U.S. Orders www.jigsaw-records.com

Canadian Orders: $13.00 - Add to Cart

 View Cart

International Distributors

"Sodastream have been making their distinctive, timeless but modern folk music beautifully for years" - Rolling Stone, September 2003

"With a slippery and inspirational sound capable of rising above all boundaries, Sodastream are sure to find a receptive and adoring market everywhere" - Inpress

"Beautiful" - Grok

"Stirring up equal parts whimsy and worry, the pallor of gloom that's laid over being as light as gossamer" - Beat Magazine

"A deceptively laconic release that escorts you to many places in the heart. Bring on the platitudes" - X-Press

If quiet is indeed the new loud, Sodastream positively shout from the rooftops with their third and latest album, "A Minor Revival", released on microindie records in 2004.

While carefully crafted pop melodies, thoughtful lyrics and skilful arrangements all play significant parts in "A Minor Revival", the album stands as Sodastream's affirmation of unaffected musical contentment. Thirteen beautiful tracks ebb and flow with the ease and clarity of a running brook.

Karl Smith (vocals, acoustic guitar) and Pete Cohen (double bass) are Sodastream. Originally hailing from Perth, Western Australia, Sodastream relocated to Melbourne in late 1998, enjoying international acclaim and a strong live following from the outset. The release of their first EP "Enjoy" saw the band win the affections of legendary BBC Radio DJ John Peel, culminating in a Peel Session in 2000. The 1999 EP "Practical Footwear" was picked (perhaps surprisingly) by vegan space cake Moby as his Single Of The Week for the (now sadly defunct) indie rock bible Melody Maker.

Since then Sodastream has enjoyed releases on a plethora of esteemed international indies, including the likes of Tugboat/Rough Trade (UK), Rough Trade/Sanctuary (US), Drive-In Records (US) and Acuarela Records (Spain). Extensive touring of Europe has ensued, including UK supports for the likes of Low at the Union Chapel and appearances on MTV Europe.

The band's first two albums, "Looks Like A Russian" and "The Hill For Company", blended sparse instrumentation coloured with musical interjections from guest musicians. "A Minor Revival" sees piano featuring on many tracks alongside the band's plunging double bass/acoustic guitar/vocal combo, both as a melodic (see "Horses") and percussive instrument (see "Nervous").

Significantly, "A Minor Revival" features contributions from Machine Translations' J. Walker and Marty Brown from Art of Fighting. Both bring a new set of instrumentation (J. Walker: viola, slide guitar, keyboards; Marty Brown: drums and percussion) and production values to the band's sound.

The resulting album is as joyous and sad as sunshine through a cobweb on a clear winter's day. While wistful and winning with apparent ease, each track is set on solid foundations of fine song writing and perfect delivery. Tracks such as the skittish country-eqsue of "Undone" border on positively infectious. Other, more reflective tracks such as "Chorus Line" and "Constant Ships" bob, haunt and swell with melancholy, but never with pity or self-indulgence.

"A Minor Revival" is an album independent in outlook and universal in appeal. It is being released on six independent labels in six territories around the globe. This album consolidates Sodastream as a band to be held close to your heart. Overlook this at your peril.