Sparks - C ou D

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Thanks--And it's written entirely in TypoScript.

Ian Grey (Ian_G), Saturday, 10 April 2004 13:11 (twenty-two years ago)

Recently discovered 'The Japanese Have Come And They Bought My Number One' by the Maels. Only available on The Hell Collection but it's fantastic. From the early 90s, about a rich businessman stealing R. Mael's girlfriend from him, complete with a killer chorus. I'm sharing it on Ssk if anyone's interested.

Ian SPACK (Ian SPACK), Saturday, 10 April 2004 13:27 (twenty-two years ago)

The Hell Collection

A fine disc, that, as you can see here.

Ned Raggett (Ned), Saturday, 10 April 2004 13:46 (twenty-two years ago)

Out of curiosity, what are Ron and Russell's marital statuses these days? I can't imagine them ever dating anyone ever, just sitting at home bringing cups of tea for each other and eyeballing Morrissey over the garden fence. Having said that, a good percentage of their songs are bitter little ditties about other guys getting girls and not our heroes. Ned, you're the oracle, what's the scandal?

Ian SPACK (Ian SPACK), Saturday, 10 April 2004 15:12 (twenty-two years ago)

Their private life is just that! I have a couple of odd suppositions here and there but pretty much they've got their comfy Hollywood Hills home and whatever goes on...goes on.

Ned Raggett (Ned), Saturday, 10 April 2004 15:18 (twenty-two years ago)

Aw, I'm glad really. My idyllic view of them remains.

Ian SPACK (Ian SPACK), Saturday, 10 April 2004 15:23 (twenty-two years ago)

a) am I the only one who has heard/owns the Ron and Russell produced disco 12" Dancing is Dangerous by Noel on Virgin?

and if not, b) am th only one who thinks there is no such person as Noel and the song is just Russell singing in a low voice then sped up? Even the picture of "noel" on the label is questionable...I swear it could be Russell!

Dan Selzer (Dan Selzer), Saturday, 10 April 2004 15:47 (twenty-two years ago)

Spent the last two days listening to an awesome 17 minute version of this song, can't believe I've never heard of it before. Dan, thanks a dozen times for bringing it to my attention. I think you're right with reckoning it's Russell. What year was it released? As ever, I'm sharing it on slsk.

Also, 'We Are The Clash'. That's quite good too. I swear this band can never step a foot wrong.

Affectian (Affectian), Friday, 16 April 2004 00:36 (twenty-two years ago)

! I must know more about this.

Ned Raggett (Ned), Friday, 16 April 2004 00:41 (twenty-two years ago)

Which one? I can email either to you as mp3, though be warned 'Dancing is dangerous' is huge at 15mb (though I have a shorter 8mb version if that's any better).

I don't know if 'We are the Clash' has been discussed already but it's from a recent issue of Uncut, part of the Clash-tribute cover cd, and so it's very nu-Sparks. Big clean sharp sound and well worth hearing. 'Dancing is dangerous' is set to be my big 'weekend song' for the next few months, I can tell. Really, everyone should hear this - interested parties should email me.

Affectian (Affectian), Friday, 16 April 2004 00:50 (twenty-two years ago)

Send either song as an e-mail over the weekend, it'll be easy enough for me to download it at home -- and thanks!

Ned Raggett (Ned), Friday, 16 April 2004 03:11 (twenty-two years ago)

one month passes...
I just read on the Redd Kross website that their doing Kimono My House in it's entirety at Morrissey's Meltdown, plus a couple of b-sides! And Steven McDonald is playing bass! I guess they gave in to Morrissey's demands after all.

Arthur (Arthur), Tuesday, 18 May 2004 04:14 (twenty-two years ago)

Yeah, they're also doing the new album too, so it's a bit of then and now.

Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 18 May 2004 04:35 (twenty-two years ago)

I just recently got into Sparks after randomly downloading a live "Amateur Hour" on 70's TV from Soulseek and being transfixed. I love "Kimono My House"!!

Adam Bruneau, Tuesday, 18 May 2004 06:14 (twenty-two years ago)

one year passes...
New album Hello Young Lovers out early next year, a track "Waterproof" is starting to circulate -- crappy quality mp3 but the song itself sounds a treat, mixing the orchestral conceits of Li'l Beethoven with a bit of classic glam era guitar crunch near the end.

Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 25 October 2005 04:14 (twenty years ago)

And here's more info:

Here is the track list for "Hello Young Lovers":

"Dick Around"
"Perfume"
"The Very Next Fight"
"(Baby Baby) Can I Invade Your Country?"
"Rock, Rock, Rock"
"Metaphor"
"Waterproof"
"Here Kitty"
"There's No Such Thing As Aliens"
"When I Sit Down To Play the Organ at the Notre Dame Cathedral"

Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 25 October 2005 16:31 (twenty years ago)

Lil Beethoven really is one of my favourite record of the last years, so I'm really looking forward for this new one.

snowballing (snowballing), Tuesday, 25 October 2005 16:34 (twenty years ago)

the kings of cheeky songtitles.

Shakey Mo Collier (Shakey Mo Collier), Tuesday, 25 October 2005 20:05 (twenty years ago)

i heard tips for teens on the radio today i loved it.

howell huser (chaki), Tuesday, 25 October 2005 20:13 (twenty years ago)

don't eat that burger
has it got mayonnaise?
GIVE IT TO ME

Shakey Mo Collier (Shakey Mo Collier), Tuesday, 25 October 2005 20:14 (twenty years ago)

(Baby Baby) Can I Invade Your Country?

I love this record already.

Billy Dods (Billy Dods), Tuesday, 25 October 2005 20:47 (twenty years ago)

Yeah, that's a great title. Here's hoping the lyrics live up to it.

Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 25 October 2005 20:57 (twenty years ago)

any chance of TSIs of the Noel single or the video of "Amateur Hour" re-apperaing on this fine, noble page?
i recall as a young lad seeing them on SNL (dunno the songs) and it was at least another decade before the wtf? of them seeped into me.
seeing them in Central Park was truly a treat.

b8a, Tuesday, 25 October 2005 21:03 (twenty years ago)

Got a better mp3 of "Waterproof" and it's just great -- I'd go so far as to say this is one of their best songs ever. HILARIOUS lyrics.

Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 26 October 2005 04:38 (twenty years ago)

(Baby Baby) Can I Invade Your Country?

That reminds me of the Scott Walker line (well, Jacques Brel in translation via Scott Walker):

A ring on every finger
A finger in every country

walter kranz (walterkranz), Wednesday, 26 October 2005 04:40 (twenty years ago)

Press release on the album plus cover and, but of course, new great photo of the two:

ihttp://www.noblepr.co.uk/Press_Releases/gut/images/sparks/ss1_sml.jpg

For the tour, looks like they'll be doing the Li'l Beethoven thing where the concert will have the first half be the new album in its entirety.

Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 8 November 2005 16:29 (twenty years ago)

What a great album cover.

n/a (Nick A.), Tuesday, 8 November 2005 16:57 (twenty years ago)

It is indeed. Looks like I'll finally get round to seeing them in February, just have to decide whether to see them in Glasgow or Gateshead.

Billy Dods (Billy Dods), Tuesday, 8 November 2005 17:06 (twenty years ago)

one month passes...
The new Sparks album is on In the Red in North America, of all labels.

The drummer's purty.

Vic Funk, Thursday, 8 December 2005 23:00 (twenty years ago)

Heheh, of all labels to end up on.

Ned Raggett (Ned), Thursday, 8 December 2005 23:30 (twenty years ago)

the sparks site calls the new album "quite simply an extraordinary masterpiece".

dan (dan), Friday, 9 December 2005 00:41 (twenty years ago)

Does anybody have any MP3s of 'Waterproof' or 'Dick Around' as yet? I'd be interested in getting a sneak preview of these tracks.

Dario Western, Saturday, 17 December 2005 17:59 (twenty years ago)

four weeks pass...
Oh god I love this band.

Ned Raggett (Ned), Monday, 16 January 2006 03:03 (twenty years ago)

The official site has the video for the Plagiarism version of "Number One Song in Heaven"- sadly, it's the only video that isn't a short, super-low-quality clip.

telephone thing, Monday, 16 January 2006 03:11 (twenty years ago)

Yeah, a complete video collection would be great, but jeez, the amount of licensing that would have to be done.

I'm just listening to Profile again and I'm just amazed at how every song could be some other band's entire career (and probably was once that band heard these guys). "Angst in My Pants" is so damn perfect, hilarity and melancholy poised *just* right.

Ned Raggett (Ned), Monday, 16 January 2006 03:51 (twenty years ago)

saw a re-run of the local NYC vid show new york noise just now and they had the video for My Baby's Taking Me Home...totally brilliant.

Dan Selzer (Dan Selzer), Monday, 16 January 2006 05:12 (twenty years ago)

two weeks pass...
The new album has, deservedly, its own thread, but I just wanted to revive this after a listen to No 1 in Heaven to say that I now realize this is one of the greatest albums ever made. In fact I think it's in my never-to-be-actually-created-cause-that-would-be-tedious top ten list.

Ned Raggett (Ned), Saturday, 4 February 2006 23:56 (twenty years ago)

I've only heard their new album, but it totally kicks ass!

Harpal (harpal), Sunday, 5 February 2006 07:00 (twenty years ago)

I just wanted to revive this after a listen to No 1 in Heaven to say that I now realize this is one of the greatest albums ever made. In fact I think it's in my never-to-be-actually-created-cause-that-would-be-tedious top ten list.

You are correct, Ned.

Naive Teen Idol (Naive Teen Idol), Sunday, 5 February 2006 21:00 (twenty years ago)

It doesn't hurt that it's so very clearly an instance of Moroder and Forsey at *their* very best too. It's a perfect combination of two duos at their best interlocking smoothly.

Ned Raggett (Ned), Sunday, 5 February 2006 21:04 (twenty years ago)

take off "ou D" and this is the most sensible thread evah

Beta (abeta), Sunday, 5 February 2006 21:42 (twenty years ago)

eleven months pass...
A little something:

SPARKS will be the subject of a special BBC Radio 2 documentary, 'This Town Ain't Big Enough For Both Of Us – The Story Of Sparks', to be aired on January 20th at 8pm, the show covers the duo's 35-year career and featured interviews with the band as well as with producer GIORGIO MORODER and will include the band’s first-ever demo plus unreleased studio and live recordings.

Somebody encode and distribute this, please!

Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 17 January 2007 05:55 (nineteen years ago)

Somebody encode and distribute this, please!

Ned, did you get you a copy of that? I can YSI it if you didn't.

scotstvo (scotstvo), Friday, 26 January 2007 23:17 (nineteen years ago)

I did, thanks very much! It's really quite great, and I've been able to turn a couple of friends onto the band with it in turn! It's a pat history to an extent but while it didn't touch on everything it made the most of its hour format with the understandable glam-era bias.

Ned Raggett (Ned), Friday, 26 January 2007 23:37 (nineteen years ago)

good fucking god this band rulzz

PappaWheelie MMCMXL (PappaWheelie 2), Saturday, 27 January 2007 04:08 (nineteen years ago)

I know this appeared on the Rough Guide...but here's a best of Sparks CD I made for myself and friends some years ago...definitely before Lil Beethoven...

1. Fa La Fa Lee
2. Girl from Germany
3. Beaver O'Lindy
4. Whippings and Apologies
5. This Town Ain't Big Enough For the Both of Us
6. Amateur Hour
7. Talent is an Asset
8. Propaganda/At Home, At Work, At Play
9. BC
10. Something for the Girl with Everything
11. Beat the Clock
12. My Other Voice
13. The No. 1 Song in Heaven
14. Just Because You Love Me
15. Tips for Teens
17. Angst in My Pants
18. Eaten By the Monster of Love
19. Cool Places
20. Music that You can Dance To

So it's just my fave, not some definitive thing. Thus, no I Predict, which always kinda annoyed me. And how do you not include ALL of Kimono My House?

Some problems, the transition from Something for the Girl with Everything to Beat the Clock is odd, and I couldn't solve it because I didn't have the albums that came out in there (I think Introducing and Indescreet?) and even if I did, I don't know if there's anything "transitional" to get to the Moroder produced stuff. What might work would be to not be chronological, because the early 80s Mack produced stuff is electronic rock/new wave in ways that would make a good transition between the glam and the italo-disco.

Anyway, check out those songs and if you can't get into them, have your brain checked.

Dan Selzer (Dan Selzer), Saturday, 27 January 2007 04:24 (nineteen years ago)

Here's my own OPXXII Sparks compilation

01 - This Town Ain't Big Enough For Both Of Us
02 - The Louvre
03 - Reinforcements
04 - Don't Leave Me Alone With Her
05 - Moon Over Kentucky
06 - Achoo
07 - Thanks But No Thanks
08 - Girl From Germany
09 - How are you getting home
10 - Bon Voyage
11 - Amateur Hour
12 - Thank God It's Not Christmas
13 - Here In Heaven
14 - Hospitality on parade
15 - Hasta Mañana Monsieur
16 - angst in my pants
17 - The Number One Song In Heaven
18 - Young Girls
19 - sherlock holmes
20 - hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil
21 - Rock, Rock, Rock
22 - I Married Myself

snowballing (snowballing), Saturday, 27 January 2007 11:00 (nineteen years ago)

I missed this, can somebody ysi this?

Billy Dods (Billy Dods), Saturday, 27 January 2007 11:07 (nineteen years ago)

1. Reinforcements
2. Equator
3. Looks, Looks, Looks
4. Funny Face
5. Nicotina
6. At Home, At Work, At Play
7. Change
8. The Number 1 Song in heaven
9. Hosppitality on Parade
10. Angst i My Pants

you could do this all day

Grey, Ian (IanBrooklyn), Saturday, 27 January 2007 20:04 (nineteen years ago)

Ned, did you get you a copy of that? I can YSI it if you didn't.

-- scotstvo (arrib...), January 26th, 2007.

I need a YSI, please! I can't find this online anywhere (maybe I'm just looking in the wrong places).

Jouster (Jouster), Saturday, 27 January 2007 20:17 (nineteen years ago)

feel like the hit rate is a lot higher on this one than Interior Design or Terminal Jive

Balls is maybe a good comparison. I've actually always thought that album was underrated though, a bit behind the times perhaps but most of the songs are good

frogbs, Monday, 9 June 2025 21:48 (one year ago)

Yup, I think Balls is a fine album, and it's super impressive that they've spent most of the last 20+ years making albums that are better than it, only now getting back down to around that level.

Vaguely Threatening CAPTCHAs, Monday, 9 June 2025 22:19 (one year ago)

Balls is pretty good, yeah

The "W" and Odie Trail (Boring, Maryland), Monday, 9 June 2025 22:20 (one year ago)

The Balls-era shows in LA were good fun, I gotta say.

One thing these albums have in common is that each of them preceded a radical change in style and an artistic peak. Probably not much chance that'll happen at this point in their career, with this album being so well received, but...it'd be cool if it did.

Hey, the next album could well be X Crucior. Don't rule it out!

Ned Raggett, Monday, 9 June 2025 22:48 (one year ago)

Oh, true!

Vaguely Threatening CAPTCHAs, Monday, 9 June 2025 22:56 (one year ago)

three months pass...

Last night was another fine treat from them -- I was especially pleasantly surprised at the number of songs throughout their career they played that I've never seen them do before. That's always a plus!

Ned Raggett, Sunday, 28 September 2025 16:58 (eight months ago)

Yeah the depth of their catalog is a wonderful thing. Saw them in Washington earlier this month.

Mr. T's Ballroom (Boring, Maryland), Sunday, 28 September 2025 17:10 (eight months ago)

two weeks pass...

https://www.criterion.com/current/top-10-lists/876-sparks-top-10

Jeez, I love his films! But most of the time I share with Guy is spent speaking about our passion for Japanese baseball players who have excelled in the U.S.; not speaking about film with him seems appropriate. What am I going to say to him about movies that wouldn’t sound foolish? I feel on safer ground discussing Shohei Ohtani.

Lithium Just Madison (C. Grisso/McCain), Thursday, 16 October 2025 23:59 (seven months ago)


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