Reviews (page 7 of 8)
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 really want to like this album more than I do. If a few different vocal lines had been added, or the last 30-60 seconds of each song was eliminated, this could really be a top tier album. The falsetto is so talented and unique, the feel is super quirky and avant-garde without being obnoxious or just noise. There's real talent here, and definitely uniqueness. It's just so repetitive and simple, in a lyrical sense, and I hate that. If you don't mind, this is a very cool album. Fav track: This Town Ain't Big Enough For Both Of Us
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!
Just not my thing at all
it's unique, but it's bad.
So fun. A classic
Cool vibe and well done in the rock meets Broadway kind of thing they’re going for but realistically I’m not throwing this on very often.
great great album. Super fun
Best Song: This Town Ain't Big Enough For Both Of Us. It sounds like a band trying to cover the bigger bands at the time, but the theatricality of it is fun. Worst Song: Equator. Obnoxious falsetto and a vocal exercise that just goes on way too long. Overall: Another dime-a-dozen British glam rock band. An entirely worse version of Supertramp. An album I didn't need to listen to. Also funny to notice that the number of plays for the songs on this album on Spotify drop linearly across its track list. It's a literal measure of people dropping out of this boring album before it finishes.
It was like a bad mix of David Bowie and Queen, resulting in music that sounded like bad/bizarre show tunes.
Absolute classic. Own it on Vinyl and proud to call it the first one I owned.
Poppy, Arty and a bit samey.
Fun but mostly makes me want to listen to other stuff
1/5. Absolute racket. What's going on there?
Very unique vocals. Sick riffs on a variety of instruments. This album was very entertaining. I felt the music very deeply.
Love this music, sounds like Roxy Music from the same time period.
Like operatic new wave. Zany and infectious. Will be returning, for sure.
Everyone knows 'This town' but this is an excellent album from start to finish. Along with the wonky pop there's a distinct krautrock chug. 3.5 stars really.
This album blew my mind for one big reason. Just about everything they do sounds like Rush married with David Bowie. It's not as good as either's peak, but it's just SO much like them. So much so that I immediately thought "huh I wonder which Rush album influenced them", only to find out this came out before Rush's first album even released. I love how theatrical and dramatic this album comes across. It adds to the overall immersion of it. Each song feels like it's own little adventure that I can't help but get swept away by. Glam Rock isn't my favorite genre. Hell, it isn't even in my top 5, but this album is just so good at what it does it now just might be up there. Favorites were This Town Ain't Big Enough For Both Of Us, Here In Heaven, Thank God It's Not Christmas, and Equator.
so cool
Hasta manana, monsieur.
What a fun album! I obviously knew This Town, but the whole thing is a treat. It does get a little repetitive and I know I'll need a few more listens to fully unpack everything, but honestly, I'm looking forward to listening to this again. It was a great time. I loved the live track at the end. I'd love to see these guys in concert even now way past their prime.
Silly and fun, but not great 2.5
I'm not sure I've ever heard any album with this much energy before. Riding the glam wave but very much in their own way.
There is no doubt that this album generates a lot of energy, but it doesn't grab me on first listen. The lyrics are a bit quirky, and the overall feel of the album is a bit strange. I think the entire presentation of the album is intended to be a bit tongue in cheek. It was interesting to read that the Sparks brothers are Americans who moved to the UK where they seemed to fit in better with Glam Rock. Comparing them to other Glam Rock groups of the time they don't quite reach the heights of Bowie, T-Rex, or Roxy Music to me. Vocally the album also lacks a bit. I remember how popular they were back then but taken out of context of the time I don't see as an album that has weathered well. Favorite Songs: This Town, Falling in Love with Myself Again, Hasta Monna Monsieur, Amateur Hour
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
A wild ride! Theatrical, self-assured, and deeply weird, I can see what the fuss is all about with this band. That said, it's not necessarily landing for me as much as I'd hoped. I think the record starts to lag towards the back end of its runtime. I reserve the right to change my rating in the future because I might just not be in the right mood for this to have a big impact on me. Favourite tracks: This Town Ain't Big Enough for the Both of Us, Falling In Love with Myself Again, Amateur Hour
Couldn't stand this one!
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.
I’m so indifferent about this one. Not a lot to love but none to hate either.
Interesting history. Not a good album for me. I thought it was women
Surprisingly modern
Campy, glammy art rock - brilliant album by Sparks. Having first heard them in their more new wave phase in the early 80s, this was a fascinating contrast to the more new wave/synth angle they had in later work. It's interesting chord progressions, quirky melodies, and wacky lyrics -- all very catchy, with solid lead guitar work from Adrian Fisher. So many good songs but Falling In Love With Myself, Thank God it's Not Christmas and Hasta Manana Monsieur are my favorites.
Genre: Glam rock, art rock, progressive rock, pop rock, avant-pop 1974 Singles: -------------------------------------------- This Town Ain't Big Enough for Both of Us (#2 UK) Amateur Hour (#7 UK) Hasta Mañan, Monsieur Talent Is an Asset Definitely a different sound. Not great, not bad... Once you get used to the style, it gets better. 3.5
Iallafall rock. Inte riktigt min typ av rock dock, känns mer som att den hör hemma i en någon kaotiskt bit av en film än i ett album.
Painful. Extremely painful
Som alla konstaterat gör de sig en otjänst med den jobbiga sången. För låtarna är det verkligen inget fel på. De är tom ganska bra. Och det tycker jag ska belönas.
Lite för jobbigt att lyssna på.
Oj. Sången är jättejobbig. Det är synd för redan i första låten fastande jag för musiken. Men sången sabbar, jättemycket. Irriterande. Är det falsetto? I princip olidligt. (Detta efter de två första låtarna) Det fortsätter tyvärr. Vet inte riktigt vad jag tycker om musiken längre. Är det en opera? Lite musikal-esque (på ett dåligt sätt). Säkert crazy och hippt när det kom. Men står den sig verkligen bland de 1001 bästa albumen... Känns orimligt. Sex låtar in förstår jag att det är en man som sjunger. Jag förökar lyssna efter musiken, men störs för mycket av sången. Ta ta ta ta sjungs det i falsetto. Att bli glad när skivan är slut är inte ett gott tecken. Lex Tollstorp. Sången -5
Var folk hjärnskadade av allt bly i dricksvattnet på den tiden?
Inte min genre det här och jag orkar inte riktigt med soundet i ett helt album, men ser man till varje låt för sig så är det en helt okej skiva som är rätt jämn rakt igenom.
Gives me a feeling of Japanese ABBA.... I don't know why 🤣🤣
This album was bizarre and fun but not something I want to listen to in its entirety.
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Solid album. I enjoyed this a lot. It's not something I would normally put on. It was a good listen.
1001 Albums has some terrible music, sifting through the 10 garbage albums to find 1 diamond. Even the name of this is dumb.
Love Sparks! This album starts with two back to back bangers, wish the whole album kept up that energy. Still a great album with many more fun songs by band who deserve to be remembered more
De va chill minns ja
Just couldn't get into this. Didn't like the vocal style.
barbecutie lollol
3.2 cause I like one song.
This is a pretty high-paced, upbeat pop-rock album, and I thought it started out really strong. Both of the first two songs are fun and interesting. I'm not sure if things started to trend down after that or I just got used to their formula, but not a ton stood out to me later in the album. It's definitely not bad and I enjoyed listening to it enough, but there wasn't much that I grasped onto as really standing out. They sound a lot like Queen to me, but without the big moments that wow you on a Queen album. Perfectly good, but nothing more for me. Favorite song: Amateur Hour Other: This Town Ain't Big Enough For Both Of Us, Thank God It's Not Christmas, Hasta Manana Monsieur 12/2/23
Love these weird guys, and they still make original stuff, saw the recent documentary The Sparts Brothers was amazing and admired the music (and the film itself) they made for the film Annette. This album if fun and campy and poppy, real fun.
Super weird and super catchy.
Nope.
Blij met deze ontdekking!
No. Its too confusing
where did this album come from?! sparks' kimono my house is peppy and tongue-in-cheek. a song titled "thank god it's not christmas" is rather charming. the high voice, almost falsetto, of the lead singer only adds to the fun vibe. honestly, this album sounds like it couldn't have been released in 1974. i can hear some likeness with their contemporary, roxy music, but i still feel like this album was ahead of its time. and i do admire this album's uniqueness. the usage of castanets in "talent is an asset" stands out. this may be a controversial statement, but i'm heavily reminded of rush with this album. the lead singer's voice is reminiscent of geddy lee, and there is a fair amount of progressive music here, too. i just can't shake the connection!
This is one of the more surprising albums I've had in a while. I was not familiar with Sparks or this album, so I really didn't know what to expect going into it, and to a certain extent, I still don't know what I just heard. This album is campy, it's glam, it's operatic, it's punk, it's new wave, it's avant-garde...it's just a little bit of everything. The vocals are all done in varying degrees of falsetto, which only adds to its obscurity. With songs like "Thank God It's Not Christmas", "Hasta Manana, Monsieur", and "Barbecutie", the songwriting is incredibly self-aware and is in on the joke as far as the album's campy nature. I can see why this album would be polarizing, but I lean in the direction of a thumbs up here. This album was just weird, intriguing, and fun, and Sparks is in on the chaos. This probably lands at like a 3.5 for me!
velipoikaan musiikkia. kesti jonkin aikaa tajuta että ei ollut siskotyttöön... naiselliset miehet... hehheh ei synkkä ääni...synkkä suomalais ääni... pohjolassa syntymään.... synti hääään... tähän maahan pohjoiseen... ja kylmään..... jossa jo esi isät... juovuksissa tottakai.. hakkasivat naiset lapset paskat joivat vain... perinteisen miehen kohtaloon....sai hän tuta noin.... en koskaan osta kirvestää vaaan viiinaaa viai mä juooooon... equator
Great fun. Strong 4*
Vähän kuin Abbaa vaan ei kuitenkaan. Tiukkaa teki jaksaa loppuun asti.
Ihan ok
What even is this?
Great album, although some vocal parts were almost annoying. Still, loved it, listened to it twice instantly.
Fuck yes this was non-stop awesome
интересное музло
забавновое
Wow, this was somewhat of an oddball album! Not unpleasant to listen to but felt a bit chaotic at times.
Taken track by track this is so fun and original, and This Town is of course one of the all time great pop songs. Taken altogether over best part of an hour, it’s A Lot.
Bit weird at first but really didn't mind this after a while,
perhaps one of my favourite albums. incredibly unique, incorporates my favourite genres, fantastic instrumentals, interesting vocals, and enjoyable all around. not a single complaint. favourite track: i couldn't choose they're all bangers
Ok
Weird and eccentric, really glad i listened to it. This town aint big enough is such a cool and loud song. The rest of the album is enjoyable.
I didn’t like it
Not a huge fan; liked a couple of tracks.
This album and band was unheard of for me. I hear this album by Sparks as an earlier precursor of influence to some modern day indie rock such as Animal Collective and Of Montreal. I enjoy how free and weird it is, seemingly not beholden to typical rock expectations. I can also hear the glam rock influence of the likes of T-Rex and David Bowie. 'Thank God It's Not Christmas' is a great, rocking song, with interesting chords, solid comedic value and hints of the glam rocker influences mentioned above. Although I found this album somewhat interesting and a new experience to listen to, I was not very fond of it. It feels a bit too unwieldy, erratic and uncentered. Interesting experiment and a decent album overall, but nothing groundbreaking or transformative.
Mwah
Fun and energetic but really not my type of songs
I liked this album a lot more than I thought I would. I really wasn’t sure going into the first song. They kind of reminded me of Blondie of The Go Go's. I will check out their albums at some point in the future. Favorite Songs were Falling In Love With Myself Again and Talent Is An Asset. Also worth mentioning is the cover of this album depicts 2 females, so I thought this was a girl band. Upon further research, it’s actually 2 guys. But that didn’t change my opinion of the album.
That was painful.
yeah, nah
It's just great fun.
not bad
Would I be crazy to call this a cross between The Beatles and Queen? It even strikes me as a more eccentric version of something that could have come out of the late 2010s indie scene. The synth rock elements have aged extraordinarily well.
Effervescent!
I'll probably never listen to this again, but I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed it.
The kind of album that gets me rethinking all my previous 5s. This shit slaps so hard!!
I mean it was alright. Very theatrical. Every song sort of felt like an intro that never went anywhere. It’s was like Rush but without the excellent musicality that makes Rush so good.
Never heard of this, pleasant surprise. Will I listen to again: 75%
4.5, almost 5. This rocks and is so fun. I’ve heard it a handful of times before and for like 20 years Sparks has been a band that I know I love but hardly know - and I’m really really gonna have to fix that.
Different, kind of good. Parts of this album remind me of some Bowie songs, not sure if there's any influence there. Some parts of this were also average, however.
Sounds like a mixture between circus music and Queen. Way too sprawling for my taste. I don't think this is objectively bad, it just doesn't suit me the slightest.
Your favourite band's favourite band! Man Sparks are weird in a good way. This album is just a wild ride all the way through. Sparks really have a knack for good riffs, weird, funny lyrics and reinventing them selves (just listen to "Hello young lovers" or "Little Beethoven" to see where they would go later). "This Town Ain' Big Enough For The Both Of Us" might be their biggest and glammiest hit. "Amateur Hour" is such a teenage song about a very teenage problem. I mean who else would write a song about a suicide pack from the perspective of the only one who went through with it in "Here In Heaven"?! My dad introduced me to the sparks with "Little Beethoven" which is such a weird album and I fell in love with the band. "Kimono in my house" is probably my favorite until their stuff from early 2000s. Was going to give this one a four but the more I think about it, the more I think it deserves (maybe a slightly weak) 5. I really need to watch the Edgar Wright documentary about the Sparks.
Fun album with interesting lyrics
a fun kinda chaotic surprise. i enjoyed my time listening
good instrumentation + build up throughout the album would give it a listen again - 4/5
Such a weird band. Really enjoyed it more than I thought I would.
Pants
Rocks harder than expected.
I aspire to be this exuberantly maximalist one day.
Kind of Queenesque, I really dig this.
This is a banger, finally something fun.
Rating: 8/10 Best songs: This town ain’t big enough for both of us, Amateur hour
Sounds like new wave. Not overly melodic or interesting. Worth a listen though I guess
terrible, just frikken noise
I liked it a lot, but its more like a theater or a musical for me, so i cant give it more than that
proto-of montreal. i liked it!
wow, i have no memory of this but apparently i liked seven of these songs on spotify as i was listening to this album at work yesterday? welp. cool album, basically sounded like queen plus david bowie plus jukebox the ghost (and my fiancee said early of Montreal as well). basically just the ultimate mashup of glam and new wave sounds. I'll add some of these to the rotation, good find! favorites: this town ain't big enough for both of us, amateur hour, hasta manana monsieur, talent is an asset, in my family, equator, barbecutie
This town
Interesting, innovative and unique, but only occasionally good.
Easy 5 stars
It's quirky, arty, weird, chaotic, glammy and a whole lot of fun. Enjoyed listening to this album. One of the most unique and original bands out there. Just wish there were more albums from these guys in the book. (In particular, Hello Young Lovers which is fantastic.)
i respect sparks for being fucking mental. however this music is everything shit about the 70s. Falsetto never sounds good but the 70s was fucking dripping in it.
Two dudes bonding over having the same size erections.
I’m guessing most you, like me, have never heard of Sparks. I’ll sum it up like this. Kind of like a happier, less depressing Pink Floyd. Toss in some psychedelic Beatles and some David Bowie and you got it. Nothing too amazing. Just ok for me.
The singing was just kind of annoying.
3.5 Ashamed to say I’ve never heard of Sparks. Can clearly see the influence they’ve had on the genre.
Meh
Bijzondere muziek, niet zo m’n smaak. Ik vind ‘Equator’ wel echt een belachelijk ziek nummer
Niks voor mij
Kul!
This is a whimsical, magical album that filled me with joy. I want to eat ice cream with sprinkles while listening to this.
I now know that this exists.
Finally a Sparks album! I was introduced to this band about 12 years ago by ex & took a deep dive a few years after. Sparks sounds like theater nerds who didn't make it in acting but killed it at making quirky music. I didn't realize how influential they were until I watched the Edgar Wright documentary. I was wowed at how many of my favorite bands were influenced by them. This album sounds like the older cousin to Kate Bush's The Dreaming but funnier. It's astounding that the Mael brothers have made decades of music and no two records sound the same. Kimono My House is one of three of my favorite Sparks albums with the big opener, The Town Ain't Big Enough for the Both of Us. It's over the top glam with oddball lyrics...and that voice! I honestly love the entire album with a soft spot for Amateur Hour, Falling In Love With Myself Again & Equator. This album is in my usual rotation along with Angst In My Pants & The Number One Song In Heaven. I absolutely love this band & have seen them live twice. These guys are almost 80 and they're doing world tours with a new album that dropped this spring. This band brings me such joy that I cried at their show. They feel like the dorky older brokers I wish I had. I adore this band & this album.
I never knew just how many songs by Sparks I knew until I saw the documentary. I first heard "This Town Ain't Big Enough For Both Of Us" when Siouxsie and the Banshees covered it. Cool album.
"Kimono My House" is the third studio album by American rock band Sparks. Glam rock, art rock, progressive rock, pop rock and avant-pop. Yep, you could probaly throw in a few more too. The band relocated to the UK to record and take advantage of the glam scene. It work as it was their commercial breakthrough hitting #4 in the UK (#101 in the US). Sparks is essentially a duo with founding members and brothers Russell Mael (vocals) and Ron Mael (keyboards). The album was a shift in their sound being more pop and focused and had a new sound with a new band. It is considered one of Sparks' best work and best glam rock albums. The album opens with the first single "This Town Ain't Big Enough for Both of Us." A keyboard sounds like a piano, a glam rock sounding guitar and Russell's falsetto. A great guitar solo (there's a lot of these throughout). The beat changes. The protagonist keeps trying to ask women out but can't. A hypnotic guitar opens "Amateur Hour." A prominent bass comes in. The pace is fast and keeping getting faster. I think about growing up. We're off to a very good start. "Hasta Mañana, Monsieur" comes on hard. Pouncing piano keys. A very Bowie-esque glam guitar in the background. Nice melodies. These lyrics are hilarious; the guy is tangled up with talking to girls and foreign languages. A playful piano and bass open "Talent is an Asset." I think the rhythm section of Cheap Trick must have been here cause it sounds a lot like late 70's Cheap Trick. The album closer "Equator" is sultry with a mellotron sound like a sax. This is jazzy cabaret mixed with rock. Russell in his highest falsetto singing how horrid it is waiting for a girl to show up for a date. An interesting end with cross-criss lyrics/vocals with Russell and a girl. That girl might have been Russell? This album is unique, theatrical, dramatic and very good. Yeah, it's firmly in the glam rock genre but there's elements of cabaret, show tunes, rock, pop and prog. Of course, experimental. The pace is fast and charging. The musicianship is top notch. Everyone. The lyrics are interesting and at times very humorous. I heard Queen, Roxy Music, David Bowie, Cheap Trick and, yes, Rush in their music. I don't know if they influenced and were influenced by...doesn't matter. A high recommendation.
Kimono My House is the third album by American rock band Sparks. This glam/art/pop rock album was critically acclaimed at release and is considered the Sparks' breakthrough album as well as their best album. The Sparks' duo moved to the UK before recording this album and also shifted their music style to be more pop-oriented. This was a popular album in the UK, being certified gold and charting well along with its singles. I enjoyed this fun glam rock album for the most part. Nothing unique stuck out to me, but overall it was a decent album.
Sparks are incredible and this album is incredible. Tight and ferocious. Truly excellent.
Surely pretty interesting 4 3
It's always intersting hearing a good version of an genre you don't really enjoy. Have tried to like Sparks for some time but it just hasn't clicked. 2.5/5
Pretty weird album, but enjoyed the two listens. Unique sound, interesting lyrics.
Not sure how I felt about this if I'm honest. I think it was OK.
Edit: I wanted to seem cool for liking Sparks, but no one reads most of these reviews (although thank you to those who do, it feeds my ego). I enjoyed this album, but it's not worth a 4. I’ve surprisingly not listened to that much Sparks, but I really liked this. It was fun, different, and something I’ll definitely want to listen to again. On first listen, I think “Equator” is my favorite track, but I expect that could change as I listen to the album more. A solidly put together and cohesive album that I quite enjoyed.
If you like a bit of Prog in your Glam, this might be the album for you. A bit like if Boston merged with Roxy Music and started recording songs for carnival funhouses. An interesting starting point, but unfortunately this album seems to have only one gear: frenetic.
Solid
3/5 They weren't the worst but they weren't the best either. It felt like a European band that wanted to be Queen if that makes sense? So repetitive and too experimental for my sentiments.
4.0 - Broadway-infused glam rock but unlike Meat Loaf, this sounds campier, more self-aware and more fun. Lots of falsetto vocal lines paired with muscular guitar riffs. Standouts: “This Town…”, “Thank God It’s Not Christmas”, “Equator.”
truly an album you must listen to before you die
Wasn't a huge fan. First song was solid though
Wait till you see them perform it live.
High-concept album. A lot of falsetto. Quite interesting, but not really my thing
Interesting album but very eclectic
Dislike the vocals
Every time I hear it I fall more in love with this bizarre and beautiful album. The opening three tracks are possibly the greatest statement of intent in music history. Any one song contains multitudes. When you realise the pushy parent of Talent is an Asset might be Einstein's patent, it's both a great joke, and changes the whole song. I love it.
This one is just brazy song after song is a classic and that one two intro punch is unfathmobauly good
Love the instrumentals, went back and forth on the vocals. I like whatever they are doing with them, it is odd and unique, but sometimes I feel it can get a bit too stage-show for my tastes.
It's all a bit weird and is so in the trying-too-hard to be weird sense. It feels a bit forced at times, and that does a disservice to what are sometimes otherwise quite enjoyable tracks.
Love the energy, bounce, and wit. Good weird. The vocals eventually start to grate a little.
Some tunes I know beforehand, but this isn't great
Weird, 3.5 stars.
I don't what I was expecting, but it was a lot better than I was anticipating. Very theatrical sounding with lots going on with interesting unique songs. Promising enough for a repeat listen and maybe explore more from Sparks.
Sparks. The only band that can claim to have been a defining influence on both Queen and the Pet Shop Boys and it not be a ludicrous statement. Since watching Edgar Wright's excellent documentary 'The Sparks Brothers' I've fallen a little bit in love with Russ and Ron Mael. Sparks were my most listened artist on Spotify in 2022. Their innovative, idiosyncratic songs are always unique and often genre creating. I don't love all of their output, but that's the cost of constantly pushing the envelope. When Sparks are good, they are genius and their new music remains fresh, interesting and fun even today, more than half a century after their debut record. This, their 1974 third album, sees Sparks in early career glam rock mode, achieving their objective of being a 'British band'. It opens with their biggest hit, 'This Town Ain’t Big Enough for Both of Us', a rousing powerhouse of a song that tells the tale of a series of ridiculous imagined worst case scenarios. The rest of the album is similarly fun, grandiose and quirky. It includes songs about: -falling in love with your doppelganger; -annoyance at having to spend time with your partner over Christmas because all the bars are shut; -Romeo speaking to Juliette from heaven after she broke their pact; -lusting over a tour guide but not being able to converse due to a language barrier; -Albert Einstein and his overly proud parents; and -going to the equator to meet a date but not being able to find her. The mind of Ron Mael is an extraordinary thing, as is the voice of Russ, who's powerful falsetto characterises the album. Overall, this album is weird, over the top and very, very charming. Rating: 5/5 Playlist track: This Town Ain't Big Enough For Both Of Us Date listened: 12/07/23
Second time listening to this one. More interesting the second time in. Not just weird but has more layers to it.
Dit is vrij psychodelic en intens. Ik werd er eigenlijk een beetje kierewiet van.
This album is part of a very small exclusive club of albums I just couldn’t bring myself to finish.
I don’t think I “got” this one. I understand it may have been interesting and influential at the time, but this just didn’t click with me. A bit too artsy.
Muy peculiares. Parece un musical - cabaret. Y suena un poco chinokimono. Muchos agudos y bajadas de agudos. Venga, un 4 por novedosos.
Top songs: Amateur Hour, Thank God It’s Not Christmas (same, Hasta Manana, Monsieur, Talent Is An Asset, Equator and Lost and Found. I enjoyed all of this. Will definitely come back to it.
that's not a lady, that's a jewish man, baby. it's good. here in heaven, lost and found
Very fun glam rock, good instruments and vocals. 4.5/5 FS: This Town, Hasty Manana, Equator
I was a big Sparks fan in the 70s (I saw them at Coventry Theatre in November 1975) and this was the first album I had of theirs. The two singles are wonderful and there are other flashes of brilliance (Complaints). The whole album brims with likeable eccentricity but it wasn't until they teamed up with Tony Visconti a year later for 'Indiscreet" that they really hit their stride and upped the quality.
At first, the album sounded to me like a crazy Japanese music from some low-grade anime opening. I could barely listen to it. Now I can admit it’s interesting and theatrical. Anyway, I wouldn’t play it often or at least regularly, so it’s 3.
Songs were fun but something about those aristocratic sounding vocals is unforgivably cringe to me
Wild and weird and fun and I loved learning that our very own Susie rahn owns this album and is an OG Sparks fan 3/5
This is like if Abba and Queen had a baby. 4.3/5
Well we are certainly off to a start... This Town Ain't Big Enough For Both Of Us is a statement piece that sets the stage for what I expect to be an eclectic, prog-pop album. While it is certainly left of center in its composition, I find it well done. The shifting back and forth between the Yes-like guitar / drum / bass sections and the operatic falsetto are entertaining. Also the staccato delivery of the chorus is very interesting. Falling In Love With Myself Again once again features very Yes-flavored breakdowns. I like this song a lot. This album has all the markings of a sneaky 5 so far. Each song is brimming with energy and has creative elements that keep things entertaining. Perhaps I'm just a sucker for meaty bass, but this album gets me. I was having a hard time placing it earlier, but this feels like a much more interesting / effective Supertramp to me. Alright so I wrote that last comment at Hasta Manana, Monsieur. After that point, I feel like the album got a bit more tedious if not repetitive, which softened its overall intrigue. I still think this was a really surprisingly strong album and appreciated the uniqueness backed by solid instrumental work. 4 / 5
Not my sound, although the album features This Town Ain't Big Enough For Both Of Us.
fun? it felt kinda like ABBA
Eh, nothing offensive or to dislike, just didn't like it much either. 3
You probably only need one Sparks album, but this could be it. The arrangements, the production and the writing are all playful, funny and smart. Some of the classics are here, and I loved ‘Christmas’, which was new to me. I am late to the Sparks party, but I felt very welcome and this was an absolute romp from beginning to end,
The wiki entry describes this as glam. Really? It's in a genre all of its own. Completely bonkers, pulling in baroque and early electronica. It sounds like the drugs that were around at the time. The melodies are all there. Kimono is a pop album at heart. I wish Eurovision was still as utterly baffling as this.
I love the way this project helps me learn so much about when certain styles, genres, and approaches were prevalent in music. So much of what I thought or assumed turns out, no surprise, to be off. For example, if I had no information about it, I would have guessed this album -- I'd not heard of the band or heard any of their music -- was from much later than it is. Also, had I not read the Wikipedia article on the album and then on the band, I would have assumed the vocalists were the two people on the album cover. A lot of the singing is done in a high voice. It's not the kind of music I enjoy listening to, but I can appreciate how different and interesting it must have sounded to a lot of people in 1974.
Very good - especially for its time!
Cool and silly at the same time
It’s been a while since I rated an album 4 stars. I already knew and liked the first 2 songs, and although none of the other songs were really that good, I like Sparks in general and I think the album will grow on me in the future.
It's fun and kinda catchy, and at the same time irritating and gimmicky. Likely not something I will choose to listen to, but it fits a mood that I could get down with sometimes.
Such lovable weirdos. Like a way goofier version of Queen. They maintain such a ridiculously high energy level it just puts a smile on my face. Easily their best album.
Art rock as fuck. I can respect it but... I didn't really enjoy listening to it. That falsetto is crazy though.
I don't know if I didn't get it, but it's annoying. Not the worst thing ever, but far from the base quality of a great part of the albums on the 1001 list
Ladies and gentlemen, performing for you tonight, it's Lady Styx!!! Even though this band is full of men, it's somehow the lady version of Styx. That's just what it sounds like *shrug*. They're growers not showers so it may take you a few listens to settle in and acclimate to the frenetic glam rock assault you're about to experience. Enjoy the show!
Kinda feels like knockoff Queen tbh. It's fun though. The falsetto thing is a bit much for me personally but I can see the appeal.
Imperfect but really cool. the back half definitely started feeling more repetitive, but overall I quite liked this
It's one of Morrissey's favorite albums. And it turns out John Frusciante of the Chili Peppers was strongly influenced by it. We'll call it a wash.
Sparkly
This was fun. Never heard of them before.
Fun but a bit tiresome to listen to all at once. Better in small bites.
Wacky as fuck glam rock but your favorite band’s favorite band. Sparks’ greatest strength is their utter revelry in their weirdness (that and incredibly precise musicianship).
Eh
I would love this album if I was a different person. It's spontaneous yet well thought out.
Interesting.....
The falsetto bits sounded like a bad off-Broadway production. The rest was actually pretty decent, but too few and far between. Best track: Thank God It's Not Christmas
The heck was that
Too weird for me...
Strongly disliked
It’s quirky
This did nothing for me.
Un d'aquells discos reverenciats per la crítica que no tenen per on agafar-se. La inicial 'This Town Ain't Enough for the Two of Us' és realment bona. Un exercici de creativitat i d'experimentació amb un bon resultat final... però poca cosa més. La resta navega per l'histrionisme i la voluntat d'epatar, amb uns resultats més aviat pobres
Today's effort is particularly bland glam rock.
Glam rock works when it's a bit self-aware and leans into itself properly. This doesn't do that at all, really - The Darkness do a cover of that first track that is just much better, it goes full glam, and it sounds like they're having fun, whereas here it's a similar level of OTTness but without the sense that anyone is taking this anything other than 100% seriously. 2/5.
Whimsical and eccentric, this album has a lot of surprising notes to it. Everything from screeching guitar solos to silly, high pitched vocals, it almost comes off as a musical soundtrack sometimes. Interesting to learn about Sparks and who they've influenced, especially through this album. When I started this album, I thought this wasn't going to be my style at all, but it surprisingly grew on me in a way I didn't expect. Warrants a re-listen
This album fits perfectly in the upper echelons of the British glam rock scene. Funnily enough, Sparks are American, though at the time had relocated to England. The theatrical and campy nature of this album are undergirded by interesting often highly literate lyrics (it’s not often that you’ll hear Kant name dropped in popular music). I found this album to be so intriguing that I listened to it immediately after finishing it.
Sparks always bring such a unique spin to pop and rock music. This is not different. Bringing massive amounts of subtle beauty into each track while still having a little cut to their edge. Cool and crisp just as you’d like. These guys don’t miss.
Somehow und between all rock genres but mostly tied to glam-Pop. Sometimes a bit over the top but hey! What‘s glam supposed to be but other the top?!
I respect the hell out of Sparks and what they do. They have a fantastic look, a great sound that really helped shape post punk and indie and their songs are catch af. There is a clarity of vision around the project that really endears me to the brothers Sparks. But I think I'd have to be in a very specific mood that doesn't come about often to actually actively enjoy a Sparks album. There's just far too much falsetto and its just a touch too upbeat pop without letting up once (ironically also one of the reasons I respect it). It would probably speak to me more if they diverge to more repetitive bass heavy post-punk (not that they term existed at the time, but it was getting there) or a bit more Depeche mode esque synth pop. I think what I'm saying is I'd like the to be Krafterk but I'm aware that's a ridiculous opinion so just go ahead and pretend I didn't say anything. Ultimately, I respect it, I don't love it. But I'm so glad Sparks exist in this world.
Let’s go full Monty on this It’s never not surprising You can stop this record at almost any point and it would be almost impossible to predict what it would sound like 30 seconds later
Started off rough but got better as the album went on. Definitely some catchy, fun songs. There was some moments of cool musicianship, mainly thanks to Adrian Fisher and Dinky Diamond. Cool that Muff Winwood (Steve's older brother) produced it. Two stars just for these names. Honestly would've gotten another star or two if the guy just sang in his normal voice instead of falsetto the whole time, it sounded like the kimono ladies were singing for most of it.
First two songs start out great! Originally I thought it was not in English. I'm surprised this is from the 70's; it sounds like late 90s early 00s pop with some solid guitar mixed in. The rest of the songs sounds more like rock. Really unique and enjoyable album!
this album was barbacutie.
Some pretty good guitar. Sounded like a pretty silly album
This was a strange one. Felt like I could initially get into the songs but then would lose interest over the course of each one. High high's and low low's.
Just a week ago the generator gave me John Martyn and I mentioned that it was the most unique sound I had heard in a long time... So, Sparks are the most unique sound that I've heard in a week. There first two songs had me hopeful, but the album lost traction for me as it went on. For a little bit, the Sparks reminded me of Split Enz, but that was maybe for a song or two. The last two songs of the album got me interested again. Overall I liked, but did not love this. It was worth the listen, though.
Glam rock record that was better than I expected. Lots of cool breakdowns and change-ups.
Un disco que ingenta ser algo que no es. Independientemente es un disco y tiene su coherencia, no sabria que opinar sobre las letras porque no se les entiende nada es vergonzoso. La vibra no es mala pero es un disco que no me imagino reescuchandolo 4/10.
Peculiar for sure - hadn't really listened to Sparks before. Enjoyed it as part of this project, but not sure I'll go back.
Glam rock/pop that started strong, but somehow lost steam as there is not too much variation between the tracks. Still interesting to hear some kind of proto - New Wave sound from 1974. This Town Ain't Big Enough For The Both Of Us is easily the strongest track. 3.5/5
Liked it but probably not enough to buy it
Just like Roxy Music on the other side of the pond, I never could understand the appeal of this band that also played synth-enhanced glam/glitter rock (at least originally). Maybe Spark's music was too eccentric and complex for me. I sort of doubt this, however: I usually *like* pop rock when it's eccentric and complex... So... That said, this here is the perfect occasion to discover what's so good in this band: the lyrics. Opener "This Town Ain't Big Enough for Both Of Us" is a hilarious opener about a love story turning into a surreal western-like duel, "Amateur Hour" is one the funniest song about sex I've ever heard, with snarly oblique lyrics that get me every time: "It's a lot like playing the violin / You cannot start off to be Yehudi Menuhin / Amateur hour goes on and on / And when you turn pro you know / She tells you so" . Lively "Talent Is An Asset" is about Albert Einstein as a child, with a fun pun on "relative(s)" at some point. And "Up Here In Heaven"'s whole 'what if' concept is a riot (what if Juliet betrayed Romeo at the eleventh hour and chose *not* to die--wouldn't Romeo's heaven in the sky turn into hell?). Fittingly, there's also a *biting* aspect to the music that perfectly illustrates this tale of woe and ironic despair, and it makes this banger going haywire a keeper, both lyrically and musically. Finally, to give one last example of what's so fun in Sparks' lyrics, there's that line in "Hasta Mañana Monsieur": "You mentioned Kant and I was shocked / You know, where I come from / None of the girls have such foul tongues". 🤣 All of those tunes are obvious highlights, but there are other relevant tracks as well: take "Thank God It's Not Christmas" for instance. This one has nice melodies and an effective chorus. "Barbecutie" is pretty fun as well, with its loud bassline and heavy guitar riff on the chorus. And the next track, "Lost and Found" is a cool capper for the whole thing. Odd that those three tracks are rarely the ones that are singled out by fans of this album, at least as far as I can tell. As for the rest of the songs, I can't say that they're bad, but I first need to get more acquainted with the rest of Sparks' very *long* discography to decide if *Kimono My House* can truly become a favorite of mine (which will take a little bit of time). I'm a little wary of Dimery's list when it focuses on "commercial breakthrough" LPs. For the bands or artists that I know well, it often means that truly significant records are left aside, and since I'm only warming up to Sparks now, I don't want to miss something good in that long list of albums... Number of albums left to review: 620 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 186 Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 86 (including this one, most probably) Albums from the list I will certainly *not* include in mine (many others are more essential to me): 115
Weird and not super great
“Man, this lead singer sure is talented. I wonder what else she’s done…” *One Google search later* “Huh? She’s a DUDE?!” Funny diatribe aside, this album remains one of the most unique listens you’ll hear pertaining to Glam Rock. Specifically, this album is the product of fusing Glam with its similarly grandiose, posturing cousin: progressive rock. Side B may lose a bit of energy, but played together the whole album’s a real treat. A combination of technically skilled musicianship including rhythmic syncopation and cheeky wordplay about love, loss, and family never fail to crack a smile from even a rock. Sing along if you dare. It’s almost as hard as singing along to Peter Hammil. Standout Songs: “This Town Ain’t Big Enough For Both Of Us” “Amateur Hour” “Here in Heaven” “Hasta Mañana, Monsieur”
No
Interesting. Don’t know how this always flew under my radar. Feels like Queen meets Cheap Trick. Album art looks like it’s from the 21st century. Not in love with it but happy I know it now
Surprisingly good!
solid, some catchy tunes.
Weird as hell but very fun and sonically refreshing
The near-constant falsetto is exhausting.
A bit weird - recognized the opening track.
This was weird, but kinda worked for me
Fun upbeat music. Good for working dogs in the morning! I enjoyed it.
omg i like tha sparks
a weird European pop(?) album not Japanese like the album name
3.75
Perfect and really fucking unique 5/5.
Upptäckte Sparks på Trazan & Banarne och lyckades spela in några låtar från radion och från någon kompis storebror. Egen avancerad pop som fortfarande håller.
The album was alright. It was catchy at times. I don't think I remember any of the songs. I will round up.
I love this, its weird but great
Loud and bombastic, as much a thrill-ride now than when it was released 49 years ago!
80s before the 80s were the 80s
everyone wanted to be the beatles
I first heard of Sparks last year when Edgar Wright's documentary came out. The trailer claimed something along the lines of "your favorite band that you've never heard of!" I made a mental note to check them out, but life got in the way, and that mental note got tossed in the mental garbage can. After listening to this album, I can say that I'm glad I didn't go out of my way to listen to Sparks before now. Instrumentally, the album was great. It's crazy to me that this was recorded in the '70's, because it sounds like the new wave music that was coming out in the early '80's. But I just couldn't get past the vocals on this album. I didn't like the falsetto singing at all, and I wish I had something more concrete to say about why I didn't like it, but I just didn't. I understand why this album and Sparks as a whole are so important to music, but it just wasn't for me.
One song in this style is great, 2 is annoying, a full album is torture. They’re trying too hard to be original. It sounds incoherent and unnatural. Favorite song: this town ain’t big enough for the both of us.
Cool, but not really my thing.
Pretty strange, kind of heard a queen influence but I liked this more than the queen we’ve heard. Altogether pretty down the middle.
operatic, abstract and dense Bowie/Queen/falsetto-y glam rock. definitely deserves to be on this list. 3.75/5
Glam Sparksified. The band still hasn't sunk their teeth into me, but Kimono has a decent build and no stand-out features in the wrong direction.
A gem in this book. I fell in love with them partly to do with this album being here.
didn’t finish it but i plan to, fun lil songs and the lead singers voice is silly
What sounds like a breath of fresh air in the first few songs turns into dreadful monotony. No real evolution between the songs just the same idea stretched further and further. Select songs i’ll go back to but no substance here other then that.
1st time I had heard of Sparks... though had heard This Town... before. Not too long, lots of fun.
Uplifting pop on the verge of disco. Slightly unhinged. I'm not getting the glam rock, but it does feel ahead of it's 1974 year. Slightly resembles Roxy Music or Supertramp. Ok-ish.
Very weird and not very good. The world is better for Sparks existing, but I'm not a huge fan. Better than a lot of the dross on the list, but not by much.
Har vært nysgjerrig på detta albumet, og må sei da leverte
I didn’t love this album. I can easily believe that it was hugely influential, but this vibe has never really gelled with me. It kinda falls into that zone of the Talking Heads where I feel like I should like it
Ekan biisin jälkeen toivekas olo!!!! PASKAA PASKAA PASKAA harmi.. japanilaisiin ehdin ihastua..
Me hizo acordar a Supertramp. Setentoso, raro pero divertido.
Although frequent and repeated listening is liable to drive me crazy, I very much enjoyed this album, where pretty much every track has its own distinct and developed sound. A noble addition to the world glam/pop rock.
Fun, naturally.
Tosi mielenkiintoista, vähän Queen tulee mieleen kitarasta joka menee samassa melodiassa laulun kanssa. Ekalla kappaleella kappaleet kuullostaa vähän liian samalta, eikä mikään erityisesti erotu joukosta. Parhaat kappaleet muutenkin on alku päässä. Levy kyllä ansaitsee uuden kuuntelun.
no
Way, way better than I expected it to be. Most glam rock is appearance over substance, but this album showcases both and its weirdness is something that I believe influenced many other artists.
Still need to watch that movie
HL: "Falling in Love With Myself Again", "This Town Ain't Big Enough For the Both of Us", "Here in Heaven", "Amateur Hour", "Thank God It's Not Christmas", "Lost and Found" "Falling in Love..." was a morning alarm for me a few times in 2022, and I've seen the documentary the Sparks Brothers, yet this is the 1st time I've listened to Kimono My House front to back. Super likable album, a 4 for now but maybe a 5 tomorrow. I do think the songs are a little better in the first half, but I can't find any filler. The tongue stays firmly in tongue throughout, which I understand is a Sparks trademark. January 5, 2023
This was such a hard album to rate. At one moment, I'm listening to great 70s rock that compares favorably with early glam rock, Queen, and other parallel influences. The next moment I want to punch a song in the face for its pretentious wankery. I split the difference at 3 stars.
Wild stuff. This album went by in a blur. Sounds like the product of a band equally obsessed with rock, musical theater and music theory. The songs rocket along, always with a lot going on, but there’s a cheerful theatricality that lightens the busy music. I’m not sure I’ve found my way into the music in terms of enjoying it yet but I do respect its madness.
Really weird intro song. Very unconventional and intriguing in many ways. I don't know if i loved it, but I was definitely interested in pulling it apart and trying to better understand it. I like the guitar playing and the structure. The vocals are weird and feel kind of overly theatrical at times but I don't usually dislike that sort of thing. The second track, "Amateur Hour" I really liked. Another weird one but was fun and the melody stuck in my head even after I left the room to get more coffee. "Falling in Love With Myself Again" continued the weird theatrics but I like it! The guitar breaks really caught me off guard and seemingly don't repeat too much so they just kind of come and go and I dig it. "Hasta Manana, Monsieur" has a really great sleezy guitar riff. "Complaints" has some fantastic moments, like the guitar solo along with the short stabbing all-band stops in the middle of the track. The more I listen to this album the more I like it and the more I find that I like how eclectic it is. It's plenty cohesive but still so diverse in the songwriting that each track feels different in a good way. How manic does "Equator" sound? Same with "Barbecutie". The repeating chorus was cool in Equator but it started to get annoying in Barbecutie.
Pretty fun listen good songs.
This is weird but not terrible I guess.
Kinda just meh. Some interesting ideas but the vocals get pretty annoying with the overly dramatic/theatric style. 4/10
Boys groove.
Probably my favourite Sparks album, and a whole lot of fun. Highlights are This Town... (obviously), Amateur Hour, and Talent is an Asset. Some of the songs can go on a bit long (looking at you, Equator) but on the whole it's a great record
Oh my gosh, what a perfect (albeit late) Christmas gift! My significant other got assigned this album a few months ago, and we've both been in love with Sparks every since! I adore Russell's voice, so much so that he's one of my favourite vocalists, and Ron's songwriting is amazing and witty, which really shines through on this record. The instrumentation on this is perfect to me. I'm sad that this doesn't have a higher rating, but I do understand that this might not sound good to some people. To me, however, this is a flawless album. It is banger after banger. It might even be my new favourite album, I love it so much. I'm also sad that Sparks doesn't have any more albums on here, but at least they have this one It's incredibly difficult to pick favourites on this album when every song is so amazing, but I'd say my favourite songs were Hasta Manana, Monsieur, Falling In Love With Myself Again, and Equator.
This one was pretty far out there. Technically an early iteration of Glam Rock I suppose. And there seem to be a lot of possibly French singing. Either way many of the songs were catchy.
This had some interesting ideas, it was definitely fresh and there were some cool experiments with dissonant sounds. The singer’s voice was really weird but had a definitely charisma to it. but, certainly it’s the kind of thing that makes huge waves in Britain and doesn’t have a ton of appeal elsewhere (peak USA chart position was 101) So, as usual I could’ve done without the part that sounded like carnival music. 6/10
7/10. Reasonably interesting glam rock
Very odd and not all of it stuck but I appreciate this much more than some generic 70s or 90s album. Equator doesn’t really sound like a word anymore though. 6/10
This is wonderfully weird, over the top, and so much fun.
This was an odd one. I kinda didn’t want to like it, but it was upbeat and a little bit fun. So I guess I kinda did end up liking it.
Quirky and fun. Liked it just fine.
The cover made me think this could be weird and wacky, and it is. These guys are glam rock set just a little off-kilter. I really liked it!
I really can't say I liked it and there are really way too many bands of this genre on this list, but the lyrics were clever and the songs were inventive so I can't really pan it too much. Still, not putting this one back on any time soon.
Tons of fun songs here, started off okay, got great in the middle, and was good to end. Really liked this
kinda weird, i bet they love cabaret
New Artist! Not for me! 1/5
Glam rock
Not my cup of tea. Easy pass for me.
"This Town Ain't Big Enough for the Both of Us" is one of those sensational songs I can never get out of my head. It's crazy in the best sense of the word. The rest of the album drags on, though, even if I do appreciate the artistic statement it sought to make.
Was dreading this one a few seconds in, but came to regret that early impression pretty quickly. This LP mixes equal parts bombast and whimsy to wild success, managing somehow to take its antiquated vocals and make them sound tastefully retro atop heavy layers of sharp, angular guitar. A real out-of-left-field find that I know for a fact I’ll be returning to!
I have no idea...we know that I like weird, but it has to be good weird. I think this is good weird, but I'm honestly not sure. It's very Queen-esque in some parts. In other parts, it's, um, I don't know. I liked it? I think?
I mean, I reallllly wanted to like this. Uptempo, piano, like a more rockin' Abba. But those vocals... by the third song I'd forgotten the cool hooks and energy and just wanted to sing along, alllll-lalalalala-haaAAAAA-yayayayaya... YAH!
This sounded like nothing else on the radio in 1974 when I bought this album (they looked like no other band as well). Elements of glam Bowie and Roxy Music, while predating some of the theatricality of Kate Bush. I was all in hook, line and sinker. This is still one of their best. Great melodies (and lots of twists and turns along the way) and very witty lyrics. For me too many highlights to mention, although This Town Isn't Big Enough, Hasta Manana Mousier and Talent Is an Asset are standouts. Loved this in 1974, still do.
Couldn’t get past the second song. Hated what I heard.
This was not for me. It sounded too much like musical theater. The guitar solos were actually great but they did not seem to fit the rest of the album. The singing was bad, and sounded only slightly better than Yoko. I will almost certainly never listen to this ever again.
Surprised I wasn't already familiar with this band. I liked it a lot. Shades of Queen and Bowie. Will listen again. 4 stars.
Was there a strange trend of English rock bands using Japanese tunes, lyrics and imagery in their music during the '70s to '80s, and did this record start the trend? Between this, Turning Japanese, and Mr. Roboto the similarities are weirdly uncanny. Anyway, this was fun & pretty danceable. There are hints of Queen or The Darkness in the album's campy, glam rock sound. Nothing spectacular, though. Standout tracks are Falling In Love with Myself Again, Thank God It's Not Christmas, and Hasta Manana, Monsieur.
Wacky vibes. Iets tussen Händel, David Bowie en Frank Zappa
Thought the singer was a Japanese woman, but it's just some guy California! Fooled me, the dude has a very unique voice and he uses it well. I remember liking the first two and last two tracks a lot, but the middle is kind of muddy. I'll probably listen to this again when I'm in the correct mood. Strong 3 out of five.
This might be my first time listening to a full Sparks album (at least the first one since seeing the Edgar Wright documentary). I think what the doc made click in for me is that (70's era at least) Sparks are like a slightly artier version of poppier Queen. This Town Ain't Big Enough For The Both Of Us is a highlight. Listening to the whole album, I think it reinforces my idea after the documentary that I appreciate Sparks more than I like them (and that is probably because I was hearing all the artists they influenced long before I listened to the originals). Other than Bowie and some T. Rex, for glam adjacent stuff I'm usually more of a song/hit person, and that's kinda seems to be the case here too. Still a good album, and if I do a deeper dive on Sparks, this is probably the right starting point.
What an album! Takes me back to 74 when I played this to death. Saw them on tour at the time too, supported by Pilot. Not played it for awhile, but this will be remedied immediately!
Fun, simple glam rock