On my voyage through all the Sparks albums, some of which I haven’t heard in 20 or 30 years, here is my review of ‘Propaganda’.
It’s incredible that this album came out like six months after ‘Kimono’. They must not have even toured? I don’t understand it. It seems to have not done as well as an album; though strangely it seems as if it did better in the U.S.
1. Propaganda
Fun vocal pastiche with a little keyboard gluing it all together. It’s hardly a song so I’m not going to rate it, but it’s a fun album starter. I like the expanded version they did much later in their career.
2. At Home, At Work, At Play
Very dense arrangement. I find this song a little bit overwhelming, which I think is the point. He just can’t catch up with this super-busy dripping wet person. The album itself sounds exactly like ‘Kimono’. It sounds okay, but still not great. It sounds like Russel is singing in a closet. I’d really like to see all of these records re-released with some work done to them, but it’s probably a pipe dream. 8/10.
3. Reinforcements
This is a type of song that Sparks will come back to a lot, and I think this is the first of them (‘Here comes Bob’ might qualify). It’s like a Ray Davies or a Paul McCartney ‘granny’ song turned up to 11. All of them work for me. I like the background vocals. Musically this album isn’t anywhere near as complicated as the one that came before it, but it’s sure fun. 9/10.
4. B.C.
I can’t hear this song and not think of that video where Russel is dressed like he skied into the club just long enough to sing a couple of songs, then skied off. I love this song, and find myself singing it all of the time. Weird tinkly keyboard parts. 10/10.
5. Thanks but no Thanks
Straight up power pop with a fantastic, powerful chorus. The weak point of this album in general are some of the keyboard tones that were chosen. They just don’t gel as well with the mix as the prior album. This is still a really good song. I like the ascending key changes. 9/10.
6. Don’t leave Me alone with Her
This is totally a song that could have been on ‘Kimono’. It’s less of a straight up arrangement than the other songs on here. Great keyboard and guitar tones, and the bass is more present on this song. 10/10.
7. Never turn Your Back on Mother Earth
This sounds like it should have been a huge hit in 1974. Spinal Tap’s ‘(Listen to the) Flower People’ reminds me of this song. More great Mellotron and guitar tones. I think most people at the time I’m writing this would hate this song, but I love it. ‘Well I admit I was unfaithful, but from now I’ll be more faithful’). 10/10.
8. Something for the Girl with Everything.
Frenetic, very funny song, with Russel swinging for the fences again with his delivery. More tinkly keyboard sounds that I think could have been improved upon, but that’s the only fault I can find with it. 10/10.
9. Achoo
This song is incomprehensible to me. ‘I do hope that he makes you well…say, is there any cure for hell?’ Very strange. I like it well enough, but it’s not a favorite. I find the last third of the song annoying, which brings it down a point. 6/10.
10. Who Don’t Like Kids
I like this song well enough. Not much to the chorus, but half the song is just ‘Who don’t like kids?’. 7/10. That may be a point too high.
11. Bon Voyage
Fun album closer. I get almost a ‘Sound of Music’ vibe from it. ‘Saunter up the Gangway!’. Or maybe Gilbert and Sullivan. Didn’t Martin Gordon cover ‘Captain of the Pinafore’? Maybe it’s his influence. 8/10.
Another great album. I get the feeling it was a little rushed and falls off a little at the end, but enough great stuff on here to keep anyone happy. Album rates 8.8/10. Next up ‘Indiscreet’.