from pitchfork:

Mark Linkous of Sparklehorse has committed suicide, according to a report from Rolling Stone. His family has released a statement reading, "It is with great sadness that we share the news that our dear friend and family member, Mark Linkous, took his own life today. We are thankful for his time with us and will hold him forever in our hearts. May his journey be peaceful, happy and free. There's a heaven and there’s a star for you."

Linkous made his debut under the Sparklehorse name with the 1995 album vivadixiesubmarinetransmissionplot, which yielded the minor hit "Someday I Will Treat You Good". He went on to release three more acclaimed records of fractured, experimental alt-blues: 1999's Good Morning Spider, 2001's It's a Wonderful Life, and 2006's Dreamt for Light Years in the Belly of a Mountain, as well as the Danger Mouse/David Lynch all-star project Dark Night of the Soul and the Fennesz collaboration In the Fishtank. A voracious collaborator, Linkous also worked with PJ Harvey, Daniel Johnston, Tom Waits, and many others.

Last year, Dark Night of the Soul was released as a book and a blank CD and leaked to the internet due to a legal battle between Danger Mouse and EMI. Earlier this week, it was announced that Dark Night of the Soul would finally receive physical release this summer.

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Let's keep this thread a celebration of his life, not a chance to condemn him for the way he died. Regardless of how you feel about suicide, this is a sad loss. A very talented and unique artist.

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damn. rest in peace.

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Indeed. I was a huge fan of Good Morning Spider and its offshoot Distorted Ghost EP, and don't think he ever topped them. R.I.P.

EDIT: As long as we're posting songs...

a damn shame, It's A Wonderful Life is one of my favorite dream pop kinda albums.

suicide is dumb...

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Mod edit: http://forum.dvdtalk.com/9953385-post30.html

Very sad to see him go, but glad I got to enjoy his music and see him 3 times live. Hopefully there will be some unreleased stuff put out.

Very sad

R.I.P.

Mark's voice and songs really touched me. Please watch this video and listen to the words to this song. If this doesn't move you in light of what happened, I don't know what will.

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It's a Wonderful Life

I am
the only one
can ride that horse
th'yonder

I'm full of bees
who died at sea

it's a wonderful life
it's a wonderful life

I wore
a rooster's blood
when it flew
like doves
I'm a bog
of poisoned frogs

it's a wonderful life
it's a wonderful life

I'm the dog that ate
your birthday cake

it's a wonderful life
it's a wonderful life
it's a wonderful life