Mark Linkous, Sparklehorse (1962-2010)

The New York Times reported today that Mark Linkous, a master of quietly beautiful modern psychedelic folk who recorded under the name Sparklehorse, committed suicide over the weekend in Knoxville, Tenn. He was 47.

The Flaming Lips’ Steven Drozd eulogized Linkous via Twitter.

“R.I.P. Mark Linkous. You were a kind soul… Mark Linkous toured with us in 2003. Every night he and I would share a quiet moment with a shot of whiskey and a few laughs. A nice memory.”

As Heather Phares of Allmusic.com noted, Sparklehorse’s style fit perfectly between Mercury Rev and late-model Flaming Lips — that made sense, what with Dave Fridmann producing Linkous’ “It’s a Wonderful Life” and “Dreamt for Light Years in the Belly of the Mountain.”

Here is a personal favorite, a beautiful song called “Gold Day.” I hope you like it.