Kimono My House
Sparks
1974
Album Summary
Kimono My House is the third album by rock band Sparks. The record was released in May 1974 and is considered to be their commercial breakthrough. It was met with widespread acclaim. Preceded by the single "This Town Ain't Big Enough for Both of Us", Kimono My House peaked at number 4 in the UK and number 101 in the US. Retrospectively, Kimono My House is considered one of Sparks's best works and one of the best glam rock albums.
WikipediaBlondie crudites and only on the raw end because I don't think the full new wave repertoire of whizz bangs was available at the time. On this evidence they played a big part in creating them. Glam, camp and archly European in the sense that it made me want to throw on some make up and goose step around the house in a tutu. Like the rest of new wave (though I only have a basic understanding) the formula is that that everything can be a hook.
How does one assess an album by an act as idiosyncratic as Sparks? simple: you listen to Kimono My House, and you conclude that it's great. Job done. Kimono My House is the album that brought the brothers Mael to stardom, and placed them within the glam pantheon. Wonderfully, Sparks has never stopped, and indeed they're enjoying a deserved second flush of critical and commercial success. So how does the album that propelled them to fame affect the listener today? Sparks have one of the most well-developed sense of humour of any band (one aspect of this 1001 album exercise is that it made me realise how important it is for a band to have a sense of humour about them, rather than disappear up their own fundament mewling about how tortured they supposedly are). One must surely delight at the smutty erudition of the lines: You mentioned kant and I was shocked You know, where I come from, none of the girls have such foul tongues The album is festooned with such zingers. The music itself is highly stylised, baroque even, but that's authentically Sparks: Ron and Russell are educated, wry chaps steeped in the history of songwriting, so primitivism would just be an ill-fitting garb for Sparks. Be thankful that Sparks pursue such a singular muse, and that the made a singularly great album as this.
Ah, Sparks. A band where you're aware of how influential they are, and maybe you know a couple of their songs. But then you think about it, or maybe do a bit of research, and suddenly they're everywhere, permeating through western music through the past fifty years. This album is good. Like, really good. But having This Town as the opening track is the icing. Like so many Sparks tracks, it sounds like it could be a novelty record. But it is not. There is lyricism, vocal excellence, tunefulness... It has so much going for it that it's almost impossible to play it down. Let's talk about Russell Mael's vocals. I put the album on while driving, and despite having this song in my life for, well, my whole life, I found myself thinking "Hang on, are Sparks women?". No. Russell Mael just has an absolutely incredible voice. Ron's keyboards are just as good, balancing tune and melody perfectly. I really don't think I can wax effusive about this track enough. The rest of the album doesn't reach the heights of This Town, but in literally any other context they're superb. The brothers Mael are showing off talent by the bucketload, creating a unique sound that endures. On the back of this album selection, I went off and watched The Sparks Brothers documentary, directed by Edgar Wright (my second reference to Wright in my reviews, but this time in an entirely positive way) and was blown away by literally a fifty year ouvre, including of course Johnny Delusional - a track from their 2015 supergroup team up in FFS - which might be one of the best tracks of the 21st century. I'd say listen to this album. Then go off and listen to more Sparks. Excellent.
It's a bad sign when you find yourself checking to see how many songs are left.
This try-hard, bad-falsetto, weird-for-the-sake-of-being-weird album full of cut-rate Elton John and Freddie Mercury impressions and discount-bin creeper-ballads for some reason just didn't manage to impress me. It's not even an also-ran with its contemporaries, it's just a bad knock-off.
An incredible, fun, campy, glam rock sound. Nothing else like. Russel's performance is awesome!
You know how George Costanza said he would drape himself in velvet if it were socially acceptable? This is how I feel about this album. I just want to luxuriate in it all day long. Oh my, yes I'm weird. I have a special fondness for glam-era Mael brothers. Their music is so over the top, exuberant and whimsical. It's the word "dandified" in musical form. Did I also mention it rocks? Of all the band's albums, I think Kimono My House might be my favorite. The quality is consistent throughout and thoroughly entertaining. It’s an album full of fun, campy musical confections, with lush, frolicking arrangements, and a delightful sense of humor. It’s not all for show either; Sparks has real musical chops to back up their showy tendencies. This is an album that’s a pleasure to listen to, on every level. This band loves what they're doing, and it shows. Fave Songs (All songs, from most to least favorite): Falling in Love with Myself Again, Equator, This Town Ain't Big Enough for the Both of Us, Barbecutie, Here in Heaven, Lost and Found, Thank God It's Not Christmas, In My Family, Amateur Hour, Talent is an Asset, Complaints, Hasta Manana Monsieur
Production: 13/20 Songwriting: 15/20 Innovation: 16/20 Bangers: 5/20 Emotional response: 16/20 =65 This was belting fun
Strange and unique, but man was this album full of life and exciting new things. Never having heard Sparks before, this was definitely the hook I needed to check out their other music.
I'd heard of Sparks from time to time and with that documentary the past year, I saw the name a lot and yet I never checked them out since I always got the impression they were very art rocky and a band that would be tough to get into. I have to say, if the rest of their catalogue is like this album, I was completely wrong. This was absolutely right in my wheelhouse. The melodies were super catchy and I loved the instrumentation, especially those guitars. I will definitely be looking further into their back catalogue.
Ik heb een nieuwe trend gespot in deze lijst: albums die op mijn zenuwen werken. Dit is daar ook weer een mooi voorbeeld van. Het eerste (bekende) nummer is nog wel geinig maar wat er daarna allemaal langskomt....😬
Weird fun vocals awesome guitars. I only knew one track before hearing this “this town ain’t big enough for the both of us” really enjoyed hearing this for the first time
this album is one i was completely fuckign shocked on. I LOVED it, the music, the lyrics, the feel of it, all of it. it marries some of my top bands like The Darkness, Queen, and even a bit of Plastic Bertrand for good measure. i bought this album immediately, and it's easily top 100 albums
I have listened to this album a couple of times before and liked it a lot. It's fun, it's powerful, it's creative.
This one was incredibly weird for a whole number of reasons (most of which should be pretty obvious if you listen to the album). Another way in how it's weird is how good and interesting and varied the music is under all of the layers of weirdness and showmanship. Most glam rock just tends to be style over substance in my opinion. But these guys manage to do both. Not only does this album sound like it must have been hugely influential for a wide range of new wave, synth pop and rock bands, but it also still sounds really fun and good today on its own merits. I did need a few tracks until I could start to wrap my head around the style and I'm sure it will hit me differently when I listen to it a second time, but I am absolutely going to do just that.
When I saw this album I had never heard of last night my first thought was "three star at best", but alas, instead this is probably my favorite album so far. Amazing how an album I've never heard of by a band I've never heard of suddenly becomes one of my favorite things I've listened to in recent memory. Just excellent. The falsetto was a joy to listen to and the energy the album had really scratched that "weird but catchy" itch stuff like Oingo Boingo, Jack Stauber, and even David Bowie hit for me. And the fact this is almost fifty years old makes it all the more impressive.
This sounded like nothing else on the radio in 1974 when I bought this album (they looked like no other band as well). Elements of glam Bowie and Roxy Music, while predating some of the theatricality of Kate Bush. I was all in hook, line and sinker. This is still one of their best. Great melodies (and lots of twists and turns along the way) and very witty lyrics. For me too many highlights to mention, although This Town Isn't Big Enough, Hasta Manana Mousier and Talent Is an Asset are standouts. Loved this in 1974, still do.
Oh my gosh, what a perfect (albeit late) Christmas gift! My significant other got assigned this album a few months ago, and we've both been in love with Sparks every since! I adore Russell's voice, so much so that he's one of my favourite vocalists, and Ron's songwriting is amazing and witty, which really shines through on this record. The instrumentation on this is perfect to me. I'm sad that this doesn't have a higher rating, but I do understand that this might not sound good to some people. To me, however, this is a flawless album. It is banger after banger. It might even be my new favourite album, I love it so much. I'm also sad that Sparks doesn't have any more albums on here, but at least they have this one It's incredibly difficult to pick favourites on this album when every song is so amazing, but I'd say my favourite songs were Hasta Manana, Monsieur, Falling In Love With Myself Again, and Equator.
I remember my older cousins owning this and probably playing it for me when I was a kid. I (re)discovered Sparks in 1997 when they teamed up with Faith No More for This Town Ain't Big Enough for Both of Us, the original of which is on this album. While never a die hard fan, I was aware of what and influence their sound has had on so many other artists. Like many others, my passion for Sparks has been increased in the lead up to the Edgar Wright doco (which I am yet to see) This album is one of their best. Uncomfortable in places it straddles a fine line towards being too wierd. It is weirdness done well, which makes this album so good.
Just some good clean fun from beginning to end. How did this manage to sound so exactly like a 70s album while also sounding unlike anything I've ever heard? Chaotic and melodic and anarchic and fun.
There’s a lot to unpack here and I can understand how it’s not for everyone but I appreciate the variety and willingness to try something new
Sparks are pioneers. Excited to see the Sparks Documentary directed by Edgar Wright this year.
Un album correct de la part d'un groupe composé exclusivement de gros débiles.
this was so awesome <3 felt so creative and fun. catchy as hell. really enjoy this arty/prog/pop rock. felt very 70s. ‘Barbecutie’ COME ON
Holy wow- I had never heard of this band before and I'm so glad they popped up!!! Definitely will listen to them more.
Rollicking good fun, and weird enough to keep my interest the whole time. Fave track - "This Town Ain't Big Enough For The Both of Us" is an absolute tune. I really liked "Equator" on my last couple of listens, but not sure if it might not get irritating with more listens? Or, it could grown on me further, who knows!
Cinco. Ascendo aos céus num cocktail de hipérboles, destinado a falhar algures na estação de serviço. São só palavras. São tudo. MotA: Amateur Hour "Zoo time is she and you time"
Little compares to the sound of Sparks, mainly due to their constant reinvention. Kimono My House is a fantastic album, perhaps with one of the best openings
Not my favorite Sparks album, but still great. Their style is truly unique.
If you haven't already seen the Edgar Wright documentary on Sparks make that your immediate priority. Impossible to overstate their immense diversity influence on tonnes of genres
I've always heard of Sparks and have wanted to listen to their music since they just had a documentary come out about them but never got around to it. This was a good introduction though because I loved this album. It was so unique sounding and energetic and all the songs were catchy. The first two on the album were my favorite though
De openingstrack is geniaal! Dat sfeertje blijft ook eigenlijk wel gedurende het album!! Voelt eigenlijk als een soundtrack van een pop-musical of zo. *****
After hearing about Edgar Wright's movie on Sparks, I kept meaning to check them out and never got to it. Boy, this blew me away in a bizarrely delightful way. Happy to hand out my first 5-star review that isn't to one my tried-and-true classics.
What an album! Takes me back to 74 when I played this to death. Saw them on tour at the time too, supported by Pilot. Not played it for awhile, but this will be remedied immediately!
Way, way better than I expected it to be. Most glam rock is appearance over substance, but this album showcases both and its weirdness is something that I believe influenced many other artists.
A gem in this book. I fell in love with them partly to do with this album being here.
Loud and bombastic, as much a thrill-ride now than when it was released 49 years ago!
“Man, this lead singer sure is talented. I wonder what else she’s done…” *One Google search later* “Huh? She’s a DUDE?!” Funny diatribe aside, this album remains one of the most unique listens you’ll hear pertaining to Glam Rock. Specifically, this album is the product of fusing Glam with its similarly grandiose, posturing cousin: progressive rock. Side B may lose a bit of energy, but played together the whole album’s a real treat. A combination of technically skilled musicianship including rhythmic syncopation and cheeky wordplay about love, loss, and family never fail to crack a smile from even a rock. Sing along if you dare. It’s almost as hard as singing along to Peter Hammil. Standout Songs: “This Town Ain’t Big Enough For Both Of Us” “Amateur Hour” “Here in Heaven” “Hasta Mañana, Monsieur”
Sorprendentemente buenos. Buenos ritmos, melodías y voces. Rock muy setentero.
For some reason this album reminds me of Halloween. It’s also really good. I didn’t enjoy it as much as I feel like I should have for some reason because it’s definitely a weird vibe. It’s very 80s for being from 1974 which is cool. It’s full of bangers that I will have to revisit. Many of the songs on the album are similar which isn’t necessarily a bad thing because there isn’t a song on here that I don’t like but not every track stood out to me. Favorite songs: Amateur Hour, Here in Heaven, Hasta Mañana Monsieur, Equator, Barbecutie, Lost and Found Strong 8/10
At first, I was like wtf! Then I was like hmmm.. I didn't get it until I got to amateur hour. How have I not heard of these guys? So inventive and ahead of their time. Blending genres like me at a froyo place. Absolutely scrumptious album, but I must say that I won't listen to this around other people. It does grow on you, but some grow faster than others. Those two reasons are what keeps it from five stars. Great album! I'm picking up their great hits after this for sure.
Fantastically weird quirky pop. Its pop music written by music theatre nerds who listen to Yes.
Wonderfully camp, Euro electro. Can only imagine what it must have been like hearing this deep in the middle of the prog and glam rock era.
I've never heard anything from Sparks, but I do know that there is a recent documentary about the band. It was good to have a chance to hear something from the band. "Amateur Hour" and "Talent Is an Asset" caught my attention, while "Equator" and I did not get along as well. The downside of the album for me was a feeling of repetition within some of the tracks. My curiosity about what else I might hear if I gave this album a second listen rounds my rating up to 4 stars.
Muy peculiares. Parece un musical - cabaret. Y suena un poco chinokimono. Muchos agudos y bajadas de agudos. Venga, un 4 por novedosos.
Very poppy and fun album. Definitely something I could listen to again when I am feeling nostalgic.
Iznenađujuće dobro i ugodno slušanje, a nikad čuo za njih. VOZAČU AUTOBUSA UBRZAJ KAO I RITAM!
quirky, upbeat, vibrant and catchy art pop from the early 70s. Didn't expect this one to be as good as it is, but between the constant sonic shifting and the endless catchy melodies it's really grabbed me. Off the wall for now, let alone the 70s
Beetje ABBA-vibes, met meer gitaarwerk, en wat minder consistent qua genre. Wel amusante rockmuziek
I enjoyed this. Really fun, poppy melodies and obviously a real precursor to the fantastic art pop we have today.
Cool rock album. Kinda kooky, almost reminds me of Tommy by the who with some of the lyrics. Overall though good album with awesome rock instrumentals
The instrumentals on this album slapped... But vocals ranged from unbearable to OK. Overall had some solid tracks that I can see myself coming back to.
I've recently been "introduced" I guess to Sparks and started to become really interested in them. I've some of their tracks in the past and thought they were really fun and exciting. I am loving listening to this album. I can totally see why a lot of famous musicians say this is their favourite album of all time. There's something really different and interesting about the performance and I'd love to watch more videos of their performances. I'm not totally sure how I feel about two white guys passing in sound as a couple of Asian women and I'm not totally sure whether that's what they were doing... I also appreciate that wasn't really known to be an issue in the 70s. I love the voice and the range!! I love the energetic keys and variety of musical elements in each track. I'm dedicated to getting more into listening to this album properly and watching some of the live performances because they are hyped up to be wonderful.
One of the more zany releases, but a very fun one. Favourites: "This Town Ain't Big Enough For Both Of Us", "Here In Heaven", "Thank God It's Not Christmas"
Like Chris from Family saying Hi ominous monkey, this one sneaks up for a nice surprise. Some pretty good unions of all instruments
Really cool album from a band I've never heard of. Will definitely listen again
Sharp and witty, this is an enjoyable, energetic new wave album full of idiosyncrasies and quirkiness. Is there a higher meaning to the lyrics? Who cares? Just enjoy the ride.
Does it get any more 70's than this? A very ambitious blend of prog, glam and art pop (is art prog a thing?) results in an album that doesn't even sound like it's from earth. It gets a bit too flimsy on the art waltz 'Falling In Love With Myself Again' and 'Talent Is An Asset', but the highlights make this a very enjoyable listen. 'Thank God It's Not Christmas' is one of the greatest titles ever (mostly due a certain Queen song it predated quite a bit), 'Complaints' has some great Supertramp vibes and the catchy 'Equator' lives rent free in my mind, and I don't mind.
If Sparks weren’t an influence for Amanda Palmer, I’ll eat a handful of coriander.
This was an interesting listen for me, since I didn't really like the opening track, despite it being the most well known off the album - the rest of it I ended up really liking. 4
Absolute madness. Sounds like Art Rock that actually kind of rocks. "Amateur Hour" is a great tune and the whole album has aged remarkably well for something that came out in the mid 70s.
Whoa, this album is interesting. Exactly the type of thing I want to encounter on this list. Glam meets art-rock with a dash of prog and avant-garde. This isn't novelty though, the songs are well constructed and catchy.