - Daytrotter.com
Top-notch, tastefully polished indie-pop might not be the first thing that springs to mind when you think of the hip little oasis that is Austin; the Lovely Sparrows are working to change this. And if the harmonies (think Jose Gonzalez), rhythms and thought-provoking lyrics of Pulling Up Floors, Pouring On (New) Paint are any indication, they just may succeed. Lead Sparrow Shawn Jones pulls together a solid cast of colleagues to help flesh out his delicate, folky compositions and create the much-needed counter-points (especially the boy-girl dynamic on many of the vocals) that give the album its wings. The five songs on this tasty little EP go by way too fast, leaving you wanting more. - Harp Magazine
If I was asked to peg an album from a local act as a possible break out effort it would certainly be The Lovely Sparrows upcoming debut full length, Bury The Cynics. Why them? Because the Pulling Up Floors, Pouring On (New) Paint EP was stellar enough to give me confidence and high hopes for anything they're planning on putting out...You won't find anything easier to absolutely adore if you tried. - Austin Sound
The Lovely Sparrows are a well kept Austin music secret, but not for much longer. First, Daytrotter got them for their world famous recording sessions and since then more and more heads have been turning and feet tapping. Their performance at last year’s Draft Sessions was certainly memorable and left me wanting more but Shawn Jones and the rest have been reclusively working on new material (and what looks like a new website.) The new full length is going to be called Bury the Cynics and from the new MP3 below it sounds to be every bit as epic and dynamic as anything off their last Pulling Up Floors, Pouring On (new) Paint. Aside from the fact that we (Americans) will be getting more songs than the impressive EP- we will also have the option to purchase it on vinyl (for freedom)! - Party Ends
Austin's The Lovely Sparrows are back with a brand new album, Bury The Comics. Headed by singer/songwriter Shawn Jones and a revolving group of friends, we're mighty anxious to hear his latest batch of folk-pop songs. - The Tripwire
Discography
Bury The Cynics CDLP
Abandoned Love Records/The Rebel Group
Forthcoming (July 2008)
Pulling Up Floors, Pouring on (New) Paint CDEP
Abandoned Love Records
October 10, 2006
Take Your Hats Off You Godless Bastards 7 inch
Self-Released
February 2006
Photos
Bio
Formed in 2005 by singer/songwriter Shawn Jones (Something Happened, Larks & Owls) and longtime friend and collaborator Jason Cooper (Empty Suits, Larks & Owls), The Lovely Sparrows is the culmination of over a decade of slugging it out in the southwestern indie rock circuit. The earliest incarnation of the band, which can be heard on 2005s self-released Take Your Hats Off You Godless Bastards 7 inch, reveled in Pavement and Bob Pollard-style laconic fuzz pop.
Their early bash and pop revelry, however, was to be short-lived after a romantic split between Jones and bandmate Meaghan Perry stripped away the bands fuzzy, upbeat pop leanings. Jones rebuilt the band, embarked on a brief, danger-prone West Coast solo tour, dealt with numerous house floods, and recorded the bands debut EP in the wake if that breakup. Friends as well as former, current and occasional members of the band contributed their talents to flesh out Pulling up Floors, Pouring on (New) Paint, which was released to small-scale acclaim on upstart label Abandoned Love Records. The EP received positive reviews from the likes of Harp and Paste as well as a host of bloggers and radio stations such as KUT, KVRX, and KSZU. The band showcased at SXSW then embarked on a few short tours of the East Coast and Midwest, recording a Daytrotter session and picking up discerning fans along the way.
Momentum led Jones to pen his most accomplished and ambitious songs to date which have been meticulously fleshed-out and captured on the bands debut LP, Bury the Cynics. Set for release on July 8th, 2008 by Abandoned Love Records and the Rebel Group, Bury the Cynics marries lyrical pop sensibilities with Jones formal musical composition and performance training.
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