Reviews (page 3 of 8)
First time listening to Sparks. I found this to be an interesting album. Will have to relisten to it to get the full impact
Good!
These guys understand the first rule of camp, which is *fucking go for it*; everything they do is in all caps, from the soaring falsetto melodies to the drama-queen lyrics (witness the cad who hates Christmas because it's the only day he can't go out and tomcat it up). Hearing this album feels like finding the missing link in the fossil record between ABBA, Queen, the Smiths, and, hell, Weird Al while we're at it. Staying at the album's emotional fever pitch for the whole duration can be a bit exhausting but it's worth it. Bonus points for "Falling In Love With Myself Again," a cheeky masturbation anthem that puts to shame all the self-serious 2010s pop-diva odes to the same subject - somebody oughta just cover it (Ms. Roan, looking in your direction).
Initially I thought I was a female band, and I was very confused when I saw their new album being two men. I overall enjoyed the album, but it didn't stand out.
I wasn’t initially getting into it through the first couple songs, but this record really won me over by the end. It sounds almost like a proto-St. Vincent, really fun sound and strikes the fun balance between being silly and also beautifully melodic. Coming back to say, THAT’S A MAN SINGING?? Holy cow, those are some unbelievable pipes. Best Track: Hasta Manana, Monsieur
If Abba and Meatloaf had a baby
I’d never heard of Sparks before this. I was pretty on board. Sounds like a proto-Of Montreal.
Wasn’t a bad overall album, had some pretty good beats to listen to. Mostly an upbeat album. Couldn’t point out a favourite song, was all decent.
circus vibe, i like it a lot actually!
bom, glam rockzinho bem dançante. mais legal que boa parte dos albuns daqui, hein. tem umas boas DEMAIS e outras normais. mas eu gostei, até. vou ouvir mais vezes. a capa eh chique demais btw
Criminally underrated album. Two songs apart from being a perfect album. Weirdness is an asset.
Intresting album with a lot of diversity, a vocalist with a unique voice and a supervillian looking band member. Not all song where amazingly intresting but overall an album i enjoyed listening to a lot. Not sure exacly where to rate it but its seems to me this album is either copying a lot from influencial artists or is the source of it because for some reason i can hear its inspirations in other places. First kind of glamrock album i actualy like. Id say i would rate it a 3.5
Very interesting and unique record. Energetic, entertaining and exciting. Definitely will add songs like: "this town aint big enough for both of us" & "amateur hour" to my playlists. Solid 4
It is a genuine joy to listen to this. It feels like ABBA but then just a bit more funky and experimental. Especially the opening tracks really pull me in with some good pop.
This Town Ain’t Big Enough For Both Of Us // Amateur Hour // Here In Heaven // Thank God It’s Not Christmas // Equator //
147/1001 :: Sparks - Kimono My House Heard before? ❌ Would I revisit? ➖ Rating: 7 Listen before you die: Yes When I opened this up to see 1974 and Alternative eye brows were instantly raised. And turns out this album was way ahead of its time. Frankly I’m really getting The Last Dinner Party vibes when I listen to this which is awesome. Very theatrical, lots of big beats with flashy guitar work bouncy vocals. I didn’t realize albums like this existed in 1974 and it’s perfect for this 1001 albums project. Not sure I’ll come back to this but either way I thought it was great.
# In-depth Review: *Kimono My House* (1974) – Sparks ## 1. Context & Line-up - Recorded in London after brothers Ron & Russell Mael left L.A. and recruited three British players: Adrian Fisher (guitar), Martin Gordon (Rickenbacker bass) and drummer Norman "Dinky" Diamond. - Produced by Muff Winwood (brother of Steve) who kept the tracks lean, loud and radio-ready; no orchestral overdubs, just pounding rhythm section + Ron’s electric piano/guitar. - Released May 1974 on Island; peaked UK #4, US #101, quickly went gold and turned Sparks into overnight glam-era heroes . --- ## 2. Lyrics – The Mael Cartoon-Noir Universe Ron Mael writes miniature screen-plays delivered by Russell’s helium falsetto; subjects are almost never "boy-loves-girl". | Track | What it’s actually about (spoiler) | Signature lines | |-------|------------------------------------|-----------------| | *This Town Ain’t Big Enough…* | Spaghetti-western duel re-cast as romantic turf-war | "This town ain’t big enough for both of us – and it ain’t me who’s gonna leave!" | | *Amateur Hour* | Talent-show as sexual initiation | "It’s amateur hour for the next five years… please, no encores tonight." | | *Talent Is An Asset* | Albert Einstein re-imagined as pushy stage-mom prodigy | "Mother cried, ‘Albert, Albert, talent is an asset – use it!’" | | *Here In Heaven* | Dark comedy: guy commits double-suicide, girl doesn’t show up | "Here in heaven, I’m bored – this place is not as advertised." | | *Hasta Mañana, Monsieur* | Clueless tourist murders French grammar (and possibly the girl) | "One, two, three, four, five, six, seven – eight languages I’m fluent in – well, almost." | **Techniques**: rapid internal rhyme, faux-operatic dialogue, pop-culture puns, gender-fluid point-of-view. The humour is Brechtian: you’re invited to laugh, then feel slightly implicated . --- ## 3. Music – Baroque-Pop Meets Glam-Rock - **Melody**: Ron’s tunes are instantly hummable but stuffed with octave jumps, sudden diminished chords, unexpected half-time bridges – "catchy" and "proggy" at once . - **Rhythm**: 160-180 BPM on most tracks; drummer Diamond plays Keith-Moon-style triplet fills that keep the momentum theatrical rather than heavy . - **Guitar**: Adrian Fisher’s Les Paul provides trebly, descending riffs that influenced Nirvana (*Love Buzz* copped the *Kimono* riff) . Unfortunately the mix buries him a touch – one frequent criticism . - **Keyboards**: Ron’s RMI Electra-Piano supplies a harsh, clav-like stab that functions as second guitar; he doubles bass lines an octave up, creating the album’s "harpsichord-on-speed" texture . - **Harmony**: frequent minor-to-major flips (e.g., bridge of *Amateur Hour*) that make sing-along hooks feel unstable – a perfect mirror of the sarcastic lyrics. --- ## 4. Production – Muff Winwood’s Glitter-Chamber - Eight-track analogue, recorded basically live; minimal overdubs. - Vocals are slammed to the front with slap-back echo – Russell’s falsetto becomes another piercing instrument. - Drums are single-miked, giving a tight "cardboard-box" thud that keeps clarity at high tempo. - No strings, no synths – the "orchestral" feel comes from layered backing vocals and Ron’s arpeggiated piano, proving you can sound lavish without luxury . --- ## 5. Themes 1. **Performance vs. Authenticity** – talent contests, amateur hours, acting awards; every song is a mask. 2. **Competition & Conquest** – western showdowns, academic rivalry, sperm racing to the egg (*Tryouts for the Human Race*). 3. **Sex as Farce** – seduction treated like vaudeville; desire is ridiculous but irresistible. 4. **Americana seen through foreign eyes** – sung by Californians, arranged like British music-hall on amphetamines. --- ## 6. Influence & Legacy - Immediate: paved the way for *Propaganda* & *Indiscreet*, and helped establish Island Records’ art-glam roster (Roxy, Queen, Be-Bop Deluxe). - Long-term: – Kurt Cobain quoted the guitar hook (*Love Buzz*) . – Morrissey curated the Mael brothers to reform for 2004 Meltdown Festival citing *Kimono* as blueprint. – Franz Ferdinand, Sparks later formed FFS super-group; Alex Kapranos calls *Kimono* "the Michelin guide to Brit-pop" . – Depeche Mode, Faith No More, Björk, Siouxsie, Erasure all name-check the album . - Critical: *NME* 1974 headline "An Instant Classic"; *Pitchfork* 9.2 retrospective; appears in *1001 Albums You Must Hear…*. --- ## 7. Pros ✅ Ten songs, zero filler – every track has a distinct hook & concept. ✅ Lyrics that reward repeat reading; comedy that ages into satire. ✅ Unique sonic signature: harpsichord-piano + falsetto + glam-guitar at 170 BPM. ✅ Production still sounds fresh – no dated synths or orchestral mush. ✅ Compact (34 min) – the whole narrative arc flies by like a stage revue. --- ## 8. Cons ❌ Russell’s falsetto is an acquired taste; some listeners never acclimate. ❌ Guitar enthusiast complaint: Adrian Fisher’s tone is great but mixed too low . ❌ Song structures can feel theatrical-to-the-point-of-camp; if you demand earnestness you’ll bounce off. ❌ No ballad respite – constant high-energy can be exhausting in one sitting. ❌ Because of its stylised artifice, emotional depth is only hinted at (you get cleverness first, heart second – if at all). --- ## 9. One-Sentence Verdict *Kimono My House* is a manic, high-IQ pop opera that compresses Broadway, glam, and New Wave into 34 minutes of whip-smart hooks – still the Rosetta Stone for anyone who thinks pop music can be both stupidly catchy and frighteningly clever.
Kinda wild. i liked it
3.75
Fun and weird.
7/10. But the oddness has me feeling generous
Great! Confused as to who Sparks actually are but Fred and I liked it.
wow questo era davvero strano e inaspettato
Obligada escucha para una banda tan nombrada como desconocida salvo para unos pocos. Este puede ser su mejor álbum. Canciones no le faltan. Como ese glam con estilo que es Thank God It's Not Christmas. La inicial This Town Ain't Big Enough For Both Of Us ya marca el tono. Glamour rock Opera de todo un poco y bien armado. Amateur Hour es muy buena. Tarareable. Antecedente para Blondie o los Cars. Falling In Love With Myself Again es una extraña canción a ritmo de vals que a mi no termina de gustarme pero encaja el disco. Como Here in heaven que explica perfectamente porqué llegaron hasta Franz Ferdinand. Hasta Mañana, Monsieur y Talent Is An Asset vuelven a retomar melodías y guitarras con acierto. Desde luego no tenía a Sparks por unos referentes para Queen pero queda bien claro aquí. Y para la New Wave y para tantas cosas. Musica exquisita o para oídos exigentes? Eso tiene fácil arreglo. Basta con darle al play.
1. First song of the album gives the very mood of the album. The instrumentals are so good I can't really describe it. Vocals are on point and sets the feeling of the song. I feel intrigued to continue listening the album. Good start for album. 8/10 2. I really like the instrumentals in this album. Energetic and feeling of rise 7/10 3. Great starting with drums, kinda wakes you up after amateur hour. The name of the song speaks for itself, feels romantic in some strange way I can't really describe. I love the bass))) 7/10 4. I totally love the energy of this song. The vocal here stands out in a very good way. Guitar work here blends well with good vocals. 9/10 5. Feels like an old-fashioned song in a good way, I don't particularly dislike, but feels different like this song stands out from others as it sounds very odd, has a strange energy. 6/10 6. Good hit with guitar. Now it feels like we returned back into energy. The good thing about this song is instrumentals, band works very good with instruments. 7/10 7. I like the rhythm of this one, feel great, makes me want to step with foot on rhythm. 8/10 8. Feels like it took rhythm of previous one and spinned it around, I don't how else to describe it. 7/10 9. Somehow doesn't spark any emotion in me, I dunno, I don't like this one. 5/10 10. Good vocal work, solid song here. 6/10 11. This feels like "Equator" but with different energy of kind. Still solid song. 6/10 12. Last song here. Good ending for the album, really contrast first songs, it remains energy of the song while finalizing the feeling of it. 8/10 Overall 8.4/10. Good album, liked it. Not the best I listened, not the genre I like but I appreciate how good it is written
I've heard a lot about this band in the last few years, but not the music itself until today. I liked it and would listen to it again.
It’s nice to finally get a weird album that’s actually listenable. These guys sound like Supertramp if they were kicked repeatedly in the balls. There are points where it feels like too much and a lot of the album is a bit monotonous. But there is a lot of fun in the chaotic melodies. Certainly one of the most memorable glam bands in the 70’s since Roxy Music. Favorite track: Amateur Hour Other hits: This Town Ain’t Big Enough For Both of Us, Here in Heaven, Thank God It’s Not Christmas, Talent Is An Asset, Falling in Love With Myself Again
Super innovative, operatic, wouldn’t play again but the effort is respected
Бодренько так. И хотя голос у солиста не самый приятный, альбом звучит довольно-таки интересно. 6,5 из 10.
Glam rock with a Captain Beefheart weirdness. The songs are great and reminiscent of T Rex and David Bowie.
This is a great record and I need to hear more.
<3
Fun pop with Asian influence.
More fun than I was expecting
Ok obviously we fucking love this one. Can’t believe this is my first album recommended to me. We love sparks in this household. This album is just so odd. So operatic. So camp. So drama. I adore it. 3.5/5.
sheer genius
I liked this! Seems very ahead of its time! I bet it’s considered glam rock but it bent new wavy to me. Humorous and sharp
This rocks. I did not expect glam from this period and would have guessed this was made 10 years later if I did not know. Campy, great lyrics, funny, cynical.
Interesting. Id like to hear more from them
Weird but very enjoyable, really liked Equator
Weird. Still weird. I listened to this album quite a bit in high school. For some reason in the small town I grew up in the far north, where T.Rex ruled the local airwaves, it didn’t seem a far stretch for Sparks, the weirdo sibling duo, to fit in with the glam rock of the day. I honestly thought they were English. I was a mere lad of 14 when this came out and I recall Thank God It’s Not Christmas coming out right around Christmas as an irony burger with the line Thank God it’s not Christmas where there is only you and nothing else to do … at that time I was ready for weird. The guitar playing on this record was also pretty spectacular. Adrian Fraser has a pretty great tone on this record. The first 7 songs on this record are gold. It’s when you hit Complaints that it’s a little rough sledding to the end. What is amazing to me is that this record holds up pretty well 52 years later. I admit that I was a Sparks fan up until the disco years when they shifted to disco inflected synth pop. But, the Halfnelson record, A Woofer In Tweeter’s Clothing, Kimono My House, Propaganda and Indiscreet were a pretty good run of records. Punk rock and 1976 had a huge influence on my listening tastes and Big Beat was the last Sparks record I bought coming out in October 1976. Now that I’ve taken a detour, In My Family is the best of the end of the record. I never quite enjoyed the last three tracks. It was a case of playing all of side 1 and then the first two tracks of Side 2 (Hasta Mañana, Monsieur and Talent is an Asset) and then picking up the needle and pkaying something else. It’s not that Complaints and Equator are terrible. They are not. They were just not as interesting or catchy. So, were do we stand - not perfect as an album, but very few records are. Is it undoubtedly a great album still. Is it also still weird, which is perfect.
Fun 70s glam rock. "This Town Ain't Big Enough For Both Of Us" is a banger.
I really love everything this band stands for. They’re fun, witty, quirky, artsy, poppy—you name it, the list goes on. They’ve been remarkably consistent over the years, and I love that they’re still going strong. Even though they were part of the glam rock scene, they’ve never been the glamorous type. They’ve always carved out their own path, existing in their own world, and just kept doing their thing.
Great album, including two great singles, but the record is littered with fantastic pop songs
Good theatrical fun. I'm rating this after just one full listen, so I actually wouldn't be surprised if my rating went up on relisten. It's a 4 first time round though.
have you watched Annette, the Sparks musical starring Adam Driver? it rules
1974, huh? Seems ahead of its time. Complexity and pop can be friends. Theatricality, glammy, challenging, intriguing. I don't recall this and am loving it.
I’ve always loved Sparks - they’re still churning out crazy, whimsical. Quirky tunes. Russell and Ron - you can always Kimono-va to my place.
This is so good on so many levels, but it's almost too full of ideas. I hit a saturation point and need to come up for air. But what a wild and interesting and odd effort. Wildly deserving of inclusion and exposure.
I enjoyed this so much. Before the start of each song I was excited to hear what would be unwrapped.
Pretty good
That was fun
I had SO much fun listening to this!!!! 4.5 ⭐
Opens with a hell of a bop. Overall fun album.
Fun album. Have to concentrate more to catch the lyrics.
My first Sparks album. Knew *of* them but hadn't heard much *from* them. Almost has a Siouxsie and the Banshees flavor to it - you can see a few roots of that sound here, anyway (since this precedes Siouxsie by ~5 years). Some tracks also clearly are some small part of the substrate from which Jack Stauber emerged (Talent is an Asset). Strange, carnival-tent, tasty. I REALLY enjoyed this one - scratched all the right places in my brain. Would absolutely spin again.
Labai keistai visos dainis girdėtos, melodijos atkartotos. Šiaip linksmas pasiklausymas.
Some pretty good bangers! Top songs: "Falling in Love Again" "Thank God it's Not Christmas" "Here in Heaven" Favorite lyrics, tie: "There I'll spend the night/Meeting fancy things/At bistros and old haunts/Trying very hard to sin" "Dear, do you often think of me/As you overlook the sea?/ Do I qualify as dearly departed or am I, that sucker in the sky? The fall guy for the first and the last time! "Juliet, I thought we had agreed/Now I know why you let me take the lead""
4.0 - Very Good
214/1089 - Very Geddy Lee-esque vocals. Kinda cool. I liked the different song types and ideas throughout but the stagnant vocals wore me down. I've noticed I've been less descriptive in my reviews over the last few weeks. Idk if it's laziness or shifting priorities or a change in how I view things or all of the above. We'll see what happens in the future.
Glam-pop, I guess. Not quite glam-rock in the traditional sense...or maybe it is, but it certainly caters towards a more pop audience. That doesn't change the fact that it trumps many other albums in the genre. I'd say it's mainly due to just how tight the song structures and core melodies are. Russell Mael's falsetto driving almost every song here never got tired, and he's just great at writing these incredible, pillowy lead melodies - my favorites being the ones on 'Falling In Love with Myself Again' and the opener 'The Town Ain't Big Enough for the Both of Us'. That 'Equator' chorus is gonna be stuck in my head for a while as well...I just know it. He's a comical guy, too, just dive into the twisted yearnings of a song like 'Thank God it's Not Christmas'. Or the blatantly ignorant remarks of 'Hasta Manana Monsieur' and the endless Einstein puns of 'Talent is An Asset'. These are unconventional song topics and lyrics; they kept me engaged. I'd say the vocals and lyrics were without a doubt the best part of this album, which is saying a lot. The backing music here is dramatic, just how I like it, and it sounds larger than life on many songs - I love the way the 60s-styled wall of sound swoops in on a song like 'Here in Heaven', or the way the cutesy piano line complements the vocals on 'Talent is An Asset'. One of the better Glam Rock albums I've heard in a while. I appreciate just how humorous, sarcastic, and unserious it can be at times. And musically, it managed to keep me interested till the very end.
Je adore! I thought they were British when I first started listening to them at the intro of my prog rock lovin friend Whit’s suggestion. He introduced me to a lot of really cool music cough* the fall, beat happening, os mutantes and more. We still listen to a lot of sparks. They have an impressive catalog of music and this is a great example of the early years. Thanks Sparks Mael bros and thank you Whit!
Best Song: This Town Ain't Big Enough for Both of Us Strangely, I enjoyed this more than I ever would have thought that I would. Now, that being said, this is weird, theatrical, and not my cup of tea. I wouldn't listen to it again but also wouldn't fault anyone's taste that would.
3.5
not bad, a surprise
This album actually really reminded me of Queen. Sounded good. Was fun. Songs differed. Cool album that I otherwise probably would have never heard of.
Love Sparks, but the sameness of their songs begins to wear on me with a whole album. That said, the songs are ALWAYS interesting. Going with 4, but it's probably closer to 4.5 for me.
pretty funny
Very unique. A lot of different things going on. Wild. Stand out songs - Talent is an asset, Equator
Wow, that was a trip. Did not expect to like this but the music spoke louder than my preconceptions.
Track 1 - This Town Ain't Big Enough For Both of Us really like the drums/guitar, vocals/keyboard are good/ok, little long 6/10 Track 2 - Amateur Hour like the keyboard/drums/vocals 8/10 Track 3 - Falling In Love Again carnival sound, really like this one, kinda reminds me of tally hall 9/10 Track 4 - Here in Heaven nice falsetto, guitar goes a little crazy in this one, this one is hard to beat 10/10 Track 5 - Thank God it's Not Christmas based on first 30 secs and title you would think its a Blink 182 song, nice solo, overall solid, ends very bedroom pop kinda 7/10 Track 6 - Hasta Manana, Monsieur similar to other songs but I still like it 5/10 Track 7 - Talent is an Asset they really like clapping in their songs, sounds like the intro to an older buddy movie, still like the song a lot 8/10 Track 8 - Complaints pretty good 6/10 Track 9 - In My Family 5/10 Track 10 - Equator 4/10 Track 11 - Barbecutie like the bassline a lot just wish they kept it throughout 6/10 Track 12 - Lost and Found this one is good 7/10
I think I really quite enjoyed this. Only know the first track from the Faith No More collab as well
This a lot of fun. The lyrics are mad. The tunes are mad. The sound is very 70s rock. My dad likes it. My wife likes it. This town ain't big enough is awesome! Very happy to listen to this today.
Look up 'Sparks' in the Oxford English dictionary and what does it say? 1. Small shooting flames generated by a fire or friction. 2 The opposite of bland. As a 6 or 7 year old watching Top Of The Pops or seeing their picture anywhere Ron scared me shitless. 'This Town Ain't Big Enough For The Both of Us' is by equal measure preposterous and magnificent. It sounds better now than when I first heard it 50 years ago. 'Amateur Hour" is great too. And the rest of the album, most of which I have never heard before, does not disappoint. At times they could be Franz Ferdinand, the tight pop guitar structure is there, but they are so much weirder. It's no wonder FF worked with them years later, I can here them in 'Thank God it's Not Christmas' and loads of others. Somehow the energetic madness becomes a bit samey on the last few tracks but the brillant opener gets a star on its own, maybe two. And finally, for about 40 years, I thought they were German! Early impressions and that tash.
Die Sparks waren für mich in den 70ern ein one hit wonder, meinetwegen auch two hits. Mehr oder weniger bei mir vergessen. Bis jetzt. Das Anhören hat sich gelohnt.
Thoughts before listening: Long running underground weirdo rock band that came out of the punk/new wave scene of the late 70s/early 80s. I think thats the general idea with these guys. They have gotten some recent press, maybe because of a new album or something, so thats the main reason I have a point of reference for them. I know people love this album, but I feel like I've tried it before and wasn't into it. Review: You know what? This isn't as weird as I thought it was going to be. If anything, its a very poppy take on the glam rock bands of the mid-70s. I am hearing lots of Queen and David Bowie influence in these songs, with lots of theatricality in the performances and arrangements. I'm adding nearly the entire first half of this album to my playlist and this gets 4-stars
Fabulously weird album. Loved the chaos and the mix of instruments and sounds.
Quite the hidden gem. 8/10
It was fun that was really accomplished whilst not taking itself seriously. I think it will only grow in appreciation with each listen.
I love how weird this is, fun, glam that stays away from Slade-esque silliness. Quite edgy elements under the humour and faultless and almost unbelievable falsetto. Might go to a 4!
Unique and highly entertaining.
Saw Sparks in Manchester recently and they were amazing. This album remains a landmark moment not only in Sparks’ eclectic catalog but in the evolution of glam and experimental pop. It’s no surprise it continues to influence artists who admire theatrical flair and fearless originality. If you haven't heard it yet, it’s like stepping into a surreal cabaret performed by geniuses in vintage tuxedos and ironic expressions. A glam rock essential!
Fun Glam-ish rock from the Sparks brothers.
Weird and fun
Grata sorpresa.
Once you get past the yelpy falsetto, there’s a lot to love about this.
Nice
I like this one! Great Glam Rock with a lot of character. 90/100
I really love everything this band stands for. They’re fun, witty, quirky, artsy, poppy—you name it, the list goes on. They’ve been remarkably consistent over the years, and I love that they’re still going strong. Even though they were part of the glam rock scene, they’ve never been the glamorous type. They’ve always carved out their own path, existing in their own world, and just kept doing their thing.
Interesting
A quirky and eclectic take on glam rock by a band that have deserved their place in the list.
And here is where Sparks formally introduce themselves. The expats had their blend of glam rock upon a world still feasting for more and were thusly rewarded with admiration that never wavered amongst the diehards. From its immediately intriguing album cover to the arresting compositions to the yin-yang chemistry of the Brothers Mael, Kimono My House is worthy of its classic designation. Favorites: This Town Ain't Big Enough for Both of Us, Amateur Hour, Here in Heaven, Thank God It's Not Christmas, Talent is an Asset, Complaints, In My Family, Barbecutie.
great early record from a quality, unique duo
Hieno ja kivasti outo! 4/5
Hyvä poprock-pläjäys! riittävän erilainen pysyäkseen kiinnostavana. 4/5
Really love the transgressive art house rock vibe of glam. Never heard of this before, I dig it.
Favorite Track: This Town Ain’t Big Enough For Both Of Us
This album is wild. I didn’t realize glam rock was a thing in 1974. Talent is an Asset is a gem.
First time listened to Sparks album in full, and it's very solid. Love the sound and would've never thought it was released in 1974, sounds more of mid-80s.
So awesome. Weird workout music lol! But just like power pop goodness it’s really awesome glad to listen finally.
Melodic and odd all at the same time!
At best this reminds me of a charged up Supertramp. At worst it reminds me of a charged up Supertramp feat. Meatloaf. The Good outweighs the Too Much though, I think this is weird in the right way, and very good, and I’m glad Sparks is around and on this list.
Haven't heard any Sparks before except this town... always suspected they might be interesting, seemed to have the right amount of quirky but could go either way. Thought this album was great, sounded like a cross between Queen and Cardiacs. Preferred the more punky art rock songs but it had great ideas all the way through. The strangeness would get on my nerves if the songs didn't hold up but they largely did. Think I need a few more listens to get to grips with them but on this first go they are worth the plaudits they get. 4.5.
Falling In Love With Myself Again, This Town Ain't Big Enough For Both Of Us, and Here in Heaven were my favourites. Nice to see a band that don't take themselves seriously. Lovely moustache and dance. Overall, just a really fun group and album - my parents are big fans. Think they've been on a bit of a resurrection since they grouped with Franz Ferdinand a while ago.
A early/mid 70s glam record? Nice! Overall this was an enjoyable experience, the songs were good, the vocals were good, my only real issue was that it’s a bit much to listen to all the way through, for me it’s about a 3.5/5 so I’m deciding now whether to round it up to a 4 or down to a 3
sparks you will always be famous 4.5
This is a hard one. I understand why it's here and I should love it given the fact so many musicians I like cite this album, but I just don't dig it that much. I don't need it for my collection that I know. I want to give it a 3+ because I guess I'm giving it 4 since it will inspire a lot of things I really do adore.
There's really nothing about this album I can get too mad about. I don't think I'll personally go back to it, as it sounds too much like "cabaret" or "show tunes" to me, rather than "glam rock" as I like it. Part of that is the female vocal style, instead of male vocals. However, I can respect it and understand why a lot of people would like it.
A really eclectic ride today as my first real introduction to Sparks. At its best, its like Abba with swagger. At it's worst, it's the hideous closer 'Equator' that I could barely finish. I just can't quite figure out if one cancels out the other. Overall I found it pretty good fun more often than not. Three-quarters of it, I'm happy to listen to again so I guess that makes for a positive impression overall. I was surprised to realise this was a man singing though. He has one very strange singing voice.
Хорошая музыка
Like Queen and Elton John if they got trapped in a fever dream.
Pretty fun
A very cool record. Strong notes of Yes, Queen and Heart. Rad stuff.
At first, I thought I was listening to ABBA, but then I remembered that I had read that this was a dude singing. Anyway, I had no idea what to expect from this record, but I found myself really enjoying it…some of the tunes are quite catchy. This is somewhere between a 3 and a 4 for me, but I will round up to four stars.
Poruka samom sebi :slušaj više ovaj bend
I actually LOVED this album. So much that I listened to more of the Sparks. It’s hard not to have mad appreciation for a band that I feel like paved the way for bands like Queen. Fringe 3-4 but a 3 is a disservice imo
Was not going to listen at first considering the groups reviews but I'm glad I did. I love the circus feel this album brings, fun is the best way I can describe it. The guitar sounds on "Thank God It's Not Christmas", rips. It's a cut, but they remind me a little of Arcade Fire, just a little! Wrap it up with a live performance at their prime, I liked it.
1. This Town Ain't Big Enough For Both of Us - 7.8/10 2. Amateur House - 8/10 3. Falling in Love with Myself Again - 7/10 4. Here in Heaven - 6/10 5. Thank God It's Not Christmas - 7.4/10 6. Hasta Mañana, Monsieur - 8/10 7. Talent Is An Asset - 8/10 8. Complaints - 8/10 9. In My Family - 8/10 10. Equator - 8/10 11. Barbecutie - 8/10 12. Lost and Found - 8/10 13. Amateur Hour - :( 8/10
#584. Delightfully strange. I liked it, but at the same time it's probably not something that I'll listen to again. 4/5: neat
75/100
A beautifully dramatic perfomance from a band thqt theatre and humour as well as musicianship are the touchstones. This is what Queen would sound like if I liked Queen. This Town ain't Big Enough for the Both of Us, is the song that I've known and loved but there are other wonderful songs like Amateur Hour, which was also a minor hit and Here In Heaven to name a couple. 4 stars
the heavy rock that was developing in the 70s mixed with the folk flute of the 60s makes for a wild combo that's so progressive for its time and really worked for this album. Definitely an album id like to revisit in the future and listen to on headphones.
Utterly unique and a big inspiration for Queen. I’ll never forget when I first heard this record and I thought “this sounds a lot like Weird Al’s ‘Virus Alert’”. Sure enough, Weird Al honored Sparks with a stylistic parody of the band's idiosyncratic sound. Even if their music isn't my favorite thing to hear, the Mael brothers are cool dudes whom I'll always admire.
Curious that I listened to this album a couple of days ago. Was a real surprise to hear such art-prog / art-rock album from 1974 that I did not know about. Actually an excellent album
If I just heard this on the radio, I'd have sworn this was a Siouxie and the Banshees album. I had no idea Siouxie had a predecessor in style and sound, I just thought of her as completely original. The more you listen, the more you find these stepping stones and pre-cursors that show how music evolves rather than popping out of a solo creative genius. Another tip o' the hat to the 1001 albums project for getting me to hear something so eye opening.
Hmm I was not expecting to enjoy this as much as I did
Theatrical and bombastic and quirky without being gimmicky. An all-time alt-pop-glam-rock classic.
It's a good album, though not really my style of music. There's one song in particular that is very pleasant to listen, the most popular one in the whole album. I'm generally not disappointed though, originally I was thinking females voices were singing, as well as it takes curiosity to notice that the japanese girls on the album are both men. Funny.
This is a pretty fun and playful album. Lives somewhere between Cheap Trick and The Dickies. 3.5/4
Really dug this one. It's like glam rock + Cardiacs songwriting. Engaging and quirky, but still has hooks. 4/5
I had previously only heard the first song on this album, overall I thought it was a good album, not really my kind of music, but still happy to listen to it.
Very strange. Loved the range if vocals and so many sounds. Seems very unique for 1974. Lots of similar sounds to some of the bands I love across the 60s, 70s and 80s. One I think I will revisit for sure!
I originally gave this a 10/10 but changed my rating as I lost interest in listening to it but I still think this albums really good. Imo glam rock is a hard genre to pull of well and Sparks definitely does it well. 8/10 Favourite: This Town Ain't Big Enough For Both of Us Least Favourite: In My Family
Absolutely chaotic and not my typical jam but I couldn't help but like it
Sometimes crunchy and frantic, sometimes playful. Not too serious
This is a weird one! It’s shrill and artsy, but it’s also fundamentally pop music. Gonna rate this a 4 because these dudes are just plain fun, and because this is pretty far out for 1974. Also ‘Amateur Hour’ is a great song.
Sparks is so clever and funky and cool - it blows my mind that this is from 1974!! A very creative album, and I had a lot of fun listening to it.
Excellent pop songs with an element of glam rock, at times there's an ABBA feel to them. Enjoyed the record start to finish with the first song being the stand out
Now THIS is what "weird music" should be. Sparks are a band that I knew basically nothing about prior to listening to their acclaimed 1974 album Kimono My House. All I really knew was that Weird Al's "Virus Alert" was a style parody of their music. I think this is the first time I've mentioned Weird Al in an album review. I love that man. This Sparks album is pretty cool too, I guess. The music here is good! I'll start with the one thing that I'm conflicted on; the vocals. Russel Mael has a very distinct vocal style. He kind of sounds like a cross-breed between Geddy Lee, David Byrne, and a woman, with a hint of Mark Mothersbaugh. In fact, if there's anything I've heard that I could compare this album to, it would be Devo. Honestly though? I think I prefer this. Oh yeah, I think the vocals fit the music very well. The overall musicianship is solid too. These guys aren't like virtuosos or anything, but they definitely know what they're doing. I mean, just look at Ron Mael's face when performing. That man is locked in. The writing might be my favorite part of the album. It's quirky, but still meaningful in a way, with plenty of variety to boot. It's kind of like Talking Heads in a way, which I am always okay with. Overall, I can see why someone might not like this it. That person is not me though. I happen to really like my first impression of Sparks. I think they're pretty cool! Light 4/5.
3.5
This is exactly the kind of stuff I was hoping to find with this challenge. Hadn’t heard of this before but that was a lot of fun.
fun listen, flows pretty well
It's sort of like a full album of Virginia Plain which sounds like a lot of fun but can be a bit exhausting to my ears. However, when I focused in on the lyrics rather than the slightly strained falsetto it did become a lot more fun.
The cooler ABBA
Sounds like ABBA on amphetamines. Surprisingly good!
So much energy and fun.
I'm not sure how to evaluate this one, I generally liked it but wasn't able to figure out a rating. I'm listening to it again right now and I still like it, but I feel like in five years I'll come back to this album and love it. I'm rating it 4 stars for now- sorry, future self. Favorite track: "Equator," but that's probably because the Severance season 2 finale just came out and it had a line about meeting at the equator.
Discovered this band a little while ago, and really like their energy.
I can hear Bowie a lot in this record. Frog Eyes as well. Zany!!
really fun album that sounded like the cousin of Queen
this was really fun to listen to, i really enjoyed it, would listen again
I'd never heard of Sparks until seeing trailers for that documentary. But looking them up, there's a lot of favorite artist's favorite album energy going for this one. I need to watch that doc now - Kimono My House is so fun!
Love the classic song This Town Ain't Big Enough For The Both Of Us, as well as Amateur Hour and Hasta Manana Monsieur. Overall a good album.
Don't know if I'd buy it or listen to it on my own unprompted but it is crazy how far ahead of its time this sounds. It's like at least 5 years ahead.
It's labeled as glam but I got a lot of 70's prog vibes. It actually went really hard but ended with a thud
I enjoyed listening to this album. It has a grooving vibe that is easy to get into. I had never listened to the Sparks before.
This album absolutely kicks ass. Especially in the first half. The energy on this very welcome as it’s silly and so much fun. It’s my first exposure to “glam” aesthetics (outside of David Bowie, of course) and it has certainly left enough of an impression on me to want to find out more about this era/sub genre of rock. Current acts today like Last Dinner Party are heavily inspired by this sound and are among some of my favorite current artists, so no surprise here that I enjoyed it as much as I did.
This was definitely interesting despite me never even hearing of the band before. Would be back to listen again!
first listen i liked this a lot and imma have to do a deep dive
Strangely surprised
a very bright and creative offering that still is fairly avant garde today despite being created in the 70s. Definitely want to listen to this band more.
From the moments I heard the first few seconds of the first song I knew I’m gonna hate it. But then I listened some more. This sure is some quirky artsy rock of the type this list absolutely loves. But this one actually works! We got weird quasi-operatic vocals, polyrhythmic keyboards and yes-like bass, but it all forms together to a cohesive whole. This album is fun, emotional and exciting while being downright weird and that’s beautiful.
I’ve been looking forward to a Sparks album popping up on the list, and this one did not disappoint. "This Town Ain’t Big Enough for Both of Us" kicks things off with a bang. It’s dramatic, theatrical, and easily one of the strongest songs in Sparks’ entire catalog. That falsetto? Iconic. After a full listen, I can confidently say this album is pure glam rock fun. It’s not weighed down by deep meaning or heavy themes, but that’s part of the charm—it’s an effortlessly enjoyable listen. Every track bursts with eccentric energy and quirky melodies. Favorite song: This Town Ain’t Big Enough for Both of Us Least favorite song: Nothing stood out as bad Album artwork: Funky and fitting for the music
super enjoyable pop rock
Glam-rock with artful value
So much fun
I don’t really like this but by god I respect it
Fun and eclectic. Quite enjoyable.
An eccentric take on pop. Good times
This was fun and manic and weird.
This was an interesting, glammy album that did not take itself seriously and I am all for it. Stand-out: Falling in Love with Myself Again
I've really come round to Sparks in the last couple of years, and it's nice to finally visit the album which This Town Ain't Big Enough for Both of Us came out on. Big sounds here, pretty maximalist. Glam is the word people use, but this doesn't feel like the kitsch of glam rock, it feels to me more like deliberate art. Nice.
I try to be critical of these albums, but it’s hard when you make something this weird and fun. Excellent songs, just a great time all around. I’m gonna have given 500 of these albums a four or five when I’m done with this.. geez
At first I had my doubts but as I got deeper the music got better. This is actually quite good!
Feels like a hidden gem of sorts. Sparks not getting their due.
This caught me off guard. Never heard this band before and was pleasantly surprised, aside from Equator which went on too long and got super annoying.
Glorious glam baroque pop that was way ahead of its time. Complex and rewarding.
Love it. Some truly stunning moments on here, really infectious vibes. Thank God it’s Not Christmas is a favorite. Can’t wait to listen to more Sparks.
Like, quite good! Hidden gem for me, but their other albums are a bit better.
did noty enjoy
very good
A favorite of mine for a while. I scored this one on vinyl early on in my vinyl collecting, and it became a default favorite. Fun and funny, and great songs.
An album I can’t argue with being in this list. A delight. It’s only been the past few years that I’ve heard Sparks. But they rock.
3.8 - Thought this was gonna fall off after the first song but actually quite fun
So surprised I liked this so much. Campy and cheesy but so much fun. Fave Tracks: This Town Ain’t Big Enough for the Both of Us Here In Heaven Equator 4.1/5
# Playlist track - This Town Ain't Big Enough for Both of Us # Notes - A wonderfully strange and fun album. - It sounds like some early glam rock + pop mix. It's a bit *too* weird at times, but I really dig it. - There are interesting sounds in pretty much every track, and discovering them for the first time was a really joyful thing. Also, the singer is a dude? LOL! - Had never heard about Sparks before. Nice recommendation! I'm looking forward to hear other albums.
Before I listen to this I just want to say that it’s very silly that I got the album with Thank God It’s Not Christmas on literal Christmas Day. This is a fun album, but I don’t love it. I feel like this is a 4 from those traits. That’s the end.
This is a very fun album that doesn't take itself seriously at all. A couple of standouts but not a no skip. Standouts: This town ain't big enough, hasta mañana, thank God it's not christmas
First track is a banger of course. It's so fun to discover bands like this. Really fun, original rock.
Ok. Now I know where Chappell Roan came from.
Kimono My House? Wohl eher Kimono my fucking goodness het das Album spass gmacht! Und so viel Spass wies zum lose gmacht het, so Spass muss es au mache ih sonere Band zsii, sich kei Regle zsetze und mal nach em Tagesgfühl druflos zspiele. Spassspassspassspassspassspassspass! Vier lachendi Timonos für die spassige Funke
4.5 more accurately .
Decent enough if you like psychedelic rock with falsetto vocals. Some hits, some misses for me but not bad at all. 3.5 really as it's got some interesting things going on.
Great surprise. Had never heard of this band but this is a very high energy, fun, glam rock record!
Really like the eclectic vibes!
Really enjoyed this one. TTABEFTBOU is a classic but the rest of the album definitely holds its own.
Crazy album. Ten seconds in I was already to call it a day and turn it off. But I want to be true to the experience and kept listening. Glad I did. What a completely strange, unique experience. Crazy since it was released in 1974, definitely not representative of the music at the time. And after reading their bio and finding that Sparks is composed of two brothers? Mind blown.
A Glam and Prog Pop mix. Odd vocals, but is catchy. Give it 4 stars, as it surprised me.
weird and cheesy and fun 4s? Time will tell.
Early Queen meets T-Rex meets Rocky Horror. Likely an influence on Kate Bush, Gaga, Chappell Roan Music for theater kids
Back when men dressed like real men
This list ain't big enough for the both of us.
Yeah this was good! You forgot that Sparks have some psuedo-hits
Interesting and they said it was an influence on Queen
Weird, unique, different, fun - I haven't heard about this band before but this is an excellent glam rock album. Island records released so many great albums in the late 60s and 70s, anything they released at that time simply can't be wrong.
I've known of Sparks for a while now, but never listened. I wasn't even sure what type of music they played. It reminds me of certain types of queen songs but pushed through an indie rock lens. Very cool actually and I'll be coming back.
Album 572 of 1001 Sparks - Kimono My House (1974) Rating : 3.5 / 5 I like some good glam rock and this qualifies. A good listen. It is what it is, so don't expect something that will change the world. Fun tracks and some good musicianship. One to hold on to.
3.75
If you don't like Sparks we can't be friends. I listened to every single one of Sparks' 27 or so albums over a period of months ahead of seeing them live finally last year. There's undoubtedly a few duds, but I absolutely do not regret it, and you should do it too.
What a sparking collection of songs. Bought the album after the singles had run through and heard a few other tracks on the radio. Thought it very good at time but have appreciated it more over the years and with it being presented as the latest in the list it is one of the few to get a back to back play. There is plenty to digest.
This was a really interesting, but in a good way. I think a couple songs weren't my favorite so I'd need to relisten. But overall I enjoyed this album!
Not much to comment on, but it is a great listen. I'd give it a 8/10
This album weas, in one word, great fun! I only knew (and loved) This Town Ain't Big Enough for the Both of Us but didn't know the band name, let alone I listened to an album. The album is eclectic, often combining many genres even within one song... there is punk, glam rock (lots), symphonic elements. In some way, it works together well. Good musicianship and great vocals; no bad songs but they're not all of "This Town (...)" level. This album has aged well, after 50 years it sounds fresh. I'm sure The Darkness have listened to this. I will definitely listen again.
Cool album but a little monotonous would listen againto!
Fun, campy, repetitive for some songs (Lost and Found left me with that impression). I liked Amateur Hour. I'd listen through this again, although the songs didn't appear to have much subtlety on first listen.
i fw how theatrical the vocals which is weird cuz i usually hate that this is cool but i'll probably never return to it ever again. this kind of gives me a supertramp vibe for some reason. i think that's why i like it
I was surprised to discover that Sparks are from the U.S., their sound, image and sense of irony is so British or European. Ron Mael has a delightful falsetto - I love singers who simultaneously sound like a man and woman - and the songs are pretty catchy. Musically, they have a great sense of stylish showmanship, playing in-yer-face operatic rock with plenty of changes, intervals and unusual songs/lyrics/subjects. Sparks are quite a fascinating combination of weird and accessible, best demonstated in 'This Town Ain't Big Enough'. My only reservation is their bombastic, schizophrenic nature gets a bit much by the end of the record - it could do with a couple of songs where they keep things sparse or relatively straightforward.
I liked the lyrics and in small doses it was fun but a whole album of male soprano melodrama got a bit much after just a few songs. It was very enjoyable, if a little naff.
My uncle was really into Sparks, I didn't pay much attention to them back then... I should have done, enjoyed this album a lot! Cover artwork photo is great too!
fabulous, spiky, catchy, dramatic pop, bursting with ideas and adventures
Its like Queen would be if they were an Albums band
It’s a bit much but it was fun, singing kind of sucks but I guess that’s what they were going for. Music kinda rocked though
Not for me. I get it, I get the influence. I hate the vocals. I can see why it's on the list, and why it's rated reasonably highly, but not for me.
This is terrific. Of course I remember "This Town Ain't..." on the radio as a kid but reading the lyrics in Spotify they are a riot: "Heartbeat, increasing heartbeat As 20 cannibals have hold of you, they need their protein just like you do" They were an amazing pair on Top of the Pops too. Once seen and never forgotten. The rest of the album is worth listening to - quite ahead of it's time I think. Roxy Music meets 10cc with a sense of fun.
This is a weirdly good album.
Great introduction to a band I’ve never heard much from before. Great album, really enjoyed it.
YMGAGGEDDDD
A little treat on Monday for me.
Fun rock album!
4☆/5 09.01.2024
Really good! Not my favourite kind of music, but still a vibe
I feel like I should hate this but it’s ever so well written and put together. Can’t help but enjoy, on some weird level
Sparks is one of the stand-out bands from the wave of '70s glam rock, in part due to Russell Mael's incredible vocals. The vocals alone would not be enough though, as Ron Mael's pop-oriented songwriting would give borther Russell the hooks he needed to launch Kimono My House into a breakout hit. Sparks' poppy approach to glam rock serves them well, as each song is a fun romp guided by Russell Mael's signature vocal delivery. It certainly borders on being a little too sugary-sweet for my liking, but there's no denying that Ron Mael can write a damn good song. Enjoyable listen.
My new favorite discovery from this list
Weird stuff.. in a great way!
really enjoyable! super fun vibes across the board. nothing particularly stood out for me but the overall impression was a very positive feeling. im not sure if i can formulate any more specific opinion at this time
if i could give this a 4.5 i would
Funky and fun. The guitar in This Town Ain’t Big Enough For Both Of Us reminds me of the Sailor Moon theme song. Would definitely listen to this again.
What a fun album! I don't know what's going on but I am having a good time. I think this will need to be a dedicated relisten where I can read all the lyrics along with it because I didn't have time for that today. Reminded me of Queen in spots. Surprised I liked this as much as I did because it's labelled New Wave and I have yet to love anything in that grouping but very pleasantly surprised. Looking forward to next listen.
Not bad at all!!
Heartbeat! Increasing heartbeat! Mnyah mnyah mnya bwah bwah bwah bwah bwaaaaaaaah! Mee moo mnyah mnyaaah, Mnyah mnyaaah!
kindling
On first listen I really have little idea what to think - it always intrigues me to be introduced to the rare act that has been around forever yet I'm completely unfamiliar with - I think my only familiarity was their video/single with Jane Wiedlin (Go-Gos) when I was a kid. I thought she was part of a new group. This required a second listen - like early Roxy Music with a dab of Queen but more dense...? I don't know how much I love it (yet) but holy hell there's so much musicality here that I think I have to call this a keeper - after just 2 full listens I'm already hearing so much complexity wrapped in a weird package. The vocals are admittedly...off-putting at times ("Equator" especially) with the falsetto but it's mostly mixed low enough that I can get by it. Favourite track: "Thank God It's Not Christmas" least-favourite: "Equator" Gonna keep coming back to this one - always cool to learn a "new" old group - this is *weird AF* and I think I can see this being a keeper. 8/10 4 stars
Unexpected, way more "original" and modern than what I thought, expecially at the beginning. Then it lost some of it's charm along the way, but still quite good overall
I cannot tell you enough how happy I was to see this album pop up. Sparks is the perfect band that never entirely made it but was by far one of the best cult acts yesterday (and today!). This is where it first came together for the Mael brothers. Zoo time is she and you time. Russell spins Ron's words into bombastic vocals. The mid-70s version of the band is grade-A glam. Ron's RMI Electrapiano washed in reverb over top of it all. I discovered this album 20ish years ago in college, and though Number 1 in Heaven is my favorite, I have been a fan of this and them ever since.
Overall, a very pleasant and eccentric listen. Strong songs all over, well executed. Pure fun and entertaining, without being overly slick or mainstream. Highly recommend find from this list!
Relentlessly entertaining and uncompromisingly fun. You will have fun whether you want to or not Torn between 4 and 5
Easy 4/5 if not 5/5. Some David Bowie shit.
Creative and fun, it gets a little stale but is certainly better than some of the threes I've handed out. A lot of the 70s is starting to blur together for me, but I think I'll remember this one for its proto-glam stuff.
Desert island disc?
Sweeet. That first song was stuck in my head all day. Good little album.
God I was worried when I saw the album art. I'll say that it's still not great, but within the realm of 1974 media, it barely even rates as racist. The music, though, is really cool. It's a fun, fast-paced pop album with great female vocals (I'm sorry, I'm now being told that the vocals are done by a dude, and I don't even know what's going on anymore). Really enjoyable album that I might seek out on vinyl 4/5
Very hard to place
A rollicking album of rock theater. Some moments are experimental and weird fun, but the rest is accessible from many musical directions.
4/5
Enjoyed this immensely
So outside of the 1st track I’d never heard this - no idea why it’s all kinds of awesome. Eclectic, funny and just on the right side of glam rock to keep me listening. I always knew that lots of bands mention sparks as an influence and now I know why.
Strange but entertaining.
“This town ain’t big of us for the both of us” is such a cool song. The album is weird humorous sick glam rock. Someone mentioned the word baroque which is so fitting- makes me think of the movie Amadeus with rock. You also hear the influence they will have in other bands and songs to come.
Never really got Sparks. This Town…jarred but on today’s listen it hit different. Loved this album.
i love you Sparks
Another very unique album. It reminds me of a few things - The Cardiacs, Roxy Music... It sounds a bit punky and yet also a bit like the Beatles... but ultimately it sounds like Sparks. I can't say I'm a huge fan - I've never listened to an album of theirs before - but I've watched the Edgar Wright documentary about them, and of course I'm familiar with "This Town Ain't Big Enough For The Both Of Us" which is their best song and is on this record! It's a quirky style of music and sometimes I don't "feel" it and other times it seems like genius and I totally get the vibe. I don't think I can give it a five on first listening but I think it's a grower. 4.5 stars
frekar skemmtilegt. frummynd einhvers konar hyperpopps. 4.
I listened to this entire album thinking this was a female band and was surprised to find it is a duo of brothers. And I have heard about the Sparks brothers because of the more recent album and movie that was released about them. Listening to this, I couldn't help thinking how unique the sound was. This is an interesting album and I ended up liking most of the songs because it really isn't like a lot of other music. And to know this was made in 1974 also blows your mind because it sounds so ahead of its time.
Strong start but got repetitive
Oh Man, I forgot about these guys. Always a fun time
I was recommended this album by a friend, along with a couple other Sparks albums, at the beginning of 2020. A year later the documentary The Sparks Brothers came out, which solidified my admiration for these eclectic minds. I had heard the name and seen some of the album covers before but never gave them a listen for whatever reason. Once I started listening I quickly figured out that the Sparks rabbit hole goes deep, there’s so much music that these two brothers have been at the helm for. Not to mention the endless number of musicians they’ve gone through to help their vision come to fruition for each album. They’re like the art pop Steely Dan. The first time I heard this album I immediately could hear how Sparks influenced artists I’ve loved like Of Montreal. It’s filled with so much creative energy and I love all the twists and turns they make in a single song. I was glad to revisit this under appreciated classic and look forward to continuing the constant digging into their immense catalog. I give this one a 4.5.
I was once on the boardwalk of the Jersey Shore, riding The Zipper. This is a carnival ride where your gondola hangs from an elevated conveyor belt supported by a tall beam in the middle. The conveyor belt moves you from one side to the other, over the top, and then back down to the underside again. The whole conveyor spins from the central beam while the belt is going, and the gondolas swing freely from the conveyor too. From the outside, the circles within loops within circles make a striking visual against the water. However, once locked inside the gondola cage, the rider's experience is much more chaotic. Everything flew out of my pockets (thank goodness for the enclosed cage), and I sprawled out in every direction in an effort to stabilize myself from being thrown about and to pin down my keys, pocket change, and wallet before the G forces weaponized them against me. I was nauseous and couldn't tell up from down; looking out towards the blue-on-blue of the sea-meets-sky did nothing to help. I nervously completed the ride and was able to keep my lunch, but never rode that ride again. This album is the opposite of that. From the outside, it seems chaotic and unmanageable. If you're not scared off at first, you can get inside and find form and function and marvel at the ever-changing directions, and you want to experience it again immediately. "This Town Ain't Big Enough for Both of Us" initiates the listener with a three-minute summary of the entirety of Mr. Bungle's Disco Volante. By the time "Falling in Love with Myself Again" completes, you realize there is plenty of melody here, but to full embrace it, one must recognize and discard their preconceived notions of standard verse-chorus-verse-bridge songwriting. I watched a documentary on Sparks, which was the first I've heard of them. I was impressed then, but still didn't dig deeper until now. One nice thing about this "1001albumsgenerator.com" project is the sheer variety of what you hear; it helps to put each work into a grand perspective, regardless of time. (One bad thing is finding the time to sit with some newfound gems and give additional listens, as there is more to hear tomorrow!!) Already listening for the third time; it keeps my interest without effort. I doubt I'll tire of this one any time soon. A work like this can only happen at the helm of skilled musicians and songwriters; they know what is commonplace and choose to push beyond it. Can't tell if time will shift my 4.5 to a 4 or 5; though inventive and fun upon early listens, it may be too jarring to age well, but I am glad it exists. Submit. Buy the ticket and take the ride. (Just avoid The Zipper.)
This project is yielding so many rewards, and today I was rewarded with learning about Sparks. Upon seeing the cover, I was skeptical, but as I listened and followed along with the lyrics, I had the biggest smile on my face. I've always been drawn to camp, and it was immediately clear that this band is bonkers and wouldn't be out of place amid John Waters, Robert Crumb, Pee-Wee Herman, and Rocky Horror Picture Show. This album is like if Queen and They Might Be Giants had a baby. Bold, glam rock multi-part song structures, witty lyrics and a kitschy attitude. I had to get some help from Wikipedia to even realize it was a man singing, as I tried to process what I was hearing. I'm trying to imagine how this was received when it first came out 50 years ago. I am thoroughly intrigued and look forward to checking out their other work.
Listened to this one before but I think I liked it better this time.
Super fun throughout
I love the inventiveness of the melodies and the falsetto!!
Hey that was actually pretty original and good! Fhat piano was on fire. The singing was pretty great too!
Esta banda es otra sorpresa de esta semana. La primera canción la tengo escuchada de fiestas o de alguna serie o película. Suena post-punk pero con arreglos pop refinados, antes de que el mismo punk existiese. "Falling In Love With Myself Again" tiene un estilo circense. El fantasma del glam ronda por el disco, que es mi despedida de esta semana hasta la próxima.
fun vibe wasn’t expecting that
I started off hating it, then it started to grow on me. By the time I finished, I thought, hey this is pretty alright. Then I started to listen to it a second time and realized that I was enjoying it. Now I think that I might put this on my list of albums to keep in rotation of albums to revisit now and again.
This is something alright.
Well this was a delightful surprise. I had no idea what to expect and I was afraid it might venture off into the “too weird” realm, but it was so fresh and enjoyable. A great Sunday Funday soundtrack!
This album is weird, it’s fun and it’s infectious. It is a little front heavy, though. It drags a little after the first four tracks, except for Talent is an Asset, Equator and Lost and Found. Four reserves stars
Whimsical, artsy rock. Liked it more than I initially expected
I only really got into Sparks around the time of their most recent album, but better late than never. They seem to me like the archetype of a band that has always, unequivocally, done their own weird thing, whether or not it aligns with current trends or commercial success. And that should be applauded, no? I don’t know if this album is their best as I haven’t listened to most of them, but it’s pretty great - amusing lyrics and hooks aplenty. It also contains their biggest hit, which still sounds unique to this day. 4 / 4.5
Really sparky! 4 stars!
Vrolijk, muzikaal, met aanwezige maar fijne gitaar.
Literally shocked at how good I thought this was. I remember this group from the late 70s/early 80s, and some relatively catchy weird tunes, but could never get past the weirdness of them. I really enjoyed listening to this and now have to listen to more of their albums.
Sparks doing Sparks things, influential and years ahead of the rest.
4.5
Fun album.
I liked it. Good female led pop rock group where the melodies are good enough to tap your feet to
How this band escaped me I will never know. The sound of this album is still fresh after 50 years.
I thought the vocalists complemented the music really well. The songs themselves worked, the only one I didn't care much for was "Equator" which felt repetitive. "This Town Ain't Big Enough For Both Of Us" I've heard before (original and covered), but the rest of the album was almost as good as the one song. It's always worrisome that people like the one "hit" and the rest seems like b-sides to support the one song. But a lot of the tracks were as good. The starts and stops in the songs were unique (as were the songs themselves). I had watched a bit of the Sparks doc so I knew what I was in for. But I still id not know everything about them. I do think some of the songs start to sound a bit same-y, and I can see how the duo got tired of that format. Still, a good album. It definitely has some good stuff on it.
Sparks was late to the glam rock party, and maybe only invited so some music execs could cash in on the trend. But this is a damn fun album. Especially the start (This Town Ain't Big Enough for Both of Us, Amateur Hour) and end (Thank God It's Not Christmas) to side one and the end to side two (Equator). The album reminded me a lot of the energy on T Rex's Electric Warrior - that album is still better overall but I enjoyed this album almost as much. Russell Mael's vocals are deliciously high-pitched and eccentric. Reminds me of the Darkness from the 2000's - a throwback glam rock band who maybe learned their stroke from these guys. Ron Mael's lyrics are quite cheeky and his keyboards combined with Adrian Fisher's guitar create such a big sound. I have to admit I'd never heard of these guys before but I was pleasantly surprised.
me recordo a kate bush y algo mas pero no me creo que es del 74
Pretty interesting. Had no idea these guys existed.
Une très bonne vibe ! J'ai bien aimé Lost and Found, Thank God it's not Christmas, puis un peu Barbecuite, et Equator
Actually liked it! It was super accessible and fun!
I confess to not having heard much of the Sparks repertoire, but if they get Queen Cate performing on stage with them at Glasto then they must have something going for them, right? Enjoyed this a lot. Went and had a listen to more and discovered a collaboration with Franz Ferdinand. Superfantastich!
Like operatic new wave. Zany and infectious. Will be returning, for sure.
Hasta manana, monsieur.
I've heard of Sparks in passing, but never took the opportunity to dive in and it turns out I've been missing out. The album was full of life, strange at time, but in true glam rock fashion, really sold me on the concept. The falsetto added so much drama and the songs were catchy as hell. I image they were a big influence on Of Montreal's early work. Can't wait to dig into more of their work. Fav tracks: In My Family, Falling in Love with Myself Again, This Town Ain't Big Enough for Both of Us, Amateur Hour
They are so quirky and when you like the music of Sparks it reinforces you are a VERY SERIOUS listener of music. You have a diverse taste and can't understand why this sound didn't catch on as much as it should have. Of course, not everyone has the expert sonic pallette that you have, so you have to be a VERY SERIOUS listener of music to enjoy this and not everyone is on your level. You are special, because you enjoy this. Not as bad as I had expected and I knew some Sparks prior to hearing this album. I would have to be in a mood to listen to this music because the singing voice and quirk is a bit too much for this to be a regular listen. This album deserves a spot on the list, even though the lyrics are utter meaningless.