Sparrohs from Switzerland have been busy in 2021. Their first album, We Are The People, was a fantastic surprise, for early 2021. I have already reviewed that masterpiece. Now, they return with their second album What About You, making 2021 an incredible launch for this industrious band. This band is shouting out to the world that they will be a prolific band for the ages.
The band has released 7 albums, with members Brian Phillips, from New Zealand. He is a song writer, guitarist and vocalist. Olive Brooke, part Danish/part Swiss, is the lead vocalist. Sebastian Unfried, from Austria, is the cameraman, roadie, flag-bearer & promoter. And Victoria Androuin, from France, is the band’s main dancer.
What About You, picks up where We Are The People, left off. Full of excitement, energy and anticipation for new music, and the future.
Where We Are The People left you off with an anthem, What About You, asks you to “Dance or Run”. This song is full of energy. Olive Brooke leads on vocals with power, and she is supported by Brian Phillips’ vocals, along with solid drums, keyboards and guitar. A great beat, full of life. You won’t be able to sit still through this one. Now they have two new songs with which to open their concerts.
The title, “Diamonds R4 Forever”, gets you thinking maybe of a James Bond song or movie? It starts off slow, with Olive leading and Brian supporting on vocals. Great keyboards and drumming. Enough drama to fill the bill for a Bond song. A definite keeper. “Love is a mystery, its better than gold”. Yes, indeed. One of the album’s best songs.
“Elior’s Song”, has a beautiful opening with warm vocals from Olive leading and Brian supporting, “Don’t you remember when we were young? Don’t you remember when we first loved? Don’t you remember at all? I always remember when we were young? I’ll always remember when we first loved?” Yes, a powerful love song.
“For Real Baby”, starts out a little darker, with power drums and desire all over the lyrics. Olive sings about having faith in a developing relationship, “But I have a little faith that dreams really do come true”. Dramatic and power-packed with energy.
“High Expectations”, almost sounds symphonic at its opening. This album is much more danceable than the last. The pounding dance beat is thoroughly hypnotizing. Olive sings, “We’ll be storming the halls. With a holy sound. We’re not gonna be stopping now. Till they turn around and watch. You’re a wonder of love. And baby they won’t be getting enough”.
“I’m Alive”, begins very dark. Olive sings, “You lay me down in a casket grave. As you whisper the words of my fate. You sing a hymn in a broken cry. As you watch me there, still am I. You cover me now with earth and stone. And walk away, I’m alone. But as the story goes, it wasn’t my time. You hear from the depths that I’m alive. I’m alive, I’m alive”. Sounds almost like the theme from a Hollywood Western. Another of the best tracks on this album. A return to the “Lazarus” theme from We Are The People. Dramatic and cinematic.
“Like a Rocket”, starts off slow, but “Like a rocket. We’re breaking the sound barrier!” A powerful rocker, yes indeed.
“Run Away”, has powerful orchestration and solid drums as Olive sings, “Run away from the pain. Run away from everything today. If there’s nothing left to gain. Shouldn’t we just run away. Run away, run away”.
Another one of the album’s best songs is “The Compass”. Some of the best lyrics on the album. Olive sings, “You came to me from a faraway place. On a ship that they call ‘The Bounty Of Grace’. From over the ocean, you sailed upon the winds. You were brought to me. By the force that was within”. The strings and echoes are a great effect.
The title, “Turn Around”, reminds me of one of my favorite, Live, (the band), songs; “Turn My Head”. Both love songs have memorable lyrics. This time, Brian leads on vocals, with Olive supporting. They sing, “Baby, I just know that you were never meant to let go of me. Cuz of all the people in the world. You are the one, you are the one. Is that why you’re turning round”.
“Undeniably You”, is another great love song, set to a good beat. Olive and Brian sing, “Play it long, play it on. Don’t stop till the bells are ringing out. And we’re running down the checkout aisle. With another first-time smile. Where it all began with you”.
“What About You”, is the title and closing song, full of piano at the opening. The lyrics are incredible. Olive and Brian sing, “Do I really need to write a song about the way the world has gone? I don’t think so, I don’t think so. I wanna write about the way I feel. That’s a much better deal for me”. Another great anthem-like closer. So, what about you? Are you gonna stand or fall? Make the most out of your life now!
Another wonderful album full of inspirational and upbeat songs of love, devotion, and making the most out of the time we are given. A message we all need to be reminded of, especially after two years of separation from the rest of the world, because of the Covid-19 global pandemic. Get this album and get up and dance and feel alive again.
Track List
- Dance or Run – 3:41
- Diamonds R4 Forever – 4:08
- Elior’s Song – 4:29
- For Real Baby – 3:43
- High Expectations – 3:22
- I’m Alive – 4:56
- Like a Rocket – 3:48
- Run Away – 4:25
- The Compass – 3:47
- Turn Around – 3:43
- Undeniably You – 3:05
- What About You – 4:03