Jimmy Jim James

Above, you will hear a song called “Saturday” by Sparklehorse.  I’m still mourning the loss of one of my favorite songwriters of all time.   Mark Linkous is the man behind Sparklehorse, a band that I hold so dearly.  Knowing that there won’t be new music from Sparklehorse fills me with an insane kind of sadness that I couldn’t shake all-day Sunday.  The song “Sea of Teeth,” I still maintain is my favorite song ever written.  While most folks will compare the vocal style as being akin to a more subdued Wayne Coyne, with minimalist arrangements not unlike Neil Young or Unbunny… Sparklehorse has some of the most beautiful lyrics ever written, and have always stood out to me.  I never really can describe the kind of impact that his songs had on me over the years.  “Sea of Teeth” captures exactly how I see the world at times - searching for beauty in the midst of colliding blood and exploding stars.

“It’s a Wonderful Life” remains in my top 10 favorite albums ever recorded.  No one really captured that kind of surrealist perspective on the fragility of life, love, and nature the way that Mark could.  Artists he collaborated with over the years include Tom Waits, PJ Harvey, Frank Black, James Mercer, Jason Lytle, and most recently Danger Mouse & David Lynch - (for a side project called “Dark Night of The Soul”).  Many of my favorite musicians have taken their own lives, and I’m not sure why.  Other than maybe their sensitivity got the best of them… or they couldn’t shake their depression, despite having the gift of songwriting to keep them afloat.  Whatever the reasons, it’s another case of “gone too soon” for someone that i hoped to meet someday, and thank.  My favorite song, “Sea of Teeth” appeared in its entirety during my favorite movie about relationships, “All The Real Girls.” I had a first kiss with a girl that I grew to love, while “Sea of Teeth” was playing in the background on my stereo.  And well, I guess director David Gordon Green decided to crawl inside my head once again and use the appropriate music cue.  Skip to about the 30 second mark here. I will continue to miss the guy, but feel blessed to have his songs in my life. If you’ve never heard Sparklehorse before, I’m offering a .zip compilation of 23 songs that are personal favorites. I’ve excluded the Danger Mouse album because most of the songs were collaborations, but it’s worth seeking out.  Words really fail me in regards to this tragedy.  I will just let all of his gorgeous songs say everything.   Click on the image below to download “Drown all the Clocks: My Favorite Sparklehorse Songs”

“It is with great sadness that we share the news that our dear friend and family member, Mark Linkous, took his own life today. We are thankful for his time with us and will hold him forever in our hearts. May his journey be peaceful, happy and free. There’s a heaven and there’s a star for you.” - statement from Mark’s family

Jim DeRogatis blog entry on Sparklehorse

BBC Interview with Mark