Sparklehorse: Mark Linkous (vocals, various instruments). Additional personnel: Bob Rupe (vocals, bass); David Charles (acoustic & electric guitars, keyboards, bass, drums); Mike Lucas (pedal steel guitar); Dennis Herring (vibraphone); Armstead Wellford (bass); Johnny Hott (drums, percussion); David Bush (drums); Paul Watson (effects). Producers: Mark Linkous, David Charles, Dennis Herring. Recorded at Sound Of Music, Richmond, Virginia; Static King, Virginia; Bad Animals, Seattle, Washington. VIVADIXIESUBMARINETRANSMISSIONPLOT is an impressive debut, sprung fully formed from the head of Sparklehorse songwriter Mark Linkous. A melancholy ode to rural America, the album meanders between sparse, whispered lullabies like "Heart of Darkness" and distortion-drenched rockers like "Hammering the Cramps" while remaining oddly cohesive. Opening with the sleepy "Homecoming Queen," Linkous immediately quotes Shakespeare ("A horse, a horse...my kingdom for a horse...") and establishes his seemingly contradictory lush/lo-fi sound. Not content with structured songs alone, he also adds bursts of noise, samples, and tape loops to the mix on tracks like "850 Double Pumper Holley," "Little Bastard Choo Choo" and "Ballad of a Cold Lost Marble." Linkous has obviously done his musical and cinematic homework, revisiting Neil Young's "burned-out basement" (from "After the Gold Rush") in "Spirit Ditch," and quoting characters played by Roberto Benigni and Tom Waits from Jim Jarmusch's film DOWN BY LAW in "Sad & Beautiful World." In fact, despite extremely different vocal styles, Waits is frequently cited by Linkous as a major influence, and hints of Waits' oddball aesthetic are present throughout the album. Ultimately, however, it's Linkous' own vision that carries this rustic, ramshackle masterpiece.

• Format: Vinyl
• Released: 02/08/2011