Cooper Cobra EP by Lily Sparks, 2009
Website: Lily Sparks
Home Base: New York City, NY
Genre: Rock, Blues, Classic Rock
Compared To: Paramore, Heart, Pink, Evanescence, Pat Benatar
Influenced By: Heart, Aerosmith, The Cult, U2, Melissa Etheridge
Bio.: Forged in the crucible of the New York rock scene, Lily Sparks has emerged with a unique voice. Flanked by glitter guitars that alternate between crunch and wail, the singer’s got a set of pipes that can go from fragility to fury in a heartbeat. These girls play hard-rocking, toe-tapping songs that’ll make you want to shout and sing along.
First timers are never quite sure what to expect when they see a Lily Sparks show but after a few seconds it’s pretty clear: They rock. Flanked by glitter guitars that alternate between crunch and wail, the singer’s got a set of pipes that can go from fragility to fury in a heartbeat. These girls play hard-rocking, toe-tapping songs that’ll make you want to shout and sing along.
Lead vocalist Niamh (pronounced “neev”) was born to sing. As a child in Ireland she sang traditional Irish songs, perfomed in choral groups and played lead roles in musical theater. She’s classically trained in voice and piano. She’s probably taller than you. But don’t let that scare you…
Nikki 7 plays solid rhythm and inventive leads. She studied music and recording engineering at Berklee before settling in the Big Apple. Then she took the town by storm as the guitarist for several outrageous bands in including Cherry Red, Soap Opera Villain, Fluffy, and The Mynks. She probably has more tattoos than you. But don’t let that scare you…
KG* learned the guitar by joining a punk band. Later she ventured into alternative rock while pursuing a graduate degree in neuroscience. Needless to say, she chose rock over brain surgery. She probably has more guitars than you. But don’t let that scare you…
The fact is, they’ve been together for about a year and a half and they’ve gone from playing a couple of acoustic shows in bars to playing the main stage at Webster Hall in July. Even better, they WON the East Coast Finals of the Emergenza Festival (beating several hundred bands in the competition) which gave them the opportunity to perform at the Taubertal Music Festival in Germany where Niamh won the award for Best Vocalist. They have just released their debut EP, Cooper Cobra. Check ‘em out before they leave the club scene. ‘Cuz that might be scary…
My Review: Lily Sparks embodies everything that classic rock should be! If someone asked you what “classic rock” sounded like all you’d have to do is play one song, “Stars”!
That one song sums up the whole genre of classic rock. The wail of the guitars, the smooth, with just a touch of raspiness, of the vocalist, the chord progressions and infectious riffs, its all there. Follow that with “Walk Away” and you’d have them hooked!
Lily Sparks puts the “FUN” back in Rock N Roll!
One thing I like about “Cooper Cobra” is that it leaves you wanting to hear more. That is the trademark of a good group! That insures you have a loyal following.
So, whether you’re an “old, burnt out Hippie” like me or you just appreciate good, no GREAT music, put some fun back in your musical life, get a copy of “Cooper Cobra” by Lily Sparks and ENJOY!
For some truly great classic rock and for some fond memories, I rate “Cooper Cobra” by Lily Sparks 10 stars and a “thumbs up”! This is what classic rock should sound like!
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Love Where are We Today. And I love this review. I’ve done some reviews myself. This one made me want to listen to the music and that’s what it’s all about. Keep on Rockin!