Sparks’ eponymous 1971 debut presents the singular compositional, lyrical and singing voices of Ron and Russell Mael fully formed. Originally released under the moniker Halfnelson, Sparks’ prescient debut prefigures Queen, power pop, and especially Southern California’s late ’70s skinny-tie explosion. It’s a landmark of Todd Rungren’s early production career, and clearly the backing band of brothers Earle and Jim Mankey brought Sparks’ pop idiosyncrasies to their later work with The Dickies, The Quick and 20 / 20. Infectious, daring, and delightfully flaunting camp theatricality throughout, Sparks is the first installment in an unparalleled series of some of the decade’s most classic albums. Careening melodies soar through space-detritus electronics on the strikingly original “Roger,” which evokes the early solo work of Brian Eno, but the deranged art-rock closing track “(No More) Mr. Nice Guys” is the unequivocal classic of Sparks’ early career and a staple of the band’s live set ever since. Rundgren’s restrained production wisely sets the Mael brothers at the fore of Sparks. With just subtly treated cymbal flourishes keeping the pace, album opener “Wonder Girl” is pared down and mixed to showcase two things: Ron’s twinkling piano trill and Russell’s fluttering high-register. As Rundgren perceived, and a multi-decade career confirms since, their fraternal chemistry is a consummate force.
LP $20.25
11/25/2016
Following the release of their box set New Music for Amnesiacs: The Ultimate Collection, Sparks present a condensed, career-spanning double-CD selection entitled New Music for Amnesiacs: The Essential Collection. One of the most influential bands in pop, Sparks have been at the forefront of music for more than four decades, beginning with the glam rock of the early ’70s, through their reinvention as an electronic pop duo collaborating with Giorgio Moroder, to the startling baroque rock / pop of the last decade. Their frequently changing styles and visual presentations have kept them on the cutting edge of modern artful pop music. Ron and Russell Mael are held in esteem by such bands and performers as Morrissey, MGMT, Sonic Youth, Arcade Fire, Björk and Depeche Mode, all of whom have cited Sparks as a major influence. Starting with their first album, originally released under the band’s former name Halfnelson, and concluding with tracks from 2008’s Exotic Creatures of the Deep, these 40 songs provide the perfect introduction to, and celebration of, this extraordinary band’s career.
2XCD $20.25
12/17/2013
Dick Around is the first US single from Sparks' latest album Hello Young Lovers. The brothers Mael insisted from the get-go that the track was their choice for a single and In The Red are honoring their wishes, releasing a radio edit that pares down the seven-minute album version to a three-and-a-half-minute bombastic rocker. "If the public were only allowed to hear one song from the new album," says Ron Mael, "I have no doubt that 'Dick Around' would be the one selected to best encapsulate the spirit and scope of our new work." The track is featured on a seven-inch vinyl edition -- backed by a live version of "Hospitality On Parade" recorded May 20 at The Avalon in Hollywood -- and on CD accompanied by three different live tracks, an alternate version of "(Baby Baby) Can I Invade Your Country," an interview with Ron and Russell conducted by Steve Jones of the Sex Pistols and two videos. This is an absolute must-have for any Sparks fan.
7" $4.00
10/31/2006
CDEP $9.50
10/31/2006
*** On their incomparable new album, Sparks protest predictability, obliterate the ordinary and demand utmost respect. Hello Young Lovers is cinematic, bold, and lyrically liberal, with moments of sheer beauty, dissonance and harmony. It may not win a Grammy, but an Oscar’s not out of the question. Never, never, has there been an auditory assault of such magnitude presented in the realm of pop music. When SparksÕ last album Lil’Beethoven hit the streets critics lauded and applauded, fans smiled smugly with overdue vindication and fellow musicians wept when faced with the reality that, once again, Sparks had raised the bar by which all other albums should be judged. Now the Angeleno brothers, Ron and Russell Mael present Hello Young Lovers, their twentieth album. To achieve such enormity and expansiveness they worked in a limitless vacuum for the best part of eighteen months. The only inspiration taken from any current music was the provocation to go as far as possible in the opposite direction. When writing and recording Lil’ Beethoven, Sparks broke the rules, but in creating Hello Young Lovers the rule book has been thrown away. Once again, the Angelenos are joined by Tammy Glover on drums and guitarist Dean Menta with special guests Jim Wilson on guitar and Steve McDonald on bass. The resulting album is an extraordinary masterpiece.
LP $12.00
05/09/2006
CD $12.00
03/21/2006