Sparks | ||
| Allmusic Biography : Sparks grew out of the minds of brothers Ron and Russell Mael, bringing their theatrical, over-the-top approach to pop alive from their formation in the early 70s for decades to follow. Largely a cult band, they had brushes with mainstream success as well, charting early on with a more glam rock sound on singles like 1974s "This Town Aint Big Enough for the Both of Us." They also charted when they took a turn toward synth pop, with Giorgio Moroder-produced disco-fied tracks like "Beat the Clock" and "The Number One Song in Heaven" in the late 70s and more house-informed dance singles in the 90s. Apart from their longevity, Sparks defining quality is the scale of their influence. Though they never achieved platinum sales, their albums were cited as having a direct, profound impact on a range of artists who included the Pet Shop Boys, Nirvana, New Order, Björk, the Smiths and countless others. Brothers Ron and Russell Mael, grew up in Los Angeles and spent their childhood modeling young mens apparel for mail-order catalogs. While attending UCLA in 1970, the Maels formed their first group, Halfnelson, which featured songwriter Ron on keyboards and Russell as lead vocalist; the band was rounded out by another pair of brothers, guitarist Earle and bassist Jim Mankey, and drummer Harley Feinstein. Halfnelson soon came to the attention of Todd Rundgren, who helped land the group a contract with Bearsville and produced their self-titled 1971 debut. Their quirky, tongue-in-cheek art pop failed to find an audience, however, and their manager successfully convinced the Maels to change the groups name. After becoming Sparks, they almost reached the Hot 100 with the single "Wonder Girl," and 1972s sublimely bizarre A Woofer in Tweeters Clothing cemented the bands cult status, scoring another near-hit with "Girl from Germany." While touring the U.K., Sparks were warmly received by the British music press, and ultimately, the Mael brothers relocated to London, leaving the rest of the band behind; Earle Mankey subsequently became a noted producer, while Jim later joined Concrete Blonde. In need of a new support unit, the Maels placed an advertisement in Melody Maker, and with guitarist Adrian Fisher, bassist Martin Gordon, and drummer Norman "Dinky" Diamond firmly in place, they recorded 1974s glam-bubblegum opus Kimono My House, which reached the Top Five of the U.K. album charts and spawned two major British hits, "This Town Aint Big Enough for the Both of Us" and "Amateur Hour." With new guitarist Trevor White and bassist Ian Hampton, Sparks returned later that year with Propaganda, another U.K. smash that scored with the hits "Never Turn Your Back on Mother Earth" and "Something for the Girl with Everything." Overblown production from Tony Visconti derailed 1975s Indiscreet, however, and when the record fared less successfully than its predecessors, the Maels returned to the U.S., where they recruited Tuff Darts guitarist Jeff Salen, former Milk & Cookies bassist Sal Maida, and drummer Hilly Michaels for 1976s Big Beat. By 1977s ironic Introducing Sparks, recorded with a series of Los Angeles session players, the Mael brothers were treading water, so they enlisted disco producer Giorgio Moroder to helm 1979s synth-powered dance-pop confection No. 1 in Heaven, which earned the group renewed success in England on the strength of the hit singles "The Number One Song in Heaven," "Beat the Clock," and "Tryouts for the Human Race." Moroders sidekick Harold Faltermeyer took the production reins for the immediate follow-up, Terminal Jive, which scored a massive French hit with "When Im with You." Sparks left disco in the dust with 1981s Whomp That Sucker, recorded in Munich with a new supporting band comprised of guitarist Bob Haag, bassist Leslie Bohem, and drummer David Kendrick (who also played together as the Gleaming Spires). After 1982s Angst in My Pants, they recorded 1983s Sparks in Outer Space; the wonderful "Cool Places," a duet with the Go-Gos Jane Wiedlin, nearly reached the U.S. Top 40, and was the bands biggest hit. The disastrous 1984 LP Pulling Rabbits Out of a Hat derailed any chart momentum the band had gathered at home, however, and after 1986s self-explanatory Music That You Can Dance To, Sparks -- again reduced to the core duo of Ron and Russell -- recorded 1988s Interior Design, which was followed by a long hiatus. Outside of composing the music for a film by Hong Kong action maestro Tsui Hark, Sparks remained silent until Gratuitous Sax and Senseless Violins, was released in 1994. Plagiarism followed four years later. With 2000s Balls, the band ushered in a more productive era, releasing Lil Beethoven in 2002, Hello Young Lovers in 2006, and Exotic Creatures of the Deep in 2008. The following year, the band was commissioned by Swedish National Radio to compose a piece of radio theater, resulting in their eclectic 22nd album, The Seduction of Ingmar Bergman. It received its live premiere in 2011, at the Los Angeles Film Festival, and the Maels also produced new recordings with their remix of Yoko Onos "Give Me Something" and a new theme song for the American public radio program Bookworm. In 2015, Sparks recorded a collaborative album with U.K. indie rock outfit Franz Ferdinand; billing themselves as FFS, they released a self-titled album that year, which they supported with an international concert tour. Sparks returned to more familiar territory with the 2017 album Hippopotamus, a set of witty and pointed pop tunes dominated by Rons multiple keyboards and Russells faux-operatic vocals. | ||
 | Album: 1 of 42 Title: A Woofer in Tweeters Clothing Released: 1968 Tracks: 12 Duration: 00:00 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Chile Farm Farney (?) 2 Johnnys Adventure (?) 3 Roger (?) 4 Arts & Crafts Spectacular (?) 5 Landlady (?) 6 The Animals at Jasons Bar & Grill (?) 7 Big Rock Candy Mountain (?) 8 Millie (?) 9 Saccharin and the War (?) 10 Join the Firm (?) 11 Jane Church (?) 12 The Factory (?) |
| A Woofer in Tweeter's Clothing : Allmusic album Review : Woofer... starts with another killer opening track, musically and lyrically, with "Girl From Germany," a chugging number detailing the problems the narrator has with his parents over his girlfriend, given their lingering wartime attitudes. The album builds upon the strengths of the debut to create an even better experience all around. The same five-person lineup offers more sharp performances. Album engineering veteran James Lowe takes over production reins from Rundgren, with, happily, no audible sense of trying to make the album more commercial. If anything, things are even wiggier this time around, from the naughtily-titled sea chanty which turns into a full-on rocker "Beaver OLindy" and the strings-plus-piano "Here Comes Bob," to the albums completely wacked-out, dramatic centerpiece "Moon Over Kentucky." Melodies start approaching the hyperactivity level which would flower completely on the bands subsequent releases. Ron and Earle Mankey trade off or play against each other, while the rhythm section of Jim Mankey and Feinstein executes the kind of sharp tempo changes which would become de rigueur for thrash-metal bands of the 80s, but fit in perfectly here with the spastic pop being played. Russell soars and croons over it all like an angel on deeply disturbing drugs, wrapping his vocals around such lines as "We surely will appreciate our newfound leisure time" from "Nothing is Sacred." The long-time live favorite "Do-Re-Mi" -- indeed a cover of the number from The Sound of Music -- first appears here as well, taking Rodgers and Hammerstein to a level Julie Andrews might be hardpressed to follow. Anyone wondering why Faith No More appeared on Sparks self-tribute album Plagiarism need only listen to Woofer to understand -- as a full-on purée of musical styles in the service of twisted viewpoints, its a perfect album. | ||
 | Album: 2 of 42 Title: Halfnelson Released: 1971 Tracks: 11 Duration: 40:15 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify AlbumCover | 1 Wonder Girl (02:20) 2 Fa La Fa Lee (02:53) 3 Roger (02:37) 4 High C (03:12) 5 Fletcher Honorama (04:12) 6 Simple Ballet (03:52) 7 Slowboat (03:54) 8 Biology 2 (03:06) 9 Saccharin and the War (04:02) 10 Big Bands (04:15) 11 (No More) Mr. Nice Guys (05:47) |
 | Album: 3 of 42 Title: Kimono My House Released: 1974-05 Tracks: 10 Duration: 36:15 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 This Town Ain’t Big Enough for Both of Us (03:04) 2 Amateur Hour (03:35) 3 Falling in Love With Myself Again (03:04) 4 Here in Heaven (02:48) 5 Thank God It’s Not Christmas (05:08) 6 Hasta Mañana Monsieur (03:52) 7 Talent Is an Asset (03:22) 8 Complaints (02:51) 9 In My Family (03:48) 10 Equator (04:43) |
| Kimono My House : Allmusic album Review : Arguably one of Sparks best albums, 1974s Kimono My House finds the brothers Mael (Ron wrote most the songs and played keyboards, while Russell was the singing frontman) ingeniously playing their guitar- and keyboard-heavy pop mix on 12 consistently fine tracks. Adding a touch of bubblegum, and even some of Zappas own song-centric experimentalism to the menu, the Maels spruce up a sleazy Sunset Strip with a bevy of Broadway-worthy performances here: as the band expertly revs up the glam rock-meets-Andrew Lloyd Webber backdrops, Russell sends things into space with his operatic vocals and ever-clever lyrics. And besides two of their breakthrough hits (the English chart-toppers "This Town Aint Big Enough for Both of Us" and "Amateur Hour"), the album features one of their often-overlooked stunners, "Here in Heaven." Essential. | ||
 | Album: 4 of 42 Title: Propaganda Released: 1974-11 Tracks: 14 Duration: 46:08 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Propaganda (00:22) 2 At Home, at Work, at Play (03:06) 3 Reinforcements (03:55) 4 B.C. (02:13) 5 Thanks But No Thanks (04:14) 6 Dont Leave Me Alone With Her (03:02) 7 Never Turn Your Back on Mother Earth (02:28) 8 Something for the Girl With Everything (02:17) 9 Achoo (03:34) 10 Who Dont Like Kids (03:37) 11 Bon Voyage (04:54) 12 Alabamy Right (02:11) 13 Marry Me (02:53) 14 Interview - Saturday Scene 8/11/74 (07:17) |
| Propaganda : Allmusic album Review : What better way to promote Sparks spinning blender of demented pop than Propaganda? The bands fourth album (and second with producer Muff Winwood) is chock-full of great ideas, including the overseas hits "Something for the Girl With Everything" and "Never Turn Your Back on Mother Earth." With Russell Mael delivering the lyrics in his rapid-fire falsetto, the lyric sheet is a necessary compass, as the clever wordplay is a key to discovering what these pranksters are up to. Ron Maels skewed take on relationships ("At Home, at Work, at Play," "Dont Leave Me Alone With Her") are nearly upstaged by the hyperactive arrangements, but when the words and the music click, its pure magic. In fact, "Bon Voyage" might be the most sublime song theyve ever written, teetering between genuine pathos for and lampooning of the plight of those left behind by Noah and his ark. Other highlights include "Achoo" (about, you guessed it, catching a cold) and "Who Dont Like Kids," in which Mael uncorks the opening lines "You got a cigar, heres a couple more/Because the offspring are springing through swinging doors" in a few seconds. The torrential outpouring of words and ideas, underscored by guitars and keyboards with oft-shifting rhythms, either repels or attracts listeners. Though the similarities to Queen are sometimes striking, they eschew that bands seriousness and epic guitar work, favoring hit-or-miss observations that suggest a cross between 10cc and the power pop of the late 70s. Propaganda remains one of Sparks brightest achievements, brimming with a loopy charm that continued to captivate the open-minded English listeners, if not their close-minded countrymen in the U.S. [Note that European CD reissues in the late 90s include non-album B-sides from the records two U.K. singles as bonus tracks: "Alabamy Right" and "Marry Me."] | ||
 | Album: 5 of 42 Title: Sparks / A Woofer in Tweeter’s Clothing Released: 1975 Tracks: 22 Duration: 1:19:42 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Wonder Girl (02:20) 2 Fa La Fa Lee (02:53) 3 Roger (02:37) 4 High C (03:12) 5 Fletcher Honorama (04:12) 6 Simple Ballet (03:52) 7 Slowboat (03:54) 8 Biology 2 (03:06) 9 Saccharin and the War (04:02) 10 Big Bands (04:15) 11 (No More) Mr. Nice Guys (05:47) 12 Girl From Germany (03:29) 13 Beaver O’Lindy (03:44) 14 Nothing Is Sacred (05:33) 15 Here Comes Bob (02:12) 16 Moon Over Kentucky (04:11) 17 Do-Re-Mi (03:39) 18 Angus Desire (03:20) 19 Underground (02:55) 20 The Louvre (04:52) 21 Batteries Not Included (03:48) 22 Whippings and Apologies (01:38) |
 | Album: 6 of 42 Title: 2 Originals of Sparks Released: 1975 Tracks: 22 Duration: 1:19:42 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Wonder Girl (02:20) 2 Fa La Fa Lee (02:53) 3 Roger (02:37) 4 High C (03:12) 5 Fletcher Honorama (04:12) 6 Simple Ballet (03:52) 7 Slowboat (03:54) 8 Biology 2 (03:06) 9 Saccharin and the War (04:02) 10 Big Bands (04:15) 11 (No More) Mr. Nice Guys (05:47) 1 Girl From Germany (03:29) 2 Beaver O’Lindy (03:44) 3 Nothing Is Sacred (05:33) 4 Here Comes Bob (02:12) 5 Moon Over Kentucky (04:11) 6 Do-Re-Mi (03:39) 7 Angus Desire (03:20) 8 Underground (02:55) 9 The Louvre (04:52) 10 Batteries Not Included (00:44) 11 Whippings and Apologies (04:42) |
 | Album: 7 of 42 Title: Indiscreet Released: 1975-10 Tracks: 13 Duration: 41:37 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Hospitality on Parade (04:00) 2 Happy Hunting Ground (03:46) 3 Without Using Hands (03:21) 4 Get in the Swing (04:07) 5 Under the Table With Her (02:20) 6 How Are You Getting Home? (02:57) 7 Pineapple (02:44) 8 Tits (04:57) 9 It Ain’t 1918 (02:08) 10 The Lady Is Lingering (03:41) 11 In the Future (02:12) 12 Looks, Looks, Looks (02:35) 13 Miss the Start, Miss the End (02:47) |
| Indiscreet : Allmusic album Review : In the 70s and 80s, Sparks American fans couldnt understand why the Mael Brothers werent as big in the United States as they were in England. "Why dont more of our fellow Americans realize just how great these guys are?" was the question that Sparks addicts in the U.S. often found themselves asking. Whatever the reason, British audiences really connected with Sparks goofy, insanely clever lyrics -- and the fact that Russell Mael sings like he could be an eccentric upper-class Englishman (although he was born and raised in Los Angeles) probably didnt hurt. Indiscreet, which was the Mael Brothers third album for Island and their fifth album overall, is state-of-the-art Sparks. The power pop melodies are consistently infectious, and the lyrics are as humorous as one expects Sparks lyrics to be -- nutty gems like "Pineapple," "Happy Hunting Ground," "Tits," and "Get in the Swing" will easily appeal to those who like to think of Russell and Ron Mael as the pop/rock equivalent of Monty Pythons Flying Circus. Like other Sparks releases of the 70s, Indiscreet did much better in England than it did on the North American side of the Atlantic. In the U.S., this 1975 LP appealed to a small but enthusiastic cult following -- in Great Britain, Indiscreet was a big seller and appealed to a much larger and broader audience. Over the years, Sparks has experimented with everything from hard rock to Euro-disco. But power pop is the primary focus of Indiscreet, which went down in history as one of the bands best 70s albums. | ||
 | Album: 8 of 42 Title: Big Beat Released: 1976 Tracks: 11 Duration: 35:39 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Big Boy (03:31) 2 I Want to Be Like Everybody Else (02:58) 3 Nothing to Do (03:09) 4 I Bought the Mississippi River (02:31) 5 Fill-Er-Up (02:20) 6 Everybody’s Stupid (03:42) 7 Throw Her Away (And Get a New One) (03:13) 8 Confusion (03:28) 9 Screwed Up (04:21) 10 White Women (03:25) 11 I Like Girls (02:58) |
| Big Beat : Allmusic album Review : Most of this album finds Sparks doing what they do best: spewing out clever, mile-a-minute lyrics over solid-rocking accompaniment (this time, provided by a superior group of studio musicians). Drummer Hilly Michaels and guitarist Jeffrey Salen lend the Mael brothers songs considerable rock & roll authority. Standouts include the opening blast, "Big Boy" (which was featured in the film Rollercoaster), the propulsive "Fill-Er-Up," and the falsetto-delivered proclamation "I Like Girls," apparently a leftover from their previous album, Indiscreet. Generally, however, they eschew the elaborate arrangements of Indiscreet and go for a powerful, stripped-down sound. As titles such as "Everybodys Stupid" and "Thrown Her Away (And Get a New One)" suggest, the album brims with decidedly politically incorrect (and often hilarious) lyrics. | ||
 | Album: 9 of 42 Title: Introducing Sparks Released: 1977-10 Tracks: 9 Duration: 35:47 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 A Big Surprise (03:42) 2 Occupation (05:14) 3 Ladies (03:06) 4 I’m Not (03:26) 5 Forever Young (03:25) 6 Goofing Off (04:25) 7 Girls on the Brain (03:39) 8 Over the Summer (03:48) 9 Those Mysteries (05:02) |
| Introducing Sparks : Allmusic album Review : With over 20 albums to their name, Sparks are certainly entitled to having cut the occasional clinker, although it is hard to visualize any album ever being more disappointing than this one. Recorded in 1976, shortly after the brothers decision to abandon their adopted U.K. homeland and return to America, it is the sound of Sparks driving straight for the Stateside jugular, an album of almost quintessential mid-70s slickness, recorded with sessionmen and -- if you want to compare it, song for song, to any past album they had made -- written with the same depth of commitment. The occasional number does snag your attention for a moment, and the closing "Over the Summer" is one of the greatest Beach Boys pastiches ever recorded. But we dont look to Sparks for pastiche, we look to them for manic originality, madcap commerciality, and blistering brilliance, and theres just one song here that steps far enough out of the groove to even hint at the brothers true genius. "Goofing Off" rides a frenetic violin through a lunatic paean to the joys of, indeed, goofing off, and you cant help wondering if its also a confession of sorts. Because the rest of the album was almost certainly recorded with Ron and Russell wishing they were doing something else instead and, no matter how complete your Sparks collection is, if you dont own this record, you really wont miss it. Oh, and it has a ghastly cover as well. | ||
 | Album: 10 of 42 Title: No. 1 in Heaven Released: 1979-03-02 Tracks: 9 Duration: 57:54 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Tryouts for the Human Race (06:08) 2 Academy Award Performance (05:01) 3 La Dolce Vita (05:54) 4 Beat the Clock (04:22) 5 My Other Voice (04:56) 6 The Number One Song in Heaven (07:28) 7 Dancing Is Dangerous (09:43) 8 Is There More to Life Than Dancing (08:08) 9 Beat the Clock (Meat Beat Manifesto remix -Double Bass remix) (06:13) |
| No. 1 in Heaven : Allmusic album Review : By the late 70s, brothers Ron and Russell Mael were at an impasse. Their outlandish and theatrical glam rock band Sparks had achieved notable success earlier in the decade when they moved from Los Angeles to England and released a string of oversexed, over-produced, over-the-top albums that would be some of their best-received work, starting with 1974s stellar (and ridiculous) Kimono My House. Things quickly cooled off after a couple years, however, as the brothers returned to their native Los Angeles, reconfigured their backing band, and put out one disappointing record after another. With poor record sales, a dwindling fan base and their fate in the balance, they made a bold about face. Disco was in full swing, and Italian producer Giorgio Moroder was one of the principle voices of the genre, visible for both hits under his own name and his iconic production on Donna Summers 1977 number one hit "I Feel Love." In 1978, Sparks and Moroder began work on what would become No. 1 in Heaven, abandoning rock and guitars for synthesizers, sequencers, and disco beats. The experiment was a commercial success. Of the albums six tracks, four were released as singles and three spent time on the charts, guided by Moroders trademark spaced-out synths, pushy disco rhythms, and chunky bass lines. Gratefully, neither Sparks nor Moroder toned down their outside-the-box musical personas to achieve this success, and the weird, theatrical tension of the Mael brothers songwriting is fully intact. Songs like "Tryouts for the Human Race" and "Beat the Clock" are every bit as idiosyncratic as earlier Sparks tunes, only with trippy disco synths filling in for operatic glam rock elements. The album ends with "The Number One Song in Heaven," a stage-setter for the moody atmospheres and lonely dance floor scenes that would come to be synth pop at large over the next two decades. Indeed, Pet Shop Boys, Depeche Mode, Duran Duran, and others would go on to cite the album as a formative influence. Even Joy Division, in all their darkness, were quick to point out that during the recording of "Love Will Tear Us Apart," this album was one of the only things they were listening to. The strange, campy, and surreal aspects of Sparks all gel with the party-chasing interstellar energy of Moroders production touches, creating a timeless sound from unexpected bedfellows and sending out ripples that may have grown bigger than the initial splash could have predicted. | ||
 | Album: 11 of 42 Title: Terminal Jive Released: 1980 Tracks: 8 Duration: 35:55 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 When I’m With You (05:45) 2 Just Because You Love Me (04:36) 3 Rock ’n’ Roll People in a Disco World (04:47) 4 When I’m With You (instrumental) (03:45) 5 Young Girls (04:49) 6 Noisy Boys (03:55) 7 Stereo (04:01) 8 The Greatest Show on Earth (04:17) |
| Terminal Jive : Allmusic album Review : The second Giorgio Moroder collaboration of Sparks career doesnt have quite the emphasis on Moroder trademarks compared to its predecessor; he has only two songwriting credits here, while the Mael brothers take most of them alone. Still, the breakout single "When Im with You" and "Just Because You Love Me" have an ineffable disco stomp and the requisite cymbal slaps on the offbeat, while "Noisy Boys" and "Stereo" have an experimental, laddish feel that looks past disco into 80s synth-pop and new romantic. Though disco fans can feel safe with No. 1 in Heaven, those more interested in new wave would be well served to pick up Terminal Jive first. | ||
 | Album: 12 of 42 Title: The History Of Sparks Released: 1981 Tracks: 12 Duration: 49:47 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 When Im With You (03:52) 2 Young Girls (03:53) 3 Tips For Teens (03:33) 4 Rock NRoll People In A Disco World (04:47) 5 The Number One Song In Heaven (03:48) 6 (No More) Mr. Nice Guys (05:45) 7 Beat The Clock (04:22) 8 Funny Face (03:24) 9 Wonder Girl (02:15) 10 Just Because You Love Me (04:36) 11 Tryouts For The Human Race (06:06) 12 Girl From Germany (03:26) |
 | Album: 13 of 42 Title: Whomp That Sucker Released: 1981 Tracks: 10 Duration: 38:47 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Tips for Teens (03:34) 2 Funny Face (03:28) 3 Where’s My Girl (03:12) 4 Upstairs (03:41) 5 I Married a Martian (05:12) 6 The Willys (03:57) 7 Don’t Shoot Me (03:55) 8 Suzie Safety (03:57) 9 That’s Not Nastassia (04:57) 10 Wacky Women (02:48) |
| Whomp That Sucker : Allmusic album Review : "Tips for Teens" kicks off Sparks first post-Moroder album (though it was produced by his longtime associate Mack) with a blast; as a rocking power-pop/new wave number, it slotted into everything around it at the time perfectly, but the sense was of the world catching up to Sparks rather than the band chasing the train (and only Sparks could come up with lines like "Dont eat that burger/Has it got mayonnaise/Give it to me"). The equally sharp and catchy "Funny Face" follows with a truly hilarious detailing of a person who looks so perfect that he throws himself off a bridge in despair; as a one-two start to an album, this simply couldnt be beat. Whomp doesnt totally maintain the levels of its near-perfect start, but Russell Maels voice is still a sinfully pure instrument, and brother Rons ear for instantly memorable should-have-been-massive pop runs rampant as ever. Meanwhile, a new full-time backing band recruited from young L.A. outfit Bates Motel does a pretty solid job at putting rock crunch back into the Sparks mix. Guitarist Bob Haag, bassist Leslie Bohem, and drummer David Kendrick arent quite a match for the original lineup or the glam-era outfit, but they acquit themselves well nonetheless. As always, the Maels are the stars of the show, and more often than not they rise to the occasion. "I Married a Martian" is a definite highlight, with a big rock crunch meshing well with the space-age keyboard touches as Russell notes, "her loving is different/vive la difference." Favorites of long-time fans include "Suzie Safety," blessed with a lovely piano line and a clipped feedback riff, and "Wacky Women," with Russell offering up some "Münich wisdom" on the subject. | ||
 | Album: 14 of 42 Title: Angst in My Pants Released: 1982 Tracks: 11 Duration: 35:39 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Angst in My Pants (03:29) 2 I Predict (02:51) 3 Sextown U.S.A. (02:56) 4 Sherlock Holmes (03:34) 5 Nicotina (03:26) 6 Mickey Mouse (03:16) 7 Moustache (03:31) 8 Instant Weight Loss (03:27) 9 Tarzan and Jane (03:18) 10 The Decline and Fall of Me (02:53) 11 Eaten by the Monster of Love (02:58) |
| Angst in My Pants : Allmusic album Review : Although mired in a rut of merely "good" albums, Sparks had offered occasional glimpses of their old greatness on each, fanning the dim hope that they might climb again to previous heights. The faithful were rewarded with Angst in My Pants, the first album in years (and, sadly, the last) that puts their pop genius to good use. The differences between this album and the inferior Whomp That Sucker are subtle but important. First, the material is much better (OK, thats not so subtle). Second, the band is brought up in the mix at the expense of the synthesizer, and the result feels more like their old power pop than the new wave/disco sound of recent efforts. Lastly, Russell Maels voice is lower; he still hits the high notes on occasion, but for the most part this is an album of pop songs you can actually sing along with (and the lyric sheet, while provided, isnt necessary this time). Still pegged as a novelty act, the colorless "I Predict" was selected as the albums single; "Eaten By the Monster of Love" didnt catch on with radio stations, but its a much better representative of the album. Other highlights include the wonderfully silly "Moustache," a Beach Boys send-up in "Sextown U.S.A.," and the strange but sympathetic love song "Sherlock Holmes." Throughout the record, Sparks succeeds not by pushing a pipe full of music through a thin straw (as they did on classics like Propaganda) but by giving their ideas the space they need to succeed. As a result, its not an overwhelming record, simply an ingratiating one. Unfortunately, the subsequent Sparks in Outer Space returned to the mechanical pace of their post-disco product, which makes Angst in My Pants a warm exception within Sparks protracted creative cold spell. | ||
 | Album: 15 of 42 Title: In Outer Space Released: 1983 Tracks: 10 Duration: 37:00 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Cool Places (03:25) 2 Popularity (03:52) 3 Prayin’ for a Party (03:03) 4 All You Ever Think About Is Sex (04:09) 5 Please, Baby, Please (03:42) 6 Rockin’ Girls (04:47) 7 I Wish I Looked a Little Better (02:58) 8 Lucky Me, Lucky You (03:38) 9 A Fun Bunch of Guys From Outer Space (04:00) 10 Dance Godammit (03:23) |
| In Outer Space : Allmusic album Review : Sparks 12th album got off to the best possible start when the first single, "Cool Places," a breakneckedly breezy duet with the Go-Gos Jane Wiedlin, spun off to become the Mael brothers first ever Top 50 hit in their American homeland. It would also be their last, but an entire generation of new fans arose regardless to pursue the siblings through both their future convolutions and their past ones too. In Outer Spaces almost ruthless distillation of all that had gone before was, then, an ideal place for them to start. Like the duos Giorgio Moroder era, In Outer Space represented a creative rejuvenation that its immediate predecessors had scarcely dared hint at. Even within the quickly dated framework of the albums production, the tunes bristle with a locomotive curiosity that neither Whomp That Sucker nor Angst in My Pants could muster and, if theres nothing here as instantly striking as, say, "This Town Aint Big Enough" or "Equator," neither is there anything as ultimately grating as "I Predict" or "Wacky Women." Or, rather, there is "Praying for a Party," but it is readily forgivable in the face of the rib-tickling "All You Ever Think About Is Sex," or the unapologetically romantic "Rockin Girls" -- "youre the only girl Ive ever met who hates "Hey Jude"," muses Russell; "maybe thats the reason Im so in love with you." Another Wiedelin duet, the dynamically slush-laden "Lucky Me, Lucky You," too, never fails to entrance, the ultimate losers love story transplanted to a shipwrecked tropical paradise, while "I Wish I Looked a Little Better" offers up an entertainingly cracked mirror image to Whomps own highlight, "Funny Face." But, though the moral of that story might well be "be careful what you wish for," the same cannot be said for In Outer Space. Sparks fans had been crying out for a return to true glory since Terminal Jive. They got it, and it was even better than they dreamed. | ||
 | Album: 16 of 42 Title: Pulling Rabbits Out of a Hat Released: 1984 Tracks: 16 Duration: 39:06 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Pulling Rabbits Out of a Hat (04:07) 2 Love Scenes (04:07) 3 Pretending To Be Drunk (03:38) 4 Progress (04:43) 5 With All My Might (03:41) 6 Sparks In The Dark (Part One) (00:28) 7 Everybody Move (02:58) 8 A Song That Sings Itself (04:27) 9 Sisters (03:53) 10 Kiss Me Quick (04:05) 11 Sparks In The Dark (Part Two) (02:58) 12 Sparks in the Dark (instrumental / extended club mix) (?) 13 Pretending to Be Drunk (extended version / New mix) (?) 14 Progress (vocal / extended club mix) (?) 15 With All My Might (vocal / extended club mix) (?) 16 Kiss Me Quick (extended version / New mix) (?) |
| Pulling Rabbits Out of a Hat : Allmusic album Review : While this album continues in the synthesizer-based pop vein of the previous years modest hit, "Cool Places," it lacks anything as appealing. Songs like the title track and "Everybody Move" have danceable grooves, and "Song That Sings Itself" and "Love Scenes" are surprisingly conventional love songs. Russell Mael generally avoids his sometimes-grating falsetto, the melodies and arrangements are simple, and the lyrics lack their usual tongue-twisting eccentricity. In short, most of what made Sparks unique is absent on Pulling Rabbits Out of a Hat, leaving a surprisingly generic 80s band. Few sparks are struck here. | ||
 | Album: 17 of 42 Title: The Best of Sparks Released: 1985 Tracks: 12 Duration: 47:14 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify AlbumCover | 1 Tryouts for the Human Race (06:06) 2 The Number One Song in Heaven (03:56) 3 Beat the Clock (04:25) 4 When I’m With You (03:53) 5 Young Girls (03:54) 6 Funny Face (03:29) 7 Tips for Teens (03:36) 8 I Predict (02:54) 9 Modesty Plays (03:48) 10 Cool Places (03:26) 11 With All My Might (03:41) 12 Pulling Rabbits Out of a Hat (04:06) |
 | Album: 18 of 42 Title: Music That You Can Dance To Released: 1986 Tracks: 8 Duration: 38:12 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Music That You Can Dance To (04:22) 2 Rosebud (04:38) 3 Fingertips (04:21) 4 Change (05:20) 5 The Scene (06:11) 6 Shopping Mall of Love (03:14) 7 Modesty Plays (New version) (03:59) 8 Let’s Get Funky (06:05) |
| Music That You Can Dance To : Allmusic album Review : The third and mercifully last of Sparks mid-80s dance pop albums, the frankly disappointing Music That You Can Dance To delivered just two standouts: a remake of Russell Maels European "Modesty Blaise" 45 and the epic 1985 single "Change" (replaced on British pressings by "Armies of the Night"). Indeed, "Change" isnt merely the albums most provocative number; it ranks among the duos finest performances of all time, a shifting soundscape of sonics and moods through which Russell Maels ruminations on the meaning of life are alternately cripplingly funny or soberingly thought-provoking. Time has mellowed a handful of other songs -- "Rosebud" offers another of Ron Maels intriguing observations on left-field Americana and later turned up a phenomenal 12" mix, while "Shopping Mall of Love" at least offers a suitably rinky-dink tune to match its theme. But ears that recoiled from Music That You Can Dance To into 1986 are unlikely to return to it, and newcomers have at least 20 other Sparks albums to visit before they get around to this one. | ||
 | Album: 19 of 42 Title: Interior Design Released: 1988-08 Tracks: 10 Duration: 44:36 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 So Important (04:34) 2 Just Got Back From Heaven (04:10) 3 Lots of Reasons (03:47) 4 You Got a Hold of My Heart (04:59) 5 Love-o-Rama (04:43) 6 The Toughest Girl in Town (04:16) 7 Lets Make Love (04:46) 8 Stop Me If Youve Heard This Before (03:42) 9 A Walk Down Memory Lane (04:54) 10 Madonna (04:40) |
| Interior Design : Allmusic album Review : It doesnt say much for an album when its strongest track is a shaggy-dog story like Interior Designs "Madonna," and even less when they repeat it three times (albeit in different languages). This is a scaled-down, self-produced effort nearly bereft of Ron and Russell Maels trademark (often off-color) wit. And, unlike many of their earlier albums, they dont have a hot band to put the iffy material across; other than a guitarist and second keyboard player, this is all Ron and Russells show. Between the lackluster songwriting and static arrangements, this 1988 release is Sparks weakest album to date. | ||
 | Album: 20 of 42 Title: Mael Intuition: The Best of Sparks 1974-76 Released: 1990 Tracks: 20 Duration: 1:01:23 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 This Town Ain’t Big Enough for Both of Us (03:04) 2 Amateur Hour (03:35) 3 Here in Heaven (02:50) 4 Thank God It’s Not Christmas (05:08) 5 Hasta Manana Monsieur (03:46) 6 Complaints (02:52) 7 Never Turn Your Back on Mother Earth (02:28) 8 Something for the Girl With Everything (02:18) 9 Achoo (03:34) 10 Propaganda (00:22) 11 At Home, at Work, at Play (03:08) 12 Reinforcements (03:55) 13 B. C. (02:12) 14 Hospitality on Parade (04:00) 15 Happy Hunting Ground (03:42) 16 Without Using Hands (03:21) 17 Get in the Swing (04:07) 18 It Ain’t 1918 (02:08) 19 In the Future (02:12) 20 Looks, Looks, Looks (02:33) |
| Mael Intuition: The Best of Sparks 1974-76 : Allmusic album Review : A well-chosen, 20-track compilation derived from the groups three best albums (Kimono My House, Propaganda, and Indiscreet), released during their brief, productive tenure with Island Records. Producers Muff Winwood (for the first two, harder-rocking albums) and Tony Visconti (the more varied and elaborately arranged Indiscreet) both provide the Mael brothers with solid, sympathetic settings for their witty, rapid-fire lyrics and manic delivery. Songs range from the aggressive riff of "At Home, at Work, at Play" (a precursor to the heavier sound of the 1976 album, Big Beat) to the uncanny Andrews Sisters evocation "Looks, Looks, Looks." Russell Maels quavery falsetto is an acquired taste, and his vocal affectations can try the listeners nerves on prolonged exposure. Also, their tendency to deliver a few hundred lyrics in as many seconds makes interpretation a challenge, but their perverse humor rewards the effort. This is probably all the Sparks the casual fan needs. | ||
 | Album: 21 of 42 Title: Profile: The Ultimate Sparks Collection Released: 1991-04 Tracks: 40 Duration: 2:26:01 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Wonder Girl (02:20) 2 (No More) Mr. Nice Guys (05:47) 3 Girl From Germany (03:29) 4 I Like Girls (02:53) 5 This Town Ain’t Big Enough for Both of Us (03:04) 6 Barbecutie (03:08) 7 Amateur Hour (03:35) 8 Talent Is an Asset (03:24) 9 Lost and Found (03:21) 10 Hasta Manana, Monsieur (03:51) 11 Propaganda (00:22) 12 At Home, At Work, At Play (03:07) 13 Something for the Girl With Everything (02:18) 14 Never Turn Your Back on Mother Earth (02:28) 15 Achoo (03:34) 16 Get in the Swing (04:33) 17 Looks, Looks, Looks (02:33) 18 Happy Hunting Ground (03:46) 19 Big Boy (03:31) 20 Nothing to Do (03:09) 21 Over the Summer (03:48) 22 A Big Surprise (03:42) 1 Beat the Clock (04:25) 2 The Number One Song in Heaven (07:28) 3 Tryouts for the Human Race (06:08) 4 When I’m With You (04:07) 5 Funny Face (03:28) 6 Tips for Teens (03:35) 7 Upstairs (03:43) 8 Angst in My Pants (03:33) 9 Sextown U.S.A. (03:01) 10 I Predict (02:56) 11 Moustache (03:31) 12 Modesty Plays (03:04) 13 Cool Places (03:25) 14 All You Ever Think About Is Sex (03:35) 15 With All My Might (03:41) 16 Change (05:27) 17 Music That You Can Dance To (04:24) 18 So Important (04:34) |
| Profile: The Ultimate Sparks Collection : Allmusic album Review : Unfortunately, Sparks never enjoyed more than a small, though devoted, cult following. But it certainly wasnt for a lack of effective hooks and clever, insanely funny lyrics. While a few of the L.A. pop/rockers albums were disappointing, many others were exceptional. For those seeking an introductory overview of Sparks legacy, this two-CD set is highly recommended. From "Achoo" to "Tips for Teens" to "This Town Aint Big Enough for the Both of Us," Profile makes it clear just how delightfully goofy Sparks could be. Often willing to experiment, the group embraces everything from hard rock on "Big Boy" to Euro-disco on Giorgio Moroder-produced songs like "The Number One Song in Heaven" and "Beat the Clock." Despite the inclusion of a few throwaways -- such as the disappointing Music You Can Dance Tos title song -- Profile paints an impressive picture of a wrongly neglected band. | ||
 | Album: 22 of 42 Title: The Heaven Collection / The Hell Collection Released: 1993 Tracks: 38 Duration: 2:33:11 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 This Town Ain’t Big Enough for Both of Us (03:04) 2 The Number One Song in Heaven (07:28) 3 Beat the Clock (04:26) 4 Tryouts for the Human Race (06:08) 5 When I’m With You (04:07) 6 Young Girls (03:54) 7 Funny Face (03:28) 8 Tips for Teens (03:35) 9 I Predict (02:51) 10 Angst in My Pants (03:29) 11 Modesty Plays (03:04) 12 Cool Places (03:25) 13 With All My Might (03:41) 14 Change (05:27) 15 Music That You Can Dance To (04:26) 16 So Important (04:34) 17 Singing in the Shower (04:27) 18 National Crime Awareness Week (05:09) 1 Shout (recorded “live” at The Forest National, Brussels, 1981) (02:18) 2 All You Ever Think About Is Sex (dance mix) (05:07) 3 Get Crazy (alternate version) (04:10) 4 Jingle for “Brussels” Concert 1981 (01:06) 5 Rosebud (extended dance mix) (06:07) 6 Je m’appelle Russell (03:35) 7 “Nissan” Commercial (01:02) 8 Singing in the Shower (original demo version) (04:05) 9 Madonna (French version) (04:38) 10 The Japanese Have Come and They Brought My Number One (04:34) 11 Jingle Announcing “Magic Mountain” Concert (01:03) 12 Just Got Back From Heaven (Heaven Can Wait mix) (05:42) 13 Dance Godammit (dance mix) (04:02) 14 The Armies of the Night (from the movie “Fright Night”) (alternate version) (04:36) 15 Breaking Out of Prison (from the movie “Heavenly Bodies”) (alternate version) (04:14) 16 Jingle Announcing “Magic Mountain” Concert (01:01) 17 I Predict (recorded “live” at Le Palace, Hollywood, 1985) (06:30) 18 Sextown U.S.A. (03:01) 19 Achoo (recorded “live” at Fairfield Halls, Croydon U.K., 1975) (05:03) 20 This Town Ain’t Big Enough for Both of Us (recorded “live” at Fairfield Halls, Croydon U.K., 1975) (04:16) |
 | Album: 23 of 42 Title: In the Swing Released: 1993 Tracks: 14 Duration: 43:49 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 This Town Ain’t Big Enough for Both of Us (03:04) 2 Hasta Manana, Monsieur (03:36) 3 Amateur Hour (03:35) 4 Lost and Found (03:20) 5 Never Turn Your Back on Mother Earth (02:28) 6 I Like Girls (02:58) 7 I Want to Hold Your Hand (02:56) 8 Get in the Swing (04:23) 9 Looks Looks Looks (02:35) 10 England (03:16) 11 Big Boy (03:22) 12 Something for the Girl With Everything (02:17) 13 Marry Me (02:53) 14 Gone With the Wind (03:01) |
| In the Swing : Allmusic album Review : While first impressions impart just another budget-priced collection harking back to the Mael brothers most golden years, In the Swing actually turns out to be a pretty useful primer, not only for Sparks best known (1973-1976) output, but also for some of the less well-traveled corners of their oeuvre. Following Spectrums standard policy of unearthing rarities, the soul of In the Swing is devoted to the B-sides and oddities that other CDs file away as bonus tracks -- which is grossly unfair to some of the sharpest songs in the bands repertoire. Certainly "I Like Girls," a Kimono My House outtake that remained unreleased for close to 20 years, should be heard by anyone who doubts that Sparks were a more than capable straight-ahead rock band when they put their minds to it, while the B-sides "Lost and Found" and "Marry Me" both have a charm that is all the more endearing for being so underplayed. Sparks admittedly execrable orchestral assault on "I Wanna Hold Your Hand" is at least a welcome inclusion for collectors, while the Indiscreet-era offcut "Gone With the Wind" is, contrarily, an absolute treasure, bristling with all the hallmarks of classic Sparks, at a time when they were doing their damnedest to avoid them. Of course, its not all oddities. All six of Sparks period hit singles are included, alongside the ever entertaining "Hasta Manana Monsieur"s odyssey into the perils of dating intellectual foreigners: "you mentioned Kant and I was shocked...where I come from, girls dont have such foul tongues." Priceless. | ||
 | Album: 24 of 42 Title: The Hell Collection Released: 1993 Tracks: 20 Duration: 1:16:21 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Shout (recorded “live” at The Forest National, Brussels, 1981) (02:18) 2 All You Ever Think About Is Sex (dance mix) (05:07) 3 Get Crazy (alternate version) (04:10) 4 Jingle for “Brussels” Concert 1981 (01:06) 5 Rosebud (extended dance mix) (06:07) 6 Je m’appelle Russell (03:35) 7 “Nissan” Commercial (01:02) 8 Singing in the Shower (original demo version) (04:05) 9 Madonna (French version) (04:38) 10 The Japanese Have Come and They Brought My Number One (04:34) 11 Jingle Announcing “Magic Mountain” Concert (01:03) 12 Just Got Back From Heaven (Heaven Can Wait mix) (05:42) 13 Dance Godammit (dance mix) (04:02) 14 The Armies of the Night (from the movie “Fright Night”) (alternate version) (04:36) 15 Breaking Out of Prison (from the movie “Heavenly Bodies”) (alternate version) (04:14) 16 Jingle Announcing “Magic Mountain” Concert (01:01) 17 I Predict (recorded “live” at Le Palace, Hollywood, 1985) (06:30) 18 Sextown U.S.A. (03:01) 19 Achoo (recorded “live” at Fairfield Halls, Croydon U.K., 1975) (05:03) 20 This Town Ain’t Big Enough for Both of Us (recorded “live” at Fairfield Halls, Croydon U.K., 1975) (04:16) |
| The Hell Collection : Allmusic album Review : Released in France as a counterpart to a more straightforward compilation of hits (called, but of course, The Heaven Collection), Hell is a totally schizophrenic (and all the more appealing for it), 20-song grab-bag of alternate takes, live versions, strange rarities and the like from nearly all phases of the Maels career. Organized in no particular fashion, but with detailed and funny liner notes from Russell about each of the tracks origins, along with near-complete lyrics, Hell definitely appeals much more to the hardcore fan than the casual listener, but theres enough going on here to warrant investigation to one extent or another. Most of the alternate versions or remixes here, including "All You Ever Think About Is Sex" and "Just Got Back From Heaven," are pleasant if generally not much different from the more familiar versions. Its the various unreleased or live numbers which really sparkle here. "Je MAppelle Russell" and the harsh-sounding heavy synth groover "The Japanese Have Come and They Bought My Number One" are trippy little cuts, while the live 1985 version of "I Predict" and two 1975 concert cuts (a bit flat on sound quality but still listenable, complete with rabid U.K. audience squeals) show the band cutting it equally well on stage as in the studio. On top of all this are a number of radio ads for shows in Europe and at L.A.s Magic Mountain, a proposed Nissan commercial, and songs rescued from movie soundtracks and other random sources (a classic Russell quote from his notes on "The Armies of the Night," recorded for Fright Night: "one of those horror films that makes Francis Ford Coppolas Dracula look better and better by the minute"). A mixed bag, but one which showcases the continuing Sparks appeal in its own right nonetheless. | ||
 | Album: 25 of 42 Title: The Heaven Collection Released: 1993 Tracks: 18 Duration: 1:16:49 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 This Town Ain’t Big Enough for Both of Us (03:04) 2 The Number One Song in Heaven (07:28) 3 Beat the Clock (04:26) 4 Tryouts for the Human Race (06:08) 5 When I’m With You (04:07) 6 Young Girls (03:54) 7 Funny Face (03:28) 8 Tips for Teens (03:35) 9 I Predict (02:51) 10 Angst in My Pants (03:29) 11 Modesty Plays (03:04) 12 Cool Places (03:25) 13 With All My Might (03:41) 14 Change (05:27) 15 Music That You Can Dance To (04:26) 16 So Important (04:34) 17 Singing in the Shower (04:27) 18 National Crime Awareness Week (05:09) |
| The Heaven Collection : Allmusic album Review : The companion, of course, to the Hell Collection, but whereas that set delved into the darkest corners of the Sparks catalog in search of obscurities, oddities, and rarities, Heaven sparkles from the very toppermost of the poppermost, to serve up the kind of greatest-hits collection that longtime Sparks fans had despaired of ever seeing. Serial label-hoppers that they are, the hits gathered here span at least five different record companies, and there are some omissions centered around the brothers breakthrough days in England. But "This Town Aint Big Enough" is present and correct, raising the curtain on an album that then dives headlong into the late-70s Giorgio Moroder era, picks up on the early-80s years of American success, peaks with the still insanely infectious "Cool Places" duet with Jane Wiedlin...and then keeps going! The single version of "Change," surely one of the all-time greatest Sparks records ever, makes its CD debut here, while "Singing in the Shadow" reminds us that not all of Sparks best records were recorded by them alone; here they team up with French wonder kids Les Rita Mitsouko, and the result is phenomenal. Indeed, theres only one downside to the entire Heaven experience and thats the fact that its audio only. A similarly far-reaching Sparks videos collection would really blow those pearly gates off their hinges. | ||
 | Album: 26 of 42 Title: Gratuitous Sax & Senseless Violins Released: 1994-11 Tracks: 11 Duration: 45:00 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Gratuitous Sax (00:31) 2 When Do I Get to Sing ‘My Way’ (04:37) 3 (When I Kiss You) I Hear Charlie Parker Playing (05:13) 4 Frankly, Scarlett, I Don’t Give a Damn (05:03) 5 I Thought I Told You to Wait in the Car (04:20) 6 Hear No Evil, See No Evil, Speak No Evil (05:37) 7 Now That I Own the BBC (04:58) 8 Tsui Hark (04:31) 9 The Ghost of Liberace (04:15) 10 Let’s Go Surfing (05:02) 11 Senseless Violins (00:49) |
| Gratuitous Sax & Senseless Violins : Allmusic album Review : Even the cover art is great, playing with the same fake tabloid style that Guns N Roses tried but with funnier results. Beginning with a semi-echo of the start of Propaganda, with the a cappella "Gratuitous Sax" leading into the surging, well-deserved European smash hit "When Do I Get to Sing My Way," Gratuitous Sax & Senseless Violins broke a near seven-year silence from Ron and Russell Mael -- the longest period of time by far since their start in between major releases. Rather than sounding tired or out of touch, though, the brothers gleefully embraced the modern synth/house/techno explosion for their own purposes (an explosion which, after all, they had helped start with their work during the late 70s with Giorgio Moroder). Solely recorded by the Maels with no outside help, Sax keeps that same, perfect Sparks formula -- Russells sweet vocals soar with smart and suspect lyrics over Rons sometimes fast and furious, sometimes slow and elegant melodies, here performed with detailed electronic lushness. They make their style live yet again, feeling far fresher here than on Interior Design. "(When I Kiss You) I hear Charlie Parker Playing" finds Russell rapping (!), "I Thought I Told You to Wait in the Car" has a great building chorus, and "Lets Go Surfing" helps wrap up the album with a wistfully triumphant call to arms. "Tsui Hark" is the one slight departure from the formula, featuring the Hong Kong director Hark himself giving a brief autobiography while a colleague speaks in Chinese. Though some longtime fans groused that they missed the more rocked-up Sparks of the early 70s (or early 80s) in comparison, all in all, Gratuitous Sax & Senseless Violins is a well-deserved return to form from a band which has deserved far more attention from the musical world, or the world at large, than they have received. | ||
 | Album: 27 of 42 Title: Amateur Hour Released: 1995 Tracks: 5 Duration: 14:01 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 This Town Aint Big Enough for Both of Us (03:50) 2 Amateur Hour (03:20) 3 B.C. (02:20) 4 Never Turn Your Back on Mother Earth (02:20) 5 Something for the Girl With Everything (02:11) |
 | Album: 28 of 42 Title: Plagiarism Released: 1997 Tracks: 19 Duration: 1:14:26 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Pulling Rabbits Out of a Hat (03:36) 2 This Town Ain’t Big Enough for Both of Us (04:03) 3 The No. 1 Song in Heaven, Part 2 (04:06) 4 Funny Face (05:11) 5 When Do I Get to Sing ‘My Way’ (05:44) 6 Angst in My Pants (05:19) 7 Change (05:26) 8 Popularity (04:21) 9 Something for the Girl With Everything (02:52) 10 This Town Ain’t Big Enough for Both of Us (03:02) 11 Beat the Clock (04:30) 12 Big Brass Ring (04:20) 13 Amateur Hour (03:35) 14 Propaganda (02:35) 15 When I’m With You (04:06) 16 Something for the Girl With Everything (03:15) 17 Orchestral Collage (00:24) 18 The No. 1 Song in Heaven (05:20) 19 Never Turn Your Back on Mother Earth (02:34) |
| Plagiarism : Allmusic album Review : In the age of remixing, sampling and cut-and-paste record-making, leave it to Sparks to beat everyone to the punch and put the 90s spin on their own catalog before someone else did. Nineteen Sparks favorites are tackled here, including a super Hi-NRG version of "The Number One Song in Heaven" and a keenly orchestrated "This Town Aint Big Enough for Both of Us," both delivered with a hand from their friends in opera-rock: Jimmy Somerville and Faith No More, respectively. | ||
 | Album: 29 of 42 Title: 12" Mixes Released: 1999 Tracks: 10 Duration: 55:49 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 All You Ever Think About Is Sex (05:07) 2 Beat the Clock (06:36) 3 Young Girls (03:55) 4 Cool Places (04:40) 5 Dance Godammit (04:03) 6 I Predict (06:20) 7 Modesty Plays (05:17) 8 Kiss Me Quick (05:41) 9 Pretending to Be Drunk (05:38) 10 The Number One Song in Heaven (08:32) |
 | Album: 30 of 42 Title: Balls Released: 2000-08-28 Tracks: 11 Duration: 48:43 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Balls (04:23) 2 More Than a Sex Machine (05:03) 3 Scheherazade (04:28) 4 Aeroflot (04:28) 5 The Calm Before the Storm (04:03) 6 How to Get Your Ass Kicked (04:18) 7 Bullet Train (04:20) 8 It’s a Knockoff (03:42) 9 Irreplaceable (05:05) 10 It’s Educational (04:01) 11 The Angels (04:47) |
| Balls : Allmusic album Review : Los Angeles legends and music innovators Sparks, best known in the States for their 80s hit "Cool Places" with Jane Wiedlin, has actually been around for nearly 30 years, consistently putting out records and developing a cult following. Precursors to electronica, synth-pop, and new wave, the brothers Ron and Russell Mael have inspired such varied acts as Ween, Fear, and They Might Be Giants. With an ironic, irreverent way of looking at the world reflected in their wordplay and dramatic productions that are highlighted by the coldness of heavy synthesizers, they come across like a combination of the Pet Shop Boys, Men Without Hats, and a splash of Devo. Despite the welcome dichotomy created by their silly lyrics and detached synths, there is something forlorn about the duos melodies -- even when singing lines like "Im much more than this/more than a sex machine," covering odd topics like an ode to Scheherezade or explaining "How to get Your Ass Kicked." This being Sparks 18th album, the Mael brothers clearly know what theyre doing. Though both the lyrics and the production are quirky, there is nothing dumb about them. To be able to make a song called "More Than a Sex Machine" anthemic shows just how elegant and how smart the Maels are. The melodies have brilliant pop hooks and Russells voice soars. Balls made it worth the three-year wait between this and their last album, Plagiarism. | ||
 | Album: 31 of 42 Title: This Album’s Big Enough… : The Best of Sparks Released: 2002-09-23 Tracks: 14 Duration: 57:43 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 This Town Ain’t Big Enough for Both of Us (03:04) 2 Amateur Hour (03:35) 3 The Number One Song in Heaven (07:28) 4 Get in the Swing (04:07) 5 Looks Looks Looks (02:35) 6 Something for the Girl With Everything (02:18) 7 Beat the Clock (04:21) 8 Young Girls (04:52) 9 Cool Places (03:24) 10 La Dolce Vita (05:55) 11 A Fun Bunch of Guys From Outer Space (04:00) 12 Dance Godammit (03:23) 13 Tryouts for the Human Race (06:08) 14 Never Turn Your Back on Mother Earth (02:28) |
| This Album’s Big Enough… : The Best of Sparks : Allmusic album Review : A quick and uninspired collection of Sparks hits, This Albums Big Enough lacks the personality of their other collections, despite having a great title. The fantastic "When Im With You" is missing, and instead we get three songs off the almost-an-EP No. 1 in Heaven. There are a couple of great Sparks compilations available, so skip this one. | ||
 | Album: 32 of 42 Title: Lil’ Beethoven Released: 2002-11-26 Tracks: 12 Duration: 54:59 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 The Rhythm Thief (05:18) 2 How Do I Get to Carnegie Hall? (03:50) 3 What Are All These Bands So Angry About? (03:32) 4 I Married Myself (04:59) 5 Ride ’em Cowboy (04:20) 6 My Baby’s Taking Me Home (04:42) 7 Your Call’s Very Important to Us. Please Hold. (04:11) 8 Ugly Guys With Beautiful Girls (07:07) 9 Suburban Homeboy (02:58) 10 The Legend of Lil’ Beethoven (02:06) 11 Wunderbar (03:54) 12 The Rhythm Thief (instrumental) (07:56) |
| Lil’ Beethoven : Allmusic album Review : Anybody looking for Sparks to return to the timeless lushness of "Under the Table With Her" or the sonic indiscretions of "Change," the disconcerting dynamics of "Equator," or the pulsing repetition of Number One Song in Heaven is going to recognize Lil Beethoven almost immediately. But anybody holding any of those ideals so dear that they cannot see past their superficial tensions is going to be left in disarray. Lil Beethoven is the (or, more appropriately, a) summation of everything Sparks had been promising for the past 30 years. It is also quite unlike anything they have ever delivered before. The classical pretensions of the title are mirrored exactly in the music. Strings, acoustics, piano, and chorales are the albums primary assets, layered on with such guile that their essential simplicity is absolutely disguised. Lyrically, Lil Beethoven is sharper than Sparks have sounded in a while -- at least since the best bits of Gratuitous Sax, with the closing "Suburban Homeboy" a brilliant summary of every rich kid booming rap from their mothers SUV ("I say yo! Dog to my detailing guy"). One song, though, is constructed almost wholly around a joke that is older than dirt ("How Do I Get to Carnegie Hall?" -- "practice, man, practice"); another takes the bulk of its lyric from a stubborn voice-mail system ("Your Call Is Very Important to Us -- Please Hold"). But, while the repetition itself can grow...well, repetitive, on an album that stakes out its parameters by introducing "The Rhythm Thief" ("oh no, where did the groove go?"), then letting him steal every beat off the record, the mantras themselves become a pulse of sorts, around which the orchestrations take the wildest flights. There are breaks. The exquisite "I Married Myself" is as lush a loving ballad as Sparks have ever wrapped their more Beatlesque aspirations around, and that despite the entire song stretching out over the kind of prelude that other people might have reserved for a pretty prelude alone. Later, "Ugly Guys With Beautiful Girls" is less a lyric, more a son-of-"Change"-style diatribe, but the greatest shock comes when you realize just how easily conditioned you were by the rest of the album. Thumping beat and wired guitar leap out with such resolute energy that it feels like youre listening to another record entirely -- every time you play it. And that is the magic of Lil Beethoven. It takes a few plays to understand and a few more to appreciate. But how many times can you listen to it through and still be discovering new things to admire? Thats a question that time alone can answer. | ||
 | Album: 33 of 42 Title: Hello Young Lovers Released: 2006-02-06 Tracks: 10 Duration: 51:43 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Dick Around (06:38) 2 Perfume (04:59) 3 The Very Next Fight (05:29) 4 (Baby, Baby) Can I Invade Your Country (06:34) 5 Rock, Rock, Rock (05:10) 6 Metaphor (04:03) 7 Waterproof (04:17) 8 Here Kitty (04:32) 9 There’s No Such Thing as Aliens (02:54) 10 As I Sit Down to Play the Organ at the Notre Dame Cathedral (07:02) |
| Hello Young Lovers : Allmusic album Review : Why it is that after years or even decades some artists continue to thrill and entertain while others just burn out badly is one of those great mysteries, but in the example of Ron and Russell Mael, aka Sparks, theyre firmly in the former category. Hello Young Lovers is their 20th studio album in 35 years, not to mention one of their best. Following on from their enjoyable all-classical instrumentation experiment, Lil Beethoven, Sparks take their cue here from the albums one song that added full rock band instrumentation to all the strings, "Ugly Guys with Beautiful Girls." The resulting fusion on Hello Young Lovers -- with the brothers and drummer Tammy Glover now accompanied full-time by former touring guitarist Dean Menta, along with Redd Kross Steve McDonald guesting on bass and Jim Wilson on guitar -- audibly harks back to the U.K. glam era of the band but crucially does not simply replicate it. Instead, its as close to a full mélange of all the bands various sounds thus far over the years, as Lil Beethovens orchestral swoops are shot through with feedback and subtler hints of the various dance incarnations of the duo. Opening track "Dick Around," with its rapidly ascending and descending melodies, absolutely precise performance (Russells voice continues to be one of the best ever in the field while Rons ear for immediate but busy-as-heck hooks similarly hasnt gone stale), and back-and-forth arrangements between strings and guitar is a tour de force on its own, not to mention showing that the trademark Mael misanthropic wit remains fully intact. From there, Hello Young Lovers is off to the races, with only a tiny misstep or two along the way ("Here Kitty" is cute but slight, "Metaphor" takes a while to connect fully). First single "Perfume" is a delight, a finger-snapping swing of a song thats still very 21st century, with a classic Russell spoken word break to boot. Other highlights include the outrageous "(Baby Baby) Can I Invade Your Country?," a reworking of the American national anthem that turns into the slyest post-9/11 song yet, and the stellar conclusion "When I Sit Down to the Play the Organ in the Notre Dame Cathedral." "Waterproof" might be the best song in the end, Russell singing like butter couldnt melt in his mouth about being a merrily heartless bastard untroubled by his former loves "Meryl Streep mimicry" while the sound moves from chamber music to a hint of 30s jazz to a full rock-out apocalypse. If, as is often alleged, Queen ripped off Sparks to fully kick-start their own career, Hello Young Lovers is Sparks having the last and best laugh, not just on their former rivals but on all those bands now and then whose members may have listened in but never showed even a tenth of the Maels genius and inspiration. | ||
 | Album: 34 of 42 Title: Exotic Creatures of the Deep Released: 2008-05-19 Tracks: 13 Duration: 50:03 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Intro (01:02) 2 Good Morning (03:53) 3 Strange Animal (05:45) 4 I Can’t Believe That You Would Fall for All the Crap in This Song (03:54) 5 Let the Monkey Drive (04:09) 6 Intro Reprise (00:24) 7 I’ve Never Been High (04:31) 8 (She Got Me) Pregnant (04:13) 9 Lighten Up, Morrissey (04:14) 10 This Is the Renaissance (03:45) 11 The Director Never Yelled “Cut” (03:54) 12 Photoshop (04:01) 13 Likeable (06:13) |
| Exotic Creatures of the Deep : Allmusic album Review : Bookended as it is by Russell Maels wordless chorale vocals that help kick off the opening "Intro" and which recur in the soothing but strange conclusion to the final song, "Likeable," not to mention similar moments throughout the album, its almost too easy to summarize Exotic Creatures of the Deep as Sparks most involved tribute to the Beach Boys, late-60s version. But as with nearly everything the bands ever done, one cant sum up an album quite as simply as that, and Exotic Creatures, if not as completely explosive as Hello Young Lovers at its heights, finds the rude creative health of the Maels still firing on all cylinders. The amalgam of orchestrations, feedback, and a new millenniums electronics evident in recent releases often sounds all the more integrated here, readily heard on the post-one-night-stand scenario lead single "Good Morning." Similarly, multi-part arrangements recur on efforts like "Strange Animal" and the outrageous "(She Got Me) Pregnant." That all said, the other key element to Sparks continued success -- Ron Maels catchy melodies and utterly skew-whiff take on humanity and its foibles -- equally holds sway, and if time lends some inevitable familiarity to the tropes, the variations are still strong enough to work wonders. The simmering political discontents that had already popped up in the Maels 21st century work crystallize with "Let the Monkey Drive," a slam on a certain 43rd president with some of Rons angriest piano parts, while they tip their hat to a noted disciple with "Lighten Up, Morrissey" (actually meant to be a portrayal of a despairing man whose girlfriend is so obsessed with said singer that their relationship is on the rocks). Compared to Hello Young Lovers, Exotic Creatures does sound a little starker at points, but its often also subtler and slyer, tempering bombast in favor of sprightly but also uneasy melodies on songs like "The Director Never Yelled Cut." Perhaps the most emblematic song of the whole album is a swaggering electro-glam stomp, at once reminiscent of their early English heyday and perfectly in sync with the post-schaffel pop universe, with a killer vocal performance by Russell topped by his intoning of the song title in the chorus -- "I Cant Believe That You Would Fall for All the Crap in This Song." | ||
 | Album: 35 of 42 Title: The Seduction of Ingmar Bergman Released: 2009-11-09 Tracks: 24 Duration: 1:04:31 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 1956 Cannes Film Festival (01:55) 2 “I Am Ingmar Bergman” (03:09) 3 Limo Driver (Welcome to Hollywood) (03:08) 4 “Here He Is Now” (01:18) 5 ”Mr. Bergman, How Are You?” (04:28) 6 “He’ll Come Round” (01:44) 7 En Route to the Beverly Hills Hotel (01:56) 8 Hollywood Welcoming Committee (02:36) 9 “I’ve Got to Contact Sweden” (02:40) 10 The Studio Commissary (03:07) 11 “I Must Not Be Hasty” (01:47) 12 “Quiet on the Set” (01:06) 13 “Why Do You Take That Tone With Me?” (02:52) 1 Pleasant Hotel Staff (00:55) 2 Hollywood Tour Bus (01:34) 3 Autograph Hounds (02:20) 4 Bergman Ponders Escape (02:25) 5 “We’ve Got to Turn Him ’round” (02:37) 6 Escape, Part 1 (04:14) 7 Escape, Part 2 (05:59) 8 “Oh My God” (02:59) 9 Garbo Sings (03:48) 10 Almost a Hollywood Ending (02:13) 11 “He’s Home” (03:38) |
 | Album: 36 of 42 Title: Real Extended (The 12 Inch Mixes) (1979 - 1984) Released: 2012 Tracks: 16 Duration: 1:31:34 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Tryouts for the Human Race (extended version) (07:58) 2 Beat the Clock (extended version) (06:35) 3 La Dolce Vita (extended version) (05:58) 4 The Number One Song in Heaven (long version) (07:27) 5 Young Girls (disco version) (06:12) 6 I Predict (club mix) (06:19) 7 Modesty Plays (extended version) (05:17) 8 Cool Places (12 Inch mix) (04:38) 1 All You Ever Think About Is Sex (12 Inch club version) (05:06) 2 Dance Godammit (12 Inch club version) (04:00) 3 Progress (vocal / extended club mix) (06:14) 4 Pretending to Be Drunk (extended version / New mix) (05:38) 5 Kiss Me Quick (extended version / New mix) (05:39) 6 With All My Might (vocal / extended club mix) (06:39) 7 Sparks in the Dark (instrumental / extended club mix) (03:56) 8 Tryouts for the Human Race (12 Inch short version) (03:58) |
 | Album: 37 of 42 Title: Shortcuts: The 7 Inch Mixes (1979-1984) Released: 2012-08-10 Tracks: 29 Duration: 1:46:18 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Tryouts for the Human Race (03:18) 2 The Number One Song in Heaven (03:53) 3 La Dolce Vita (03:48) 4 Beat the Clock (03:46) 5 Young Girls (03:51) 6 When I’m With You (03:54) 7 Rock ’n’ Roll People in a Disco World (04:47) 8 Funny Face (03:22) 9 Tips for Teens (03:30) 10 I Predict (02:52) 11 Eaten by the Monster of Love (02:56) 12 Modesty Plays (short version) (03:05) 13 Angst in My Pants (03:23) 14 Cool Places (03:22) 15 All You Ever Think About Is Sex (03:31) 1 Please, Baby, Please (03:39) 2 With All My Might (03:39) 3 Pretending to Be Drunk (03:37) 4 My Other Voice (04:52) 5 Just Because You Love Me (04:33) 6 When I’m With You (instrumental) (03:41) 7 Wacky Women (02:47) 8 Don’t Shoot Me (03:54) 9 Moustache (03:29) 10 Nicotina (03:26) 11 Sports (03:21) 12 I Wish I Looked a Little Better (02:57) 13 Rockin’ Girls (04:43) 14 Beat the Clock (Canadian single version) (04:22) |
 | Album: 38 of 42 Title: Extended: The 12 Inch Mixes (1979-1984) Released: 2012-08-13 Tracks: 17 Duration: 1:37:20 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Tryouts for the Human Race (US 12" long version) (07:59) 2 Tryouts for the Human Race (US 12" long version) (07:59) 3 La Dolce Vita (05:59) 4 The Number One Song in Heaven (Dave Audes Heavenly vocal) (08:34) 5 Young Girls (7" single edit) (03:54) 6 I Predict (club mix) (06:20) 7 Modesty Plays (long version) (05:18) 8 Cool Places (long mix) (04:38) 1 All You Ever Think About Is Sex (12" club version) (05:07) 2 Dance Godammit (12" club version) (04:01) 3 Progress (vocal / extended club mix) (06:15) 4 Pretending to Be Drunk (extended version / new mix) (05:39) 5 Kiss Me Quick (extended version / new mix) (05:40) 6 With All My Might (vocal / extended club mix) (06:40) 7 Sparks in the Dark (instrumental / extended club mix) (03:57) 8 Tryouts for the Human Race ( US 7" promo single mix (04:01) 9 The Number One Song in Heaven (05:19) |
 | Album: 39 of 42 Title: New Music For Amnesiacs: The Essential Collection Released: 2013 Tracks: 40 Duration: 2:30:57 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify AlbumCover | 1 Wonder Girl (02:20) 2 Girl From Germany (03:30) 3 This Town Ain’t Big Enough for Both of Us (03:04) 4 Amateur Hour (03:35) 5 Propaganda (00:22) 6 At Home, At Work, At Play (03:07) 7 Never Turn Your Back on Mother Earth (02:28) 8 Something for the Girl With Everything (02:18) 9 Looks, Looks, Looks (02:33) 10 Get in the Swing (04:07) 11 Big Boy (03:31) 12 Nothing to Do (03:09) 13 A Big Surprise (03:42) 14 Forever Young (03:25) 15 The Number One Song in Heaven (07:28) 16 Beat the Clock (04:21) 17 When Im With You (LP single version) (04:06) 18 Tips for Teens (03:35) 19 Funny Face (03:25) 20 Angst in My Pants (03:28) 21 I Predict (02:53) 22 Popularity (03:52) 1 Cool Places (03:23) 2 Pulling Rabbits Out of a Hat (04:07) 3 Music That You Can Dance To (04:22) 4 Change (05:27) 5 Singing in the Shower (04:22) 6 So Important (04:34) 7 National Crime Awareness Week (03:29) 8 When Do I Get to Sing ‘My Way’ (04:37) 9 (When I Kiss You) I Hear Charlie Parker Playing (radio edit) (03:46) 10 Something for the Girl With Everything (03:15) 11 The Calm Before the Storm (single version) (03:17) 12 The Rhythm Thief (05:18) 13 How Do I Get to Carnegie Hall? (03:50) 14 Suburban Homeboy (02:58) 15 Dick Around (06:38) 16 Perfume (04:59) 17 Good Morning (03:53) 18 Lighten Up, Morrissey (04:14) |
 | Album: 40 of 42 Title: Two Hands One Mouth Released: 2013-04-01 Tracks: 21 Duration: 1:26:01 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Sparks Overture (03:24) 2 Hospitality on Parade (04:13) 3 Metaphore (04:20) 4 Propaganda (00:24) 5 At Home, at Work, at Play (03:18) 6 Sherlock Holmes (03:33) 7 Good Morning (03:48) 8 Under the Table With Her (03:06) 9 My Baby’s Taking Me Home (05:10) 10 Singing in the Shower (03:26) 11 The Wedding of Jacqueline Kennedy to Russell Mael (01:46) 12 Excerpts From the Seduction of Ingmar Bergman (06:45) 13 Dick Around (02:45) 14 Never Turn Your Back on Mother Earth (02:16) 15 This Town Ain’t Big Enough for Both of Us (03:09) 16 The Rhythm Thief (04:17) 17 Suburban Homeboy (03:56) 18 When Do I Get to Sing ‘My Way’ (06:01) 1 The Number One Song in Heaven (07:01) 2 Beat the Clock (07:17) 3 Two Hands One Mouth (06:06) |
 | Album: 41 of 42 Title: Left Coast Angst: Live Radio Broadcast Recordings 1982-1983 Released: 2015 Tracks: 15 Duration: 1:09:41 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Sextown, USA (03:57) 2 Funny Face (03:49) 3 Eaten by the Monster of Love (03:06) 4 Mickey Mouse (03:46) 5 I Predict (06:15) 6 Moustache (03:41) 7 I Married a Martian (06:48) 8 Tips for Teens (03:49) 1 Angst in My Pants (04:40) 2 Wacky Women (04:42) 3 Upstairs (06:14) 4 Wish I Looked a Little Better (03:45) 5 All You Think About Is Sex (04:19) 6 Modesty Plays (05:23) 7 Cool Places (05:27) |
 | Album: 42 of 42 Title: Hippopotamus Released: 2017-09-08 Tracks: 15 Duration: 55:17 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify TrackSamples Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Probably Nothing (01:21) 2 Missionary Position (04:18) 3 Edith Piaf (Said It Better Than Me) (04:32) 4 Scandinavian Design (04:10) 5 Giddy Giddy (03:10) 6 What the Hell Is It This Time? (04:03) 7 Unaware (03:54) 8 Hippopotamus (03:47) 9 Bummer (03:58) 10 I Wish You Were Fun (04:04) 11 So Tell Me Mrs. Lincoln Aside from That How Was the Play? (04:00) 12 When Youre a French Director (02:45) 13 The Amazing Mr. Repeat (02:59) 14 A Little Bit Like Fun (03:57) 15 Life with the Macbeths (04:12) |
| Hippopotamus : Allmusic album Review : When Ron and Russell Mael were growing up, their parents probably told them they were too clever for their own good on a regular basis. But the jokes on Mom and Dad, since the Mael brothers have managed to build a lasting career out of being the smarty-pantses behind Sparks, whove been doing their very particular thing since 1970 with no sign of stopping. Released in 2017, Hippopotamus isnt an especially groundbreaking release for Sparks, but its a more than solid effort that shows they havent lost a bit of their smarts or their snarky way with a melody, an especially impressive achievement when you consider Russell was 68 and Ron was 72 when this album was released. This hardly sounds like the work of senior citizens, while it also sounds like Sparks and nobody else; Russells gloriously pompous vocals are as theatrical as ever, and his instrument is in fine shape, while Rons keyboards dominate the arrangements, carrying the melodies that combine pop hooks with prog-like bombast (though despite their arty side, this band is still incapable of keeping a straight face for long). Hippopotamus sounds contemporary without straining to appear up-to-date (despite the derisive Taylor Swift reference), at least to the extent that Sparks are as cheerfully out of place now as theyve ever been, and the craft here is essentially flawless. And lyrically, Ron and Russell are still the Oscar Wildes of idiosyncratic pop, tossing out an endless series of bon mots about the mechanics of sex, people who tragically love the color brown, deities who hate being bothered with trivial requests, the pros and cons of giddiness, the behavior of French filmmakers, and how that hippo got into their swimming pool. If youve never liked Sparks, Hippopotamus isnt likely to convince you otherwise, but as a band that seems perversely proud of being an acquired taste, this album shows Sparks are still in fine fettle, and this should delight their loyal fan base. | ||