Performer Notes

Sparklehorse: Mark Linkous (keyboards, bass guitar).
Personnel: Mark Linkous (vocals, guitar, baritone guitar, E-bow, strings, electric piano, pump organ, chamberlin, synthesizer, drums, sampler); Sofie Michalitsianos (vocals); Steven Drozd (guitar, drums); Matthew Linkous (guitar); Alan Weatherhead (lap steel guitar, pump organ); Melissa Moore, Joan Wasser (violin); Jane Scarpantoni (cello); Tim Regan, Johnny Hott, Tom Waits (piano); Scott Minor (harmonium, drums, electronics); Danger Mouse (organ, drum programming, sampler); Dave Fridmann (Wurlitzer organ, chamberlin, Mellotron, vibraphone).
Additional personnel: Rex White (pedal steel guitar); Dave Fridmann (bass guitar); Scott Miner (drums, electronics); Steven Broad, Johnny Hott (drums); Danger Mouse, Tim Regan, Steven Drozd, Tom Waits.
Audio Mixers: Danger Mouse; Mark Linkous; Dave Fridmann; Beau Sorenson; Alan Weatherhead .
Recording information: Altamont; Bit-A-Beat; Static King; TarBox Road; Wission Sound.
Illustrator: Robert Pokorny.
Photographer: Timothy Saccenti.
More than five years after 2001's highly acclaimed IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE, Sparklehorse's Mark Linkous finally re-emerged from some rustic lair with DREAMT FOR LIGHT YEARS IN THE BELLY OF A MOUNTAIN, a title that seemingly doubles as a cryptic explanation for his absence. As always, this Sparklehorse outing is gilded with Linkous's warmly inviting, yet vaguely haunting arrangements, and his favorite narrative elements (sharp objects, spirits, etc.). While there are rocked-out Pixies-like moments (the searing "Ghost in the Sky" and the urgent "It's Not So Hard"), Linkous primarily leads his fellow travelers--including Tom Waits (on piano only), the Flaming Lips' Steven Drozd, and (oddly enough) Dangermouse--down scenic rural detours such as the dreamy "Don't Take My Sunshine Away" and the gorgeously melodic "Shade and Honey." Although Sparklehorse diehards will recognize a few tracks as previously released rarities, anyone who appreciates Linkous's fascinating vision will not be disappointed.

Professional Reviews

Rolling Stone (p.74) - 3 stars out of 5 -- "Danger Mouse can't help but brighten up his section of the album, but the rest of LIGHT YEARS is vintage dreamy 'Horse."

Spin (p.104) - 3.5 stars out of 5 -- "[S]wirling psychedelic pop, frenetic British Invasion bashers, and languid California country rock....The sound remains crisp, ensuring that its rough-hewn beauty shines through."

Spin (p.57) - Ranked #34 in Spin's "The 40 Best Albums of 2006" -- "[With] timeless melodies and delicate lyrics that toggle between effervescent and achingly sad."

Entertainment Weekly (p.83) - "Linkous' cracked, occasionally Gollum-like vocal delivery provides the comforting anchor to this simply dreamy album." -- Grade: A-

Q (p.118) - Ranked #59 in Q Magazine's "100 Greatest Albums of 2006."

Uncut (p.120) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "Linkous' imagery is febrile, with stars dying in his chest, fat spiders exploding in the sun, flocks of knives cutting the sky....It's unmistakable, unsettling, classic Linkous."

No Depression (p.101) - "The music of Sparklehorse is roots-rock, but the roots aren't buried in the earth. Instead, they've been upended, spreading outward like branches, drawing their sweetness and energy from the thin air."

Mojo (Publisher) (p.96) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "[T]hey fuse oddly enchanting sounds and mysterious images with engaging, hazy pop melodies."

Album: Dreamt for Light Years in the Belly of a Mountain *
#	Song Title		Time
1)	Don't Take My Sunshine Away	More Info...	0:03
2)	Getting It Wrong	More Info...	0:02
3)	Shade And Honey	More Info...	0:04
4)	See the Light	More Info...	0:03
5)	Return to Me	More Info...	0:03
6)	Some Sweet Day	More Info...	0:04
7)	Ghost In The Sky	More Info...	0:03
8)	Mountains	More Info...	0:03
9)	Morning Hollow	More Info...	0:07
10)	It's Not So Hard	More Info...	0:03
11)	Knives Of Summertime	More Info...	0:04
12)	Dreamt For Light Years In The Belly Of A Mountain	More Info...	0:10

Album: Dreamt for Light Years in the Belly of a Mountain *
#	Song Title		Time
1)	Don't Take My Sunshine Away	More Info...	0:03
2)	Getting It Wrong	More Info...	0:02
3)	Shade And Honey	More Info...	0:04
4)	See the Light	More Info...	0:03
5)	Return to Me	More Info...	0:03
6)	Some Sweet Day	More Info...	0:04
7)	Ghost In The Sky	More Info...	0:03
8)	Mountains	More Info...	0:03
9)	Morning Hollow	More Info...	0:07
10)	It's Not So Hard	More Info...	0:03
11)	Knives Of Summertime	More Info...	0:04
12)	Dreamt For Light Years In The Belly Of A Mountain	More Info...	0:10