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DEzerov View Drop Down
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Points: 340 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: Sparks anyone?
    Posted: October 20 2005 at 16:09
The Mael Brothers (Ron and Russell) have been making quirky, interesting albums with very disturbing lyrics since the late 60's-early 70's as Sparks (and one earlier one as Halfnelson). I have always considered their big three, Kimono My House, Propaganda, and Indiscreet, to be some of best art rock offerings ever - on par with Roxy Music, Be Bop Deluxe and 10cc. They certainly had prog leanings...Any comments?
        
         


PS: anyone heard their latest, Lil Beethoven?


Edited by DEzerov
The moon is made by some lame cooper and you can see the idiot has no idea about moons at all - Nikolay Gogol
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limeyrob View Drop Down
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Points: 1402 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 20 2005 at 16:17

Hi

I bought Kimono on vinyl when it was first released and recently Propaganda and Indiscrete on CD. Whether they are prog I'll leave to others better informed than myself but I certainly play them from time to time when the mood takes me. Good for a smile but a bit quirky.
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Moogtron III View Drop Down
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Points: 10616 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 20 2005 at 16:21

Yes!!!! Love them! Kimono My House is fantastic, and This Town Ain't Big Enough For The Both Of Us and Amateur Hour are some of the best hit singles of 1974!

Do you know that they recorded Kimono My House on a boat on the North Sea because of union problems? And that Ron Mael (or Russell? the lead singer anyway) was actually sea sick when he sang the vocals for This Town? I read that yesterday in an interview.
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Cinema View Drop Down
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Points: 493 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 20 2005 at 16:24
Originally posted by DEzerov DEzerov wrote:



The Mael Brothers (Ron and Russell) have been making quirky,
interesting albums with very disturbing lyrics since the late
60's-early 70's as Sparks (and one earlier one as Halfnelson). I have
always considered their big three, Kimono My House, Propaganda, and
Indiscreet, to be some of best art rock offerings ever - on par with
Roxy Music, Be Bop Deluxe and 10cc. <span style="font-weight:
bold;">They</span> certainly had prog leanings...Any comments?
            ; 
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B00000740D.01._SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg"> 


PS: anyone heard their latest, Lil Beethoven?



I certainly agree, and have always been amazed that they're not included
here in ProgArchives. Then again, I'm also surprised 10cc isn't included.

'Kimono My House' has been one of my favorite albums for many, many
years.
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Tony Fisher View Drop Down
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Points: 967 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 20 2005 at 16:43

If Radiohead and Queen are in, Sparks and 10cc are bolt on certainties to qualify.

Both did one huge album (Kimono My House and Sheet Music respectively) and several more good ones.
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yargh View Drop Down
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Points: 421 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 20 2005 at 17:10
I've always been highly annoyed by Sparks.  They have one good album, though -- No. 1 in Heaven, a disco album produced by the legendary Georgio Moroder.  For the most part, though, they're smarmy and pretentious.  And they supposedly influenced Queen, which should be reason enough to hold a grudge.
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gr8dane View Drop Down
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Points: 1127 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 23 2005 at 14:51

Sure,I like 'em too.Specially the Kimono,Propaganda and Indiscreet.

I would not call them prog.Quirky pop.

When they arrived with Kimono,they sure were a breath of fresh air.

Saw them at that tour and it was enjoyable.

Still play them every now and again.
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Snow Dog View Drop Down
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Points: 32995 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 23 2005 at 15:00
I used to have Propaganda........Great album.......plus "This Town Ain't big enough..."is one of the best singles....ever
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Mategra View Drop Down
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Points: 592 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 24 2005 at 02:33

Sparks were one of my first favourite bands. I have got everything up to "Introducing Sparks" (1977). I ceased to buy their albums when they started to collaborate with G. Moroder.

"Lil' Beethoven" (2002) is a magnificent "back-to-form" album, definitely one of their best ever.

But the debut album is still their best (one of my all-time favourite desert island albums!).
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