Everclear's major-label debut is a tough, melodic set of gnarled post-punk hard rock. An easy comparison is
Nirvana, but
Everclear's music is closer to the country-rock leanings of
Screaming Trees -- underneath their loud, grungy guitars there is a distinct rootsiness lacking in most Seattle bands and that gives
Sparkle and Fade its edge.
–
Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Rovi