EP review: V Sparks - 'Biscuits and Tea'

From their retro Brit-mod album artwork to the 70s glam elements of their music, Chicago indie four-piece V Sparks make it evident that they're proud to conjure up rock and roll's past. But while the three songs on their new EP, Biscuits and Tea, point toward an obvious love of Bowie and T-Rex, they also prove that the group have timeless pop songwriting down to a tee. At its core, this stuff is just good old rock 'n' roll fun that transcends eras and sub-genres, with immediate choruses plus energy and melodic hooks to spare. All three tracks are superb, from the boisterous "On My Arm" to the theatrical, attitude-heavy "Manic" to the sweeping singalong of the title track. Making the material even stronger are some wisely-used orchestral flourishes as well as genuinely impressive vocals from front man "V", who sings these songs with enough personality and gusto that you'd think his life depended on it. This one's a winner, and I for one can't wait to hear more.

Check out the first track on Biscuits and Tea below, then head over to the band's MySpace page to download the entire EP for free. You can also get their 2008 debut self-titled LP on iTunes.

Download MP3: V Sparks - "On My Arm"