Single/Video Review: Sparrow

A short while back I reviewed Ash Tree Lament by MOoFiSh, and the first thing I said was that I had no idea how on earth I was going to be able to describe it, and now I have their latest single I am wondering why on earth I volunteered as I have exactly the same problem! There is just so much going on in this arrangement, from complex layers to simplicity, that one really does not know where to start. When one realises the music was written and recorded in two days, with Chris recording acoustic guitar and drums, then bass, piano, and finally electric guitar and Rhonda writing the words in just 15 minutes, then one can fully appreciate that they have been partners for more than 30 years. The lyrics and music come together to create something which is a world away from reality, getting us to relate to and think of a sparrow, probably has a family, is free to fly, does not need a job, gets its food and lodgings free, has no ego, and is literally a free spirit.

There are times when Rhonda’s vocals are single, others where they are multi-tracked, while Chris creates a tapestry of sound as he weaves the threads, with the electric noodling tying everything together. The video is a delight, with imagery created by StefWithAnF which has then been treated with Chris and Rhonda sometimes appearing in the background, with psychedelic images and styles over the top, with the video being as much a piece of art as the song itself, with the two combining together to create something which is psychedelic, pop, New Age, Kate Bush, beautiful, delicate and mesmerising.