Reviews (page 3 of 8)
Interesting. Mix of ABBA and queen. Didn’t hate it.
This was ok and not ok. Not my style. But I can see how some would enjoy this.
meh 2.5/5
The singer should’ve done an album with Tiny Tim to really annoy the people. Really enjoyed the album. Could easily get a 4 after a few more listens I reckon. 3.5/5
Good clean fun. This town aint big enough is my new karaoke song. Amateur hour is also great Love sparks me
Enjoyable. Irritating at times. Theyve got so many albums i think id enjoy a greatest hits. Id go see em live. This albums ok.
Only ever heard this town ain’t big enough but that wasn’t bad. Enjoyed it catchy little songs
Quite fun, vocals get on your tits after a while. Equator can absolutely get fucked.
Listen briefly
Something is irking me vocals wise but I was somewhat jiving with the rest of it
The album was solid, nothing crazy tho
I was basically a Sparks virgin...So many of the things that I like and the vocals are kind of wild. Maybe a tad overwhelming, but it's great.
First time hearing it. Was expecting more Frank Zappa/Cheap Trick and what I got was ABBA.
Baroque, chamber pop genius. Innovative and stylistic. New to me but still vitally relevant.
Fucking great album. Glam rock at its best.
Strange, but kind of interesting. (2)
it was intense i feel like my head hurts a bit I liked it it was interesting worth knowing probably not gonna gome back
The Dog’s Bollocks this album is
Ok actually wanna give this like a 7/10. So a 4? I feel like I give everything 3 stars. Lol. But I like this a lot buuuuuut its like …
Idk what I just listened to. Didn't hate it, but likely wouldn't queue it up again.
Dosta naporno za slušati, kao neka skeri cirkuska glazba za djecu. Not my cup of tea. 1/5, 1/10
This was pretty fun and refreshingly different
Maybe one of the most singular records on this whole list. I knew This Town .. and Amateur Hour already but kept expecting the quality to drop off at some point in the tracklisting, it didn't. Two of the tracks were even on the original album but were b-sides were equally as enjoyable.
Art rock has never hit with me—I don’t imagine it ever will.
I watched the documentary having never heard of Sparks. I was absolutely fascinated by the idea that there was such an influential and prolific band that never gets recognition. I enjoyed the documentary but I never actually took the time to listen to an album until this list. With every single track I had an almost immediate feeling like, “Oh no, this song is gonna be terrible.” But every single time a song would end I’d think, “Goddamn that song was awesome.” Every time.
This is the second Sparks album on this list I've heard. This one also didn't do much for me. Creative, sure, but feels like the band and producer throwing endless glam rock tropes on the wall, but none of them ever really sticking, making the album feel very uneven. While I don't mind a male falsetto, as I am a big fan of Rush and I enjoy my fair share of Supertramp and The Bee Gees, but Russel Mael's falsetto often comes off as undecipherable, like an adult toddler cooing their way through the whole album, distracting and detracting from the instrumental performances. Favorites: none The only thing I enjoyed about this album was the album cover.
Instead of this godless behaviour how about we get some actual Japanese music on the list? Vocaloids are better than The Beatles and it's not even close
Another album that makes claim to glorious Nippon and then ruins their name
Quirky and fun with a couple of big singles.
I really love the sparks. But I have to admit that I had a lot of help from the documentary to connect the dots. Not very easy to see how the same band could release such different tunes as This town aint big enough, No 1 song in heaven or When do I get to sing my way. I also love how they are still active and doesnt compromise about anything.
Favorite Track: Complaints
the received the odd Lifetime achievement award and i can see why
Mojo dojo casa house
Overall not enjoyable lol
High energy with more than a whiff of campness, glam and squealing guitar. Not my thing. Impressed this is not sounding anything like 50 years old. Better than Queen. But still a 2.6. Give them 5 for their longevity though.
Liked most of this. Generous 4
A mix of many genres none of which I am likely into - they certainly threw the kitsch-in-sink for this one.
Very transatlantic. Very listenable. Not particularly memorable. Glam rock, if this is even to be regarded as that, just isn’t my thing overall.
Didn't expect these guys to be so old. Side A is amazing but side B falls off a bit. Yet another pleasant surprise of an album
interesting
I liked it way better when I thought the japanese girls on the cover were the band. Feels less fun now that I know it's some weird german-looking dudes. Barely held on to it's 3 stars. Some pre-deerhoof weirdo rock ibes that I liked but also some Rush-y prog rock and flat out annoying parts that mean I probably won't be going back
Did not enjoy at all
Kooky, sounded a bit ahead of its time for me; I had Sparks down as early 80s rather than early 70s.
My ex-wife liked Sparks. I'm really sorry but this means I can't listen to this with any kind of objectivity. She had bad taste in music. 1 star. Couldn't bear to listen.
Completely new to me. It was quick, fun and super good. Would add to my collection
Weird. Odd. Kind of okay for the first couple songs then complete chaotic noise.
God, this was so weird. Loved it 5 ⭐️
Never heard of this band. Not for me. I respect it though. Just not for me.
This album is fantastic, and a fabulous, funny and so enjoyable musical experience, but so so interesting too. This album is such a crazy one, with so many layers and energy, and a very high quality. The first song is, for me, the best in here, but everything is so great! This album is such a delight, an insanely funny delight.
this was interesting
Is glam rock/musical theatre/weimar era cabaret fever dream a musical genre because this is exactly what this is…. There’s an awful lot going on in every song, but that’s a good thing. Russell Maels bonkers falsetto and his brothers baroque keyboards are at the heart of this mad ride. A journey that is well worth taking
Jake: 7.3/10 This album warmed up for me. Very interesting they’ve been around for so long as i hear lot of genres in their music and I’m sure were peers of David Bowie and the like. Overall not my taste and that’s why the lower rating, but i can see why sparks is given their cred due to their immense creativity and influence Greg: 7.1/10 A fun listen! Never heard of them before but I can hear their influence in a lot of other artists including siouxsie & the banshees, ween, talking heads + more. It did have some theatrical/musical aspects to it that I wasn't a fan of. Not sure if I would revisit this album but am open to checking out more of their work. Annie: 7.5/10 I enjoyed this one! Can’t believe these brothers have been at it since 1968 🤯 explains why I hear a lot of other artists in their music. Russel Maels vocals are phenomenal, however it did get a little repetitive after a while and I’m not sure if I would revisit this album as a whole. Overall a fun listen for me though!
Some eccentric and theatrical music from the early-mid 70s seemed an appropriate continuation from Todd Rundgren. The very famous opening track gets things off to a good start, I can see why people would like this album but it didn’t quite land for me.
I do get it
Wonderfully strange.
Why... really why?
This was new for me, and I don't even know what kind of music to call this. Once again, I love this theatrical, eccentric weird shit. Catch me on a different day and maybe I'll feel differently about it, but it's definitely fun and unique and I can appreciate that.
Beginning to realize a lot of people on this site just hate fun.
This was a weird one, and I'm torn between if it was good weird or bad weird. Definitely avant-garde
It was a decent album, I can see that if you’re into this music that this album would stand out in 1974.
Their masterpiece4
It was certainly different when it was released, not a favourite at the time, but can see how it influenced a lot of artists who followed on
Quite the fabulous set of tunes, my dear. Jolly gay time! Flashy, glammy, campy, silly. I liked it but Queen took this genre and turned it into perfection so everyone else pales.
Cuando era chico iba a ver obras de comedia musical y las canciones eran una onda así. Está bueno igual pero no lo escucharía
Ok
I love this album, it’s so quirky and different while still being really enjoyable. I don’t even think I have a song I really love as much as a love how it works as a whole.
Clearly not my type of whimsy; gave up during Here in Heaven.
Ok
Oh wow a lot of musicians I enjoy like this album. But to me this album sounds like what I think Trout Mask Replica sounds like to normal people (that record I do enjoy)
8/10 Band reassessment - Sparks are actually pretty great. Yes, weird, but never boring and always underpinned with some great tunes and a touch of rock sensibility
With the best will in the world I can’t take to this. His voice is an acquired taste and I can’t make out the lyrics others are raving about. It definitely has a campy and fun feel and is much more glam than I was expecting. They are a charismatic duo and I imagine this would be a riot live
interesting listen
chale está bien aburrido pero pal año en el que salió pos seguro si era muy novedoso
Interesting kitsch.
One of those hugely influential albums that most people have never heard of. Sparks were one of the best glam rock bands out there, largely because of how open and playful their music is. They have an amazing sense of humor, musical range and flare for theatrics. The frequent plays on words keep the songs are indefinitely fun and comical and the Sparks Brothers were never afraid to experiment. It's a breath of fresh air in a genre that got stale very quickly. Unlike the others who had to evolve or disappear, Sparks and their signature sound are still going strong.
What a strange treat! Fun and operatic ala Queen without the strong presence of Mercury and May. Still very fun and surprising.
I liked the few Sparks songs I knew but had never listened to an album in full. I expected to like it and did. Still unique at nearly 50 years old.
Energetic. There's a lot going on but it generally works pretty well. I like the bass tone. Fun listen.
Interesting. Needs further listens.
I’d heard of Sparks only within the last 5 years or so. They seemed weird, so I was interested. Today’s mainstream music has no weirdos anymore and therefore has nothing to offer me. Sparks are hard to explain. They're new wave, but rock, they can sound like Queen, but also like carnival music. They are a band that needs to be heard. Plus, they’re hilarious, which can be figured out by reading the title of their album, Kimono My House. If you don’t get the joke, maybe you shouldn't try this one out. The band is made up of two brothers, Ron and Russell Mael. One, Russell, a dashing leadsinger/frontman in the same vein as Robin Zander from Cheap Trick. A true rock and roll frontman. While his brother Ron…..He’s hard to explain. Ron wears glasses, has a Charlie Chaplin mustache, slick-backed hair, and glowers from behind the keyboards. He almost acts as if he's surprised there is a concert going on around him. He just constantly looks around like a serial killer for his next victim. Weird, but brilliant. Their music is so good and is hard to pin down to any genre or decade, really. It sounds like something Foxy Shazam might put out today. This album was the brothers' first stab at writing a more pop album. I mean, they succeeded, but it’s a weird pop album. Track 1, "This Town Isn’t Big Enough For the Both of Us," is incredible and maybe their most well-known song. It gives me Queen vibes and is a real rocker. Track 2, Amateur Hour, is about sex and puberty. It’s hilarious. Until you actually have sex and become good at it, it’s Amateur Hour. For guys, “Amateur hour goes on and on When you turn pro, you know She'll let you know.” That’s hilarious. I assume the reason this isn’t a huge classic band is that they were too weird in the end to crossover. Devo did, they’re weird. Not that Sparks didn’t have a great career. They're having a big revival these days. They’re so original to not be huge that it seems a bit of a disappointment, maybe not for them. Track 4, Here In Heavan, starts out on fire. It paints a very boring picture of what heaven is like. People are sleeping all day, talking about how they died, and wondering if their loved ones remember them. Just very heady lyrics. Track 5, Thank God It’s Not Christmas, seems to be about a guy who loves doing the same old things everyday, going the same places, seeing the same people, just being on the go all the time. Then Christmas comes, and he’s stuck at home with his loved ones, how boring. Though maybe it’s what he actually loves the most. Very clever song. The songwriting on this album is incredible. I am already in love. Great guitar playing in this song. Most of the songs are piano-driven, which makes sense as Ron Mael is a keyboard player and songwriter. This band is fun and great at writing fun pop songs. They remind me of a more piano-based pop music version of Cheap Trick. Cheap Trick’s songs are great musically, but their lyrics are filled with sarcasm and some pretty shocking stuff if you look into them. It’s amazing they were able to get away with some of the stuff they wrote about. Though most of those tracks were album tracks. I’m digressing again. Listen to this album immediately. Each song is a banger, and even though it’s not your usual pop album from 1974, it’s still a very good time. I’m adding it to my regular rotation and look forward to hearing more Sparks either from the 1,001 Albums list or just on my own time.
It sounds fun, but it's actually incredibly boring.
why do the vocals and the instrumental not match at all??????
Well that was a lovely listen
Bit samey but I didn't hate it I guess
Never quite heard anything like this and it was fucking awesome. This is why this generator and challenge is great, you discover great things you never would have heard otherwise. Amateur Hour was my song and first listen of the album with Here In Heaven and Hasta Manana, Monsieur being my other highlights
fun but a couple songs got annoying
Just not sure. I feel like it might improve with multiple listens. The music is solid in parts. It’s probably just a bit silly I think. Just don’t think I’d go back to it.
Interesting. I can see how this would have been quite influential in the 70’s
Feels like a one hit wonder, with one big song up front. So after track one it's a bit too kitsch and one dimensional but having said that it's geberally ok and inoffensive
A really strong album, holding up surprisingly well 52 years later. The switch from US to UK did wonders for their sound.
Wonderfully bonkers, but not quite my cup of tea. Will still give 3 stars though.
Plenty of fun to be had with some good old-fashioned guitar pop, with shades of glam and bubblegum and all the trimmings. Does run out of steam though with the last few tracks outstaying their welcome.
It's fun but I can't get into it
2.5
Fun very 70s glam rock. Crazy that this is a US band seems like the most British thing ever.
I was expecting to like this. Unfortunately, this is just a poppy, somewhat musical theatre-y album that doesn't have any hits and isn't very weird. Don't know why everybody defines this album as being weird. It's not?
Starts with the only Sparks song most people, including myself, know and goes lightly downhill from there.
Hef aldrei heyrt þessa plötu áður. Hún er frábær. Elska þessa rödd og lögin eru svakalega hress. Við setjum fimm á netið og höldum áfram.
Super fun album that never flags. 4.0/5.0: Great
interesting album with good instrumentation. that said i didnt particularly like it but im glad to have heard it
What a funky, quirky, fun collection! Kinda spooky too, so the entire time I wasn't sure whay kind of experience I was going to get :)
Not really a fan
Easily one of the greatest rock albums of all time. It’s a no skip masterpiece. I don’t understand how Sparks just always manage to exude rock opera aura with everything they make. Like this is utter perfection start to finish. I don’t really love their debut album, and it made me think I didn’t like them as much as I thought. This album reassured me they are the greatest hidden gem in all of rock! I stand by that.
This is fun, but I didnt feel the fun. Not sure if I just want in that type of mood or if it just annoyed me a tiny bit. It should have been more fun that what I got out of this. It rocks and does interesting things. I just ain't got shit. Didn't save anything and probably won't return either. Not what I would think bit its what i got.
This was so wild and unexpected…
Amateur Hour faz-me lembrar a She's Lost Control dos Joy Division, mas uma versão mais animada. Foi primeira música que me ficou mais no ouvido, talvez pela parecença. No entanto, não é um álbum para mim. Estou dividido entre as 2 e 3 estrelas. Amanhã decido quando for descobrir o novo álbum. Um exemplo que este tipo de música/vocais nao é para mim é a música Equator. Demasiada chata. Em algumas músicas a guitarra salva um bocado o dia com os solos, mas mesmo assim nada de especial.
I mean, it's Sparks. 5/5.
Some really fun stuff happening here. Great album cover
Nothing but bangers
Very weird but kinda into it
Very interesting album, reminded me Very much of queen and supertramp with the vocal harmonies and certain vocal inflections. If you’re not into the glam theatrical rock elements this record will not appeal to you, but I found it quite enjoyable
very interesting rock album from a band i was completely unfamiliar with, enjoyed it!
i don't even really know what this was
Never heard of this band or this album, but a surprise! Energetic and weird, in the best way. One of those that makes this list worthwhile.
Ahh man Sparks are so good. Intelligent, funny, and extravagant. Maybe if the list had been published later their reappraisal by the zeitgeist may have seen more than one album on the list. I like many of their albums more than this one but it’s still 5 stars. Suggest Lil Beethoven, Exotic Creatures From the Deep and the Girl is Crying in her Latte. There can’t be many bands from the seventies who’ve peaked in the 2010’s and 2020’s
Like a diet Queen, a quite good LP
I have a friend who really likes Sparks. I'd always thought they were too quirky for me. In the intervening years (ie since we were at school together in the 80s) I've come to understand their influence better, and I'm glad they're around... but, truthfully, they're still too quirky for me. It's the eccentric vocal and subject matter; the stop-start songs that veer into cabaret. I did like In My Family, which grew into quite a banger. In fact, they sounded like Roxy Music (who I love) now and again; I enjoyed those bits (the last two tracks were pretty good). And, as I say, I'm glad artists like this are around, and, therefore, can't give them a low score. But the overall package isn't quite for me. Sorry.
I guess I’m not on their level or something idk
I got really strong Florence and the Machine vibes from this, just decades earlier. Really strong and quirky vocals with a very strong backing band. Its hard to pin down their direction but it kept me interested till the end.
Really fun music reminiscent of Talking Heads, Devo and Blondie. Wish it was more Japanese to be honest. But I had a good time with this one
I actually loved this Kinda weird Is it racist? Idk
Better than a majority of the 70s crap we have to endure. Musically pretty great, but vocals and lyric delivery are perhaps a little way out for my taste. Not bad though.
One of my favorite Sparks albums but it does feel a little repetitive. It was the first album where they really found their sound.
A bit weird but fun. worst: "Equator"
Another band I'd never heard of, but reading a little bit ahead of time I was excited to listen. It seemed they were likely one I'd enjoy. Overall I did. I got into the vibe right away, but only some of the songs stood out from the pack. Quite a few felt very similar so that didn't help. Also I would have loved listening with the lyrics in front of me, as I think that might've helped me to enjoy it more, but I was driving to work so that wasn't possible. The songs I really liked were Amateur Hour, Talent Is An Asset, and In My Family (loved the line "Gonna hang myself, from my family tree"). I will pay more attention to this band moving forward, as I know I'll like more of their stuff.
This was actually a really pleasant album. I didn’t know what to expect going in but enjoyed it overall.
Fun, silly, light, playful… thank god for subtitles. Feels like I’ve heard it before. Low 3
Interesting album… I think the first song is definitely the strongest and I could see it eating on a movie soundtrack actually. It’s crazy too that this is from 1974 because if you asked when it was from I would have said early-mid 80s. That being said, I really like the instrumental backing but found the vocals a little repetitive for my taste
I didn’t know what to make of this.
The album was ok. I didn’t like the first song so that set a bad tone for me but there were some decent songs later on in the album
If post-India Beatles and Queen got together to make garbage music you would get this album
This was so new and fun! First listen took some time to warm up to it but the second time through I loved the whole thing. 4
fands irgendwie sehr cool fav songs: this town ain't big enough for the both of us, lost and found
- really interesting, very theatrical, very before its time -- it sounds like it could have come out of the 90s in some places instrumentally - kind of goofy, interesting melodies, humorous-sounding vocals. Of Montreal came to mind as a modern interpretation of this particular brand of songwriting and composing - probably wouldn't listen again for fun, but I could definitely see this as being someone's absolute jam. something about this project I've noticed is that albums that feel like they're from a different time period than when they were released have appeared quite a bit in this overall list
might have given a 4 but didn’t listen completely
4/5 - Super unique, I enjoyed most if not every song, some did go on too long though.
j'ai l'impression ils étaient grave trop pressé quand ils ont fait cet album wesh
I'm usually not a fan of glam and campy stuff, but I have to admit this was a fun listen
how have i never heard of this this feels iconic, not really my thing tho but 👍
This is two American dudes?? I was about to review this as MIA for the 70s - two Asian girls Making incomprehensible pop music, but then I looked them up on Wikipedia. Very weird - kinda catchy at times
3.3 This chick singing is a dude?
Quite like a bit of Sparks but more as a singles band. This was a pretty fun listen in places but started to grate on me just a little
One of those bands I always want to check out (because they pop up in random places), but never remember to. It was odd, just like I expected. But not weird enough to shy me away from checking them out again
i think sparks has influenced music a lot more than most people realize. that being said, i think this was the same song 13 times in a row
I love Sparks - the combination of power pop, art rock, and a dusting (maybe more than a dusting) of outright silliness is hard to resist. It's a band that evolved over its career and continues to produce interesting music to this day. "Kimono My House" is often considered their best - and if I'm not certain I agree it's only because of the vast variety and strength of their catalog. A fantastic album and great introduction to the band.
This is weird and awesome. Took a couple of listens to really get a feel for it, but it grew on me each time and I can tell will continue to...
Celkom sa to dalo...
A bit skeptical at first, but this is actually cool. Uptempo, catchy and a little bit weird - but not too much.
Interesting and poppy
This was an odd album
Honestly didn't think I would like this album so much, but it's a full banger.
SUCH A GOOD RECORD FROM A VERY IMPORTANT BAND
Great album, wonder why I've never listened to it before.
I'll be honest and say I got to know Sparks through FFS That's a good record
Though the melodies and playing are quite good, the overall sound of this album to me is like coked-out Alvin and the Chipmunks and it’s hard to table a full listen.
This was great. If the date wasn't on the album, I would have sworn this was from the mid 2000s. I loved the vocals. Super funky and fun and what this project is all about
This came so out of left field for me and truly exemplifies what this project is all about. I had no idea this existed but ended up thinking it was absolutely brilliant. The vocal melodies alone are worth the price of admission, and there is just such a unique and quirky vibe to it while still fitting into the pantheon of glam rock. By the time Amateur Hour hit I was smiling ear to ear, just haven’t heard a lot like this from that era. Really really good and probably the best surprise so far.
An interesting album, different enough to get my interest but still not anything I would return to but decent experience overall.
جيد
*Kimono* is a visionary pop record stuffed full of catchy melodies, countermelodies and hooks. Russell Mael's high-pitched vocals are meshed perfectly with rockin' backing tracks that are alternately guitar- and keyboard-driven. In addition, Ron Mael's ability to write interesting lyrics about basically any subject is on full display here.
for the moment, im finding it really annoying... i dnf it, its not really my style and it gave my a headache.
Musically, it was quite exciting. Vocally, it was unenjoyable.
I felt like I was listening to a clown at a pretentious child's birthday party hosted by some art snob rich parents who don't really get the whole children thing but are trying their best to work out what children like. It was upbeat and trying to be fun but it was mostly boring. Also I want to give them 1/5 just because of how much pronouncing equator as "eh-COO-AY-tuh" annoyed me.
I’ve never heard of Sparks. I thought it was a female led band until I was finished and looked at the artist. Enjoyed the album fine, but especially its unique sound.
theres that grin oh
Zu schrill! Nix für meine Ohren! Wieder mal! Leider!
Incredible album. I fell into a Sparks rabbit hole a few years ago and watched the documentary on them and was blown away. Their longevity and creativity never ceases. This album seems to be their most widely acclaimed album. I love the fun and sense of humour you can see throughout. It's weird and highly influential to many genres and artists. A joy to get this morning, an album I return to regularly. Really love the opening 3 songs especially.
Chaotic, hectic 2 - a good album but not my thing
Not as good as Propaganda but quirky melodic and fun.
I know that Sparks is held in high esteem by many of the artists I love (e.g., Weird Al) but they're a little too frantic for me.
Weird but fun.
The third Sparks album, kicks off with their most famous song. Sparks are a band I don't listen to often, even though I've got a few of their albums, maybe I should pay them a bit more attention. I'll do that today at least.
From my hometown! How have I never heard of them? They’re cool and funky and weird. I like it!
of Montreal! I spent 40 minutes trying to think of who this guy’s voice sounded like, and then it hit me: of Montreal. Well I don’t like the way the singer from of Montreal sings and I don’t like anything Todd Rundgren has ever been even tangentially involved with, so I was never going to like Sparks. I don’t mind arty pop, but you’ve got to get your proportions right. 80% pop, 20% art is just about on the money. Sparks is like 60% pop, 40% art, and that is way too much art. Spoils the pop. This was not terrible, but I’m never going to listen to it again.
Reminds me a lot of supertramp, not a compliment. Just got more tedious the more it went on 2*
weird lol
I’ve never really clicked with Sparks' music, so when this album came up for review, I was honestly dreading it. Still, I figured I'd give it a fair shot. I sat down with the lyrics in hand, hit play, and really tried to listen closely. Nope. Still not for me. I'm not even sure what bugs me the most: the quirky, over-the-top production, the eccentric lyrics, Russell Mael's distinctive falsetto, or maybe just the whole package together. It's all a bit too much. One star. Sorry, Sparks fans!
Never heard of this album/group, so had absolutely no idea what to expect. First track was a pleasant surprise; lighthearted, bit silly, energetic, bit of variety and interest. It didn't click until the second track that the vocals were male; I'm taking that as a positive in the sense that it shows range/talent/versatility. It's a shame that the mix makes the lyrics a bit hard to decipher in places, because having looked them up separately, they're quite good. I enjoy a bit of glam rock, and I'm glad this list has exposed me to Sparks. The downside is that I think listening to this whole album in one sitting became quite hard work part way through; it does get quite samey and the vocals start to grate a bit. I was leaning towards a 4 at the start but I think the album as a whole isn't varied enough to justify it, so I'm going to go with a high 3.
Esta bueno, si vale la pena volver a escucharlo
It's funny and a bit quirky. While I usually like an experimental approach to rock music, this sounds a bit like it's trying too hard.
Fun! 4.
Personal enjoyment: 4/5 Relevance to this list; 5/5.
pleasantly surprised
Now this is my vibe. This is very early for new wave and there were multiple points in this album I could hear bits of Talking Heads and Supertramp and I loved every minute of it. While it's not quite as expansive in sound as the above two mentioned bands get for 1974 this is excellent, extremely playful and full of heart with a great sense of humour. Genuinely jealous of anyone that heart this at the time and caught the wave early. Best songs: This Town Ain't Big Enough For the Both of Us Worst songs: N/A Rank compared to everything else so far: 28/48 (below Automatic For the People, above If I should Fall from Grace with God) Adjusting as of 23/10/26 to 63/78 and from a 4 to a 3, after a recent revisit I like this a bit less than I did upon original viewing. Good but not great, totally servicable.
Interesting.
Really not for me. Best Song: This town aint big enough for the both of us Rating: 3.5/10 Stars: 2
Kimono My House is an album overflowing with personality, cleverness, and theatrical flair, but it does not always translate into a consistently enjoyable listen for me. The ideas are bold, the humour is sharp, and the performances are committed, yet the album often feels more impressive in concept than in execution. It is constantly drawing attention to itself, which can be both its strength and its limitation. What holds it at arm’s length for me is how relentless the quirkiness becomes. Song after song leans heavily into arch delivery, sudden shifts, and lyrical wit, leaving very little space to breathe. While individual tracks are undeniably memorable, the constant theatricality can feel exhausting over the course of a full album, as if the music is winking so hard it forgets to relax. By the end, Kimono My House leaves me entertained but not entirely satisfied. I admire its confidence and originality, and I enjoy dipping into it, but I rarely want to sit with it front to back. Three out of five feels fair for an album that is smart, distinctive, and full of character, but one that overwhelms as often as it delights.
Er moest nodig weer wat gekkigheid in elkaar gestoken worden. Inderdaad herken je het als glamrock, maar gewoon niet erg goede glamrock. Aanvankelijk denk je dat die Japanse dames van de hoes staan te zingen, tot je leest dat het gewoon de leadzanger zelve is. Af en toe een staaltje van de kunst van het maken van een opvallende hoes in de lijst opnemen is best geinig, jammer dat die muziek dan weer zo tegenvalt. Met de maffe hoge zangstem doet het vaag aan Queen denken, en er wordt soms ook wel aardig op de gitaar gepingeld, maar er is een reden dat we tegenwoordig weinig meer van dit clubje horen.
Een vrij theatraal album en toch beklijft dit in eerste instantie niet echt ondanks twee maal luisteren. Dat is toch frappant. Toch nog maar een keer erdoor zappen. Het heeft iets van A Night at the Opera van Queen, wat wel mij volledige aandacht naar zich toe trok. Als ik het vergelijk huppelt de muziek van de Sparks veel meer. Het is vaak vrij staccato. De meer interessante elementen worden hier wat door weggedrukt. Maar die zijn er weldegelijk. The Sparks stoppen daarvoor zelfs geregeld met hun gehuppel. Complaints is vrij exemplarisch. Niets mis mee. Maar het grootste gedeelte is heel toegankelijk en zakt daardoor wat weg. Tot ergens aan het einde ineens het huppelen stopt en de gitaar eventjes de volle aandacht krijgt. Nee, een vergeetbare drie is toch echt te weinig voor dit album.
Het is ergens wel grappig als je vooraf denkt dat je dit niet kent en als het eerste nummer dan start, dan herken je gelijk zo'n typisch top2000 nummer. Inmiddels is het er wel uitgekukeld, er waren te weinig boomers over die dit er in stemden (totdat het weer onder een of ander tiktok of andersoortig hip medium zit). Maar ik vind dit wel ultieme top2000 nostalgie. Juist voor dit soort nummers is het leuk om die lijst te luisteren, omdat je ze de rest van het jaar eigenlijk niet hoort. Het opent dus met progglamrock. Alles is redelijk bombastisch en de hoge stemmetjes zijn iets zeikerig, maar op zich houden ze het tempo er redelijk in. Het klinkt wat fout allemaal, maar ik vermaak me er toch redelijk mee. Een half uurtje is wel weer genoeg geweest, voor een vergeetbare 3.
If fun was an album, this is it.
I'm generally a big fan of the band but this album doesn't hit me as much as some of the others like "Angst in My Pants" and "No. 1 in Heaven". It's nice seeing them get the recognition they deserve.
Dope in every way. Enjoyed this one a lot!
Unusual music, hints of Abba and Kate Bush. Very 70's sound. Has its place for something different
For anyone who grew up in the UK in the 1970s it’s impossible to overstate just how exciting it was to tune into Top of the Pops every week and be genuinely blown away by something new and exciting, and for the playground to be buzzing with it the next day. There’s a story that John Lennon was watching the show one night and called Ringo on the phone to tell him that he was watching Marc Bolan singing a song with Adolf Hitler on keyboards. Of course, that was the first appearance on TV of Sparks singing This Town Ain’t Big Enough For the Both of Us. Russel Mael was impossibly beautiful with a mop of curls and a flawless falsetto, accompanied by brother Ron with slicked back hair, laser beam eyes and (let’s agree to call it) a toothbrush moustache. The song more than lived up to their appearance, with stonking drums, blistering guitars, keyboards to die for and gunshot sound effects on top for good measure. The rest of the album is of similar quality, with plenty of memorable songs that still get included in their live set more than 50 years on. They could easily have been one hit wonders, but they have reinvented themselves multiple times over the years, whilst being consistently inventive and engaging. Geisha-tastic!
Chaotic poppy - cool
I could not get into this album. It seemed like noise for noise sake.
not for me
Album #21: Kimono My House - Sparks Genre (W): Glam rock, art rock Singles: This Town Ain’t Big Enough For Both of Us, Amateur Hour, Hasta Mañana, Monsieur, Talent Is An Asset I have not listened to this album before. Thoughts?: I love the first track and how it served as a killer intro. The whole album has Japanese influences, and I love how tightly composed it all was! Favorite songs: All of it!!
A bombastic and theatrical blast of rock, ahead of it's time in '74 i'd wager. Glam-y with plenty of pomp but a sarcasm or bitterness in the lyrics. To me, its crazy that Sparks is an LA group, as they are so UK to me via their music and contemporaries/offspring... Queen, Supertramp, etc etc. Some of it was a bit too high-spirited for me or maybe too much going on for me to lock into a groove but some great songs and playing
Opent met het bekendste nummer. Ik heb toch sterk het idee dat er een hoop albums zijn waarbij de criteria was; heeft het een bekend nummer? Niet dat ik dit nummer kende hoor, zo bekend is het allemaal ook weer niet, maar opvallend is het wel. Zoveel middelmatige rockalbums met dan 1 hitje die dan toch op deze lijst staan. Dit is geen middelmatig rockalbum, wat dit wel is? Opera avantgarde pop ofzo? Geen idee, het is wel geinig, zeg maar een beetje vreemd maar wel grappig. Heel vreemd rock album, helemaal als je kijkt en ziet dat dit blijkbaar 2 gasten zijn? Maar hoe dan? Is de zanger al die tijd een man? Ik begrijp he-le-maal niets van dit album maar ik vind het toch wel ergens heel grappig. Instrumentaal zijn ze volledig de Kimono/Japan achtige tour opgegaan. Dit word benoemd als een essentieel glam rock album en ik kan dat wel zien, maar zelf vind ik dit echt de blauwdruk voor latere Björk albums bijvoorbeeld. Die zijn weliswaar meer experimenteel en vooral meer poppy, maar het zou mij niet verbazen als ze dit album grijs gedraait heeft. Dit album is bizar, theatraal en veel te overdreven, maar om de een of andere reden kan ik niet anders dan grotendeels glimlachen tijdens het luisteren van deze muziek. FAVO: Amateur Hour, Hasta manana monsieur, Talent is an asset, Equator
It was interesting
29. not bad
I do not love glam rock and this was not an exception.
Fun, tuneful and intelligent.
Only liked the one song
нуууу, ожидания были выше, не могу сказать что какая-то песня понравилась больше остальных.
Hmm... mixed feelings on this one. This was a difficult listen at times. Had some pretty strong theater kid aura that reminded me of Queen (not a big Queen fan) but it wasn't completely unbearable and it had its moments, I just fucking can't... with the zany "berries and cream, berries and cream, I'm a little lad who loves berries and cream!" sound. But then at times it sounded a bit like Suede which was kind of cool? Like alternated between fun and effortless glam rock and exhausting quirky kid that does magic tricks glam rock. Mostly the latter. Hmmm.
The first song 🎵 had me hooked ! I am through my first listen 🎧. And enjoying my second listen. I would've listened to it during my braces 🦷 appointment but my phone 📱. So I listened to it on my home.
Just quirky and interesting enough to be a cool listening experience. Some of the riffs were surprisingly good. Could make for good road trip time filler. 3.5/5
An interesting discovery and I dig it. Calling it quirky alone does it a disservice given that there are some complex arrangements that are quite theatrical. It’s as if Queen, Siouxsie and the Banshees and They Might Be Giants were all unknowingly invited to the same party hosted by Rodgers and Hammerstein.
I could not really get into this. The fact that some people have this at a 5… what?
A very nice surprise. I guess the easy comparison is Queen? Loved some of those guitar runs with vocals. I could see coming back to this and exploring some more of the catalogue (apparently they’ve been doing this for a while). 3.25
I enjoyed this. A bit baffled to discover it is two dudes. Solid bops, fun lyrics. Enjoyable listen. 3.25/5
I can't get past the singer's voice. The songs are okay but I just don't like his voice.
I wonder if I’d like this more if I’d heard it first when I was younger and my brain was more elastic. I’m impressed with Russell Mael’s vocals. I had to double-check during the opening track that there wasn’t a female guest vocalist. A range and flexibility I respect, but I admit I don’t really like his voice. The instrumentation and songwriting is most compelling when it leans into the rock side of glam rock, like “Thank God It’s Not Christmas”. The ersatz pop stuff here can hit my ears wrong. I didn’t really care for “This Town Ain’t Big Enough For Both Of Us”, this album’s big hit, for that reason. “Talent Is An Asset” almost worked with it chugging bass but the repetitive vocal hooks undid that goodwill.
Really good, love the energy, kinda queen like which is great. I sometimes don't like its theatrical side though. 3.5/5
Helevetin hyvä! Ihan varma että näitä biisejä on soinut elokuvissa tai mainoksissa ympäri vuosikymmeniä. Ei voi tietää… tämä on niinku näytelmää, oopperaa mutta hyvällä maulla.
5/10
First time listening to Sparks. I found this to be an interesting album. Will have to relisten to it to get the full impact
i..... like this? i'm bewildered. on my first listen i had no clue how to feel about ANY of this because this singing style is baffling but i noticed i was tapping my foot to "talent is an asset" and "in my family" towards the end of the album. there is a LOT that is happening. once i got attuned to the energy, the second listen really grew on me a lot. it's fucking *weird*. incredibly forward looking for this to be a 1974 album in its whole construction. it's like the album itself has a learning curve. not every track hits and i think that's what holds me back from loving this more but this is perplexingly good. EDIT: fuck it well ball this is a 5
Glam Rock was truly home to the first weebs. This sounds so wild I don't know how to rate it or what to think of it, but I er... I think I like it? The issue with an album every day is it doesn't give a lot of time to digest it and this is a whole lot to digest. This Town Ain't Big Enough For Both Of Us is a suprising earworm to me and each listen through the album seems to make me like it more so that's a good thing? Yeah this is the first album in a long while that just has me completely stumped. I don't know get back to me in like a year and I might've formed a concrete opinion on this... Maybe. Uh... 4 stars I think? Update: This album has stuck in my brain since listening to it and is definitely a 5. That's my more concrete opinion
Good!
Good
I want so badly to love this album. I love the spirit of it, the creativity, the instrumentation. I bet the theater kids love it. But it just doesn't suck me in the way No. 1 in Heaven does.
This wasn’t bad. Some annoying parts, but overall decent. 3/5
Nothing bad about it, but nothing really great either. Just kind of "ok, so what?"
Well that was unexpected. In a good way. A little bit like Queen meets ABBA. Well, if only two dudes comprised ABBA that is.
Fun.
Decent.
couple songs I liked but overall not my favorite
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 only got through two songs only because I’m sick and my brain needs less excited music, but I loved what I heard and would probably even dance to it all while microdosing. 10/10 but I’ll give it four stars
I really liked this! Weird and rocking and fun….and they formed a super group with Franz Ferdinand?? The more you know.
I've never of Sparks but apparently they've been going strong since 1968? Wild. OK, so this album is weird. It doesn't sound like 1974, there's a polish to the recording that I wasn't expecting. I find there's a sameyness to all of the songs.
I enjoyed it! First time hearing sparks. Nice surprise.
Not my style
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
uhhhhhhhh it was interesting but quite a drag to get through once i expected the vocals, the novelty didn't hold up.
Fine I guess. It had some interesting parts but at the same time nothing stood out. It even had some noisy parts that I found off putting... and I'm a fan of noise. Just doesn't feel cohesive.
not a fan
Very bright pitched album, I can hear queen influences. I don't like the singing but some of the guitar is ace.
Kinda Talking Heads pop rock, not my scene.
If Abba and Meatloaf had a baby
Great
Didn't enjoy this. Didn't rise to the level of music.
10/10 Sparks are amazing. The fact they only have one album in the list is insane. 12-12-2025
Well I really hated this. I've often wondered if I was missing out on Sparks, as I've head people mention that their albums are better than their big hits might lead you to believe. Well maybe for some people, but this did nothing for me. Horrible vocals and everything just sounded nasty. I struggled to get to the end, but somehow managed. One star.
Not really my type of music, but this album is undeniably fun and well-crafted with a few stand-out moments. 3.5 -> 3
I’d never heard of Sparks before this. I was pretty on board. Sounds like a proto-Of Montreal.
Gear: Abyss DIANA MR Artwork: 👘🪭👘 Production: 🔪👂🩸 Music: 🤡💭🤯 Rating: 🏠🏠🏠/5
Boring, not my type of thing.
Англосаксы
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.
I don't know what this album is try to accomplish. But it was weird and boring
Not great. Felt like bad new wave. Idk man there's nothing here for me.
Ok
Not my thing I think.
circus vibe, i like it a lot actually!
Glam x1000. Didn't actually mind this. High 2s
Maybe if I didn't have a slight headache, I'd enjoy the weirdness of this album more
Jag har försökt med Sparks förut, men nä... Håller med Jonas dokumentären är bra, musiken not so much
Melodikryssetnestorn Anders Eldeman har uttryckt sin kärlek för Sparks. Å Eldeman är ju världens trevligaste och gladaste människa. Men inte ens Eldeman kan rädda det här. Som en kombo av det sämsta med ABBA och Queen. Påklistrat teatraliskt, vidriga arrangemang och en sång som borde grävas ned tillsammans med slutförvaring av kärnbränsle.
Det finns en bra dokumentär om Sparks. Vet inte om den ligger kvar på SVT play. Se hellre den. För deras musik är inte särskilt rolig. Jag gillar inte sången. I dokumentären framhölls deras fyndiga texter. Mig går det över huvudet på.
Kinda fun and theatrical
ohhhh shit begins with a generational banger and does cool off from there a bit but still all very fun, snappy, spirited music.
Overall: 10/10 Nobody on the planet sounds like Sparks, and that's rare in music. I genuinely can't even think of a singke artist who ever "stole" their sound. They are singular in their art and that's something special to me. Their lyrics are insane, and I don't think anyone else could write songs like this and be able to be taken seriously. I also thought the vocalist was female the first 5 times I ever listened to this until I watched their performances on The Midnight Special. Insanely good. Fav Song: Amateur Hour
não é a minha vibe, mas não é ruim não
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
Meh. Not great, not bad. Listenable. A little weird. Kinda punky. Didn't hate it.
I'm struggling to form an opinion on this. It's definitely pretty out there, but I really appreciate just how over the top it is. With that being said, none of the songs really stood out for me.
This was a tough one to rate. I mean objectively I have never really heard of anything like it. It almost felt like I was listening to some pop from like Elton John, but if they also happened to run into the music from like Phantom of the Opera and they had a baby and played the music together. Super unique sound that I haven't really heard before. I don't think I would come back to listen to it again, but if it was on in the background of like a theater party it would be perfect.
3.0/10
This was trying too hard to be fun and ended up being kind of overwrought instead. It really dragged on for me and I couldn't really make heads or tails of the lyrics. The singer has incredible range, I'll grant you, but it's not used to any effect I particularly cared for
Decent
This is why I've signed up to this list. How have I never heard this? It's fantastic!
Interesting at first, grating after a while
I was a bit tired to be fair. But didn’t hate it. Simpsons: No
I have only heard of this band because Jeremy Vine bangs on about them and plays the first track from this album. Overall, not that impressed with Vines' recommendation.
Campy and fun, a 3 but a very high one
Criminally underrated album. Two songs apart from being a perfect album. Weirdness is an asset.
A pleasant oddball of an album. An atypical glam-rock album with some very pleasant sounding songs. Personally, a full album of this is a bit much, but the songs individually are well written and performed. 3/5
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.
Kinda nice, not something I'd listen too all the time. It's a bit like a discount Queen where you can't understand what their saying
i fell in love with this album a few years ago. it's a little bit off kilter, but still very fun and super rockin'. this is not going to be everyone's cup of tea, but songs like 'this town ain't big enough for the both of us,' 'amateur hour,' and 'talent is an asset' are so fun and really unique for the time period. to me, it's like if power pop went slightly off. it's got that pop-rock sensibility, but mixed with a level of artsyness that keeps you on your toes.
I was quite annoyed by this album until I looked at it differently and recalibrated my expectations. It's catagorized as rock, and if you're expecting a rock and roll album, well, this sucks. But once I took a step back and realized that this is more of a glam album, that it's "rock" in the same way that Queen is "rock," it became much more palatable. And by listening to the album with that perspective, it went from "pretty crap" to "pretty OK."
This was shockingly good!
Not for me. 1/5
It’s tough when the best song is the first recommended track once the albums actually over … There were moments where this was decent, serviceable at best, but then it’d go right back to being annoying. I can’t tell if I like or absolutely loathe barbecutie …
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.
I couldn’t hardly understand a word, but I liked the vibe! The songs were upbeat and lively.
# 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.
Distinct sound, interesting and entertaining.
Was unfamiliar, Rockin’ good time!
Kinda wild. i liked it
Fun, creative, fabulous. Love it. Love them. Scotland are going to the world cup! Five stars