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For an album that was released at the very end of 2007, I Am David Sparkle’s This is the New has unfortunately been slow to get a glimpse of the spotlight here at SF. Those who downloaded our latest compilation may remember the band’s track “All There Is To It” from the first disc, but a closer look at the album indicates that there is a lot more to be said about this young instrumental group from Singapore.

Simply put, I Am David Sparkle will probably fall under the “post-rock” category for most listeners, but their unique incorporation of trip-hop and down-tempo electronic elements allows them to stand well above their peers in terms of originality. Some tracks stay the path, occasionally venturing into heavier riff-oriented structures, while others embark on journeys of pure electronic beats and samples. “Jaded Afghan,” one of the album’s most noteworthy tracks, is a perfect blend of the two styles, delivering soothing guitar melodies over crunchy percussion and ethereal synth chords. Each track is delivered with enough variation to keep things interesting throughout, not to mention a pleasant mode of accessibility that will allow the band’s style to appeal to many walks of life.

While I’m not totally convinced that I Am David Sparkle have what it takes yet to be the world’s next big instrumental act, This Is The New is nonetheless and impressive and highly entertaining debut. The band’s ability to combine various sounds and styles in an effective manner is clearly their strongest trait, and will undoubtedly carry them far into their career. If you’re looking for a fun, no-nonsense instrumental album with a tinge of electronica, this is definitely a good place to start.

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Reviewer: Sean Butze Added: April 29th 2008