MAJOR SPARK, Walk Among the Poppies

When’s the last time the title of a cheerful, uplifting hard driving pop/rock album drove you to Google to figure out its inspiration? That happens with Major Spark’s triumphant, energetic  seriously high spirited second album Walk Among the Poppies, whose title track is based on the unusual Australian expression “cut down the tall poppies,” a reference to a cultural phenomenon where people who are successful, ambitious or stand out are criticized, resented or belittled by envious, insecure peers.

If that happens when other indie rock bands check out this latest gem of a collection driven by the duo of longtime buds, veteran pop/rock singer Mark Goodman (Magnet, Moe Tucker, David Lowery) and multi-instrumentalist/producer Brian Charles (who plays bass, guitar, keys, harmonica and percussion here), so be it. Nobody else seems to be capturing the joy of life or offering this kind of essential musical encouragement these days – but that’s not the only selling point.

From the throbbing, harmonica and electric guitar fired opening romp “The Other Side” (key line: “You have got potential/the ceiling doesn’t know your name”) through a power rock, filtered vocal weaving happy 60’s-70’s flavored jaunt down the magical, majestic and mysterious “Strawberry Road” and the quirky, socially conscious, lyrically incisive jam band “Birds Aren’t Real” (which attacks modern culture with rich wit, whimsy and wisdom), this album is pure pop genius on a multitude of levels. Wait, let’s add that it’s also got a tinge of country brilliance on the bouncy, rollicking “Take It Too Far” and some punky percussive fire (balanced by the soft touch of lush vocal harmonies) on “Mountains.”

Another personal favorite, and no relation to the Huey Lewis/Back to the Future song, is the hipster, pure nostalgic pop fun of “Back in Time,” whose throbbing groove and dynamic synth edges match the irresistibility of the lyrics. “Perfect Star” is another great entry point, a charming jangler about old friends talking about the folly of reversing the aging process. It’s “Just the Way You Are” for the 2020s, and a lot more engaging (and blissfully less romantic! than hearing Billy Joel or Bruno Mars over and over.

The magic of Walk Among the Poppies began with the “major spark” of Charles creating drum parts using loops and hiring a band (including Moe drummer Moe Tucker) to add depth and energy by playing live over them. Charles then added his own instrumentation and sonic invention to the mix, giving Goodman a poppin’ palette to work with.

Another beautiful element essential to the pleasing overall aesthetic is backing vocalist Miranda Serra, who adds splendid harmonies on most of the songs and fashions a joyful, witty duet with Goodman on the sly, rumbling/jangling and poppy romance “Be My Key.”