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Squeezing Out Sparks is the fourth studio album by English singer-songwriter Graham Parker and his band the Rumour. The album was released in March 1979. Although the Rumour were not credited on the cover, their name was included on the album label. Critically acclaimed, Squeezing Out Sparks was voted album of the year in The Village Voice's year-end Pazz & Jop critics' poll and later ranked number 334 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time. Whereas Parker's previous albums were notable for their strong soul influences, with many prominent tracks and singles including a horn section, on Squeezing Out Sparks producer Jack Nitzsche favoured a rawer sound. Coincidentally, popular punk band the Clash were undergoing a reverse process, trying to expand their musical arrangements. Therefore, the Rumour's rhythm and blues session players went on to record all the horn parts in the Clash's third and praised record London Calling.
He reminded me a bit of Elvis Costello, he has a good rock vibe in some songs, moving in a sixties-seventies style for being from the late seventies. However, I don't think any hit stands out.
Solid.
Is this where Alex Turner and Miles Kane got their inspiration? I liked this album. Sounds very timeless
Enjoyable new wave - very much in the style of Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Nick Lowe, Elvis Costello. Added kudos for veering too far towards punk.
Rating: 7/10 Best songs: Local girls, Nobody hurts you, Passion is no ordinary word
This was a great New Wave album that managed to keep a little punk edge. It reminded me a lot of Elvis Costello as well. It had a great sense of melody and the extended album with the live versions of the songs was great as well. I listened to it twice.
I really wanted to give this a four as I like Graham Parker for the most part, but this was a little on boring side to me. Boring as in it was 10 tracks (not including the live versions that were way better) that were more or less a continuation of the same exact style. Almost like 1 song with different movements. 3.5/5 for me, but downgrading to 3. The live songs on the "Live Sparks" version of the album are way better, but grading on the album versions only.
Representative of a very particular genre of English bloke-rock. Typically the vocals are the weakest link. An amiable enough listen but nothing really stood out for me.
It was alright. For some reason I was expecting Graham Parsons and some country-rock. This was okay, but probably not something I'll listen to again. 3 stars.
1 Elvis Costello but good 3 Though some songs are real fckn repetetive. Saturday nite us dead! Saturday nite us dead! Saturday nite us dead! Saturday nite us dead! Saturday nite us dead!
Odd little bit of pub rock. A few songs weren't available on Spotify, but what was left was kinda fun. Took a minute to get used to. Local girls was a bit of a banger. 3/5.
Catchy, well written songs, but I feel like I've heard enough new wave albums to last me a lifetime. -0.5 for referring to U.F.Os and 'youfohs' like my Dad. Rating: 2.5 Playlist track: Local Girls Date listened: 03/09/24
Some solid 70s rock instrumentals aren’t enough to keep this feeling like some copycat Costello – vocal antics do nothing for me but incite rage, so the repetitive choruses and kooky delivery didn’t do much here to improve the LP’s standing.
I think I can safely say, nah. I don't really need this in the list.
Mmmmhh just ok