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 ‘Sparks’.
I heard this album long, long after it was released; this is something that just wouldn’t have been easily available pre-internet. Sonically it sounds like a lot of albums released in 1972, i.e., not very good. Drums are hardly present, the vocals sound like they’re in a completely different space than the rest of the instruments. It’s not a knock on the band, for some reason after the brilliant records of the 60s, records in the early 70s sound…cheap. It also sounds very…new wave? In 1972? Did Sparks create New Wave music?
1. Wonder Girl
What a strange choice for the album opener. Weird tremolo all over the guitar part. Russel has found his voice right from the very first song, it’s pretty breathtaking. Songwriting wise I feel all through this album that the band hasn’t quite found its voice yet though. 7/10.
2. Fa La Fa Lee
Much more energy than the first song. It would probably have made a better opener, though maybe a song title with nonsense words would have been something they (or their management) didn’t want. I like the way it goes into half-time in the middle of the song. The keyboard is VERY upfront in this song, and it’s such a weird, tinkly little part. The distorted bass is very 70s. 7/10.
3. Roger
Their first album has always struck me as being such a strange record. The singing always sounds to me like someone from Germany that spent most of their life in England. Musically the song is mostly tons of layered, mostly strange sounding keyboard parts, and an acoustic guitar. Very strange lyrics, and a VERY strange song ending. I don’t know how to rate this at all, it’s just so out there:) I’ll stick with 7/10 I guess.
4. High C
This is the first song lyrically that seems like Sparks to me. Musically I like it a lot, it’s driving, funny, and I love the vocals. 8/10.
5. Fletcher Honorama
Was Pink Floyd in the studio recording ‘Ummagumma’ at the same time they were recording this song? I don’t actually know what year ‘Ummagumma’ was recorded, and I’m not about to look it up. I’ve never known what to think about this song. It’s kind of…relaxing and unpleasant at the same time. Unsettling. I haven’t the slightest idea what this song is about…Fletcher Honorama seems to be a name? Who’s the boy about to die? So strange, and a completely unrateable song. I could easily see this being someone’s favorite song, especially if they were HAF. 7/10 for weirdness.
6. Simple Ballet
I’m a sucker for 3/4 time. I’ve always looked at this album as sort of a ‘pre-Sparks’ album (which it really is I guess) and it’s never been in my top tier, but this time around it’s sucking me in. I wish I knew how this was received when it was released. There’s such little information out there…Wikipedia says ‘Wonder Girl’ was a minor hit in Alabama, which in itself is very weird. 7/10.
7. Slowboat
This is the song from this album that sticks most in my head. It’s much more bombastic than the other tracks. Very identifiable, hooky chorus, then followed by weird tremolo keyboard parts. I love the singing on this song. Unfortunately, sonically the song itself sounds terrible. It sounds like I’m listening to a stereo that’s in the next room behind a closed door. 9/10.
8. Biology 2
This song sounds like something that would be on a Ween album. I need to go and listen to ‘The Pod’ to make sure that it actually isn’t on there. This is another completely unrateable song. I was smiling through the whole thing, so there’s that. Thematically reminds me of ‘Tryouts for the Human Race’. The ending of the song is totally a Ween ending; I never realized how much those guys must have listened to Sparks. 6/10 I guess.
9. Saccharin and the War
What in the world is this song? ‘The Doctors stood by the gold cross’. So weird 🙂 7/10.
10. Big Bands
Sounds like something from an American version of ‘The Village Green Preservation Society’. It’s pretty charming; earnest and honest sounding. I like the time signature/tempo change; the singing and melody after that are the most new wave sounding thing ever. 8/10.
11. (No More) Mr. Nice Guys
Completely different than every other song on the album. Guitar riff that could have been on a Queen album. This actually (I know I keep comparing to other bands, but it feels unavoidable) sounds like a Queen song, ‘The Fairy Feller’s Master Stroke’ or something, with a ‘Keep Yourself Alive’ riff. Though this preceded Queen by a few years at least. Was this album a hit in England? 8/10.
Sparks feels like a band like Big Star; a band that influenced lots of other bands, but most people have never heard of. This is a strange, strange album that at the same time is compelling and enjoyable. I think it would be best listened to at night, alone, in the dark, lying down. Album rates 7.4/10. Next up, ‘A Woofer in Tweeter’s Clothing’.