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Value for money. It's not a concept often touted as a unique selling point, the very notion of 'product' being the very antithesis of rock'n'roll, but tonight, on Sparklehorse's first UK tour in three years, it's what we get. It's a tale of two Sparklehorses: one, present in spades on the stunning, if inaccurately named, new album ‘Dreamt For Light Years In The Belly Of A Mountain’, delivers a bittersweet mix of Americana. The other deals in twisted fables and raucous, skewed indie rock. Neither, though, despite countless plaudits and famous friends (Thom Yorke, Dangermouse), has ever capitalised on their critical success like his peers, the now defunct Grandaddy or The Flaming Lips. Add to the mix frontman Mark Linkous' series of personal tragedies (alcoholism, depression and being clinically dead - check, check and, amazingly, check), it's clear that the Sparklehorse story is one of dichotomy and disappointment.
It's a notion that pervades the evening, Linkous seemingly ill at odds with both himself and his fanbase. New songs are prefaced with a warning that "I'll probably fuck this up", while positive reaction and demands for an encore leave him looking somewhat befuddled when the band return to the stage. Whether it's false modesty or not, he never does screw up - the likes of Beatles-heavy opener 'Don't Take My Sunshine Away' are rendered as tenderly and exquisitely as on record. Easily the highlight of the whole show, though, is when the classic brooding, driving majesty of 'Hammering The Cramps' kicks in and a spotlight picks out Linkous. Buffeted by the wind machine, his hair rising up into a makeshift quiff and dressed in a cheap suit and dark shades, he looks like he's channelling some evil, parallel-world John Lennon, who's just turned up to preach, not peace and love, but some terrifying Reaganite apocalyptic vision.
Much more than some cheap knock-off, Linkous manages to provide variety without once skimping on quality. Sparklehorse, then: less Tesco Savers, more buy one, get one free.
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