They burned brightly, but briefly. Now, they have rekindled the flame. For Beachwood Sparks, the metaphor is all too easy and all too apt. The band’s discography is succinct: two albums, plus an EP and a few singles. There wasn’t much, but there was something indelible about those records. They took the cosmic American music of the Flying Burrito Brothers and Byrds, added the bittersweet sounds of middle-period Beach Boys and Sister Lovers Big Star, then turned them into a sun-dappled, dreamy, psychedelic brand of alt-country. But by 2002, Beachwood had run its course, and the group disbanded amicably, five years after it formed. Now a decade later, Beachwood Sparks—guitarists Farmer Dave Scher and Chris Gunst, bassist Brent Rademaker and drummer Aaron Sperske—is back with The Tarnished Gold (Sub Pop). The quartet will also be guest editing magnet magazine.com all week. Read our new feature on the band.
Scher: Put these on the television and transform your world.
1. The Natural Art
Probably the best one for non-surfers: mental editing effects, maximum freak-out features, radical rock ‘n’ roll footage and very heady soundtrack including Sandy Bull and much, much more.
2. The Innermost Limits Of Pure Fun
Innovative surfer George Greenough made this killer soundtrack-driven gem by the Farm (more on them later).
3. The Californians
This movie is a treasure, and it illustrates from a deep pocket how surfing in California evolved with the culture in the critical years of 1966-1972. Very classic footage (even some Sunset Strip night-life scenes), and informative as hell. Thanks, Mr. Jamie Budge. The transitional period from longboard to shortboard surfing has never been so well covered.
4. Bad Footage!
Great contemporary longboard footage from the brothers Marshall. There’s some radical business on there. Soundtrack by Cass McCombs and a couple from yours truly.
5. Morning Of The Earth
Leave it to the magic Aussies of the early ’70s. There probably wouldn’t be a Tame Impala if there wasn’t a Morning Of The Earth. Wicked soundtrack, groundbreaking surfing, mad travel style.
Video after the jump.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KT9kjQ3LLH0
