Sparks
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Sparks – The Rhythm Thief
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Biography
One is an American rock and pop music band formed in Los Angeles in 1970 by brothers Ron Mael (keyboards) and Russell Mael (vocals), initially under the name Halfnelson. Best known for their quirky approach to song writing, Sparks’ music is often accompanied by cutting and acerbic lyrics, and an idiosyncratic stage presence, typified in the contrast between Russell’s wide-eyed hyperactive frontman antics and Ron’s sedentary scowling.
The band’s long career has seen them successfully adopt many different musical genres; including glam pop, power pop, electronic dance music and mainstream pop. Despite these many styles, a recognizable “Sparks sound” remains throughout, and they have enjoyed a large cult following since their first releases. Sparks have been highly influential on the development of popular music, in particular on the late 1970s scene, when in collaboration with Giorgio Moroder (and Telex subsequently), they reinvented themselves as an electronic pop duo, and abandoned the traditional rock band line up. In contrast to the esteem in which they are held by such peers as Depeche Mode, New Order, Pet Shop Boys and They Might Be Giants, who all cite Sparks as a major influence, their almost constantly changing styles and unique visual presentations have sometimes seen them dismissed as a novelty act.
The 2002 release of Lil’ Beethoven, their self-described “genre-defining opus”, and 2006’s Hello Young Lovers (their 20th studio album) have brought Sparks renewed critical and commercial success, and seen them continue to “steer clear of pop conventions.”
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Kimono My House
85,017 listeners12 tracks
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Propaganda
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Angst In My Pants
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Gratuitous Sax & Senseless Violins
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SaltComplex
I had an illuminating interview with Russell recently (his first in the states in a while now if I am not mistaken) on Sparks Spectacular, the Kiss of Death in Pop Music, and on Morrissey: http://www.ssgmusic.com/interview-russell-mael-of-sparks/
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Lord_DeviL_
.•*¨*•♫♪•<❤>_♪♫ॐ•_•ॐ♫♪+<❤>•♪♫•*¨*•.¸ "Beat the Clock"
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Chumsicles
the new live album is proof that they should've re-done more of their 80s and 90s material in the way they did on Plagiarism........When Do I Get to Sing My Way and Singing In the Shower are given new leases on life
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boundaryfuss
@Steambull/AledMCR: i own woofer-tweeter on both CD (seperate release, not the two-for-one) and vinyl, and i can confirm that the last handful of tracks are sped up on the CD issue
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Rissacakes
Finally seeing the bros next month in my home of Seattle. :D
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Steambull
Always a great moment when one of my friends really gets into them as I introduce the band with a few songs (happens with very few people and I can usually guess before-hand how they will react). I borrowed Indiscreet to my friend and he said that the whole family kept listening it on the kitchen stereo for two weeks.
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crownanchor
I have always dug these 2:):)
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Steambull
@Konkelo- So they were in Finland :( I didn't want to know... this marks the second time I missed them due to lack of information feed. Right now I can't even be glad for the news of their first live album. I don't think there's any hope of them coming here again.
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AledMCR
The 'Two Hands One Mouth' version of Sherlock Holmes is the definitive version, in my opinion. Just gorgeous.
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Konkelo-
The new live album is great! And the first track was recorded in Finland B-) Great memories!
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AledMCR
Hmm, I guess we'll have to wait until the forthcoming reissues to find out (unless one of us acquires the LPs beforehand!)
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Steambull
I can't recall the source of my information anymore, but it said that the sped up mix used in the halfnelson/woofer combo CD was used on _ALL_ later CD releases. As for R&R's part in this, I have no information.
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AledMCR
As far as I'm aware that's only the case for the CD edition of Halfnelson/Woofer that features both albums on the same disc, hence why some tracks were sped up to fit on it. (I highly doubt R&R would have approved of this, it sounds like a marketing ploy from some record label!). I own the first two albums on separate CDs, however I've not heard them on vinyl so I can't confirm whether some tracks are sped up or not. There is some speculation on the official forum with regards to forthcoming Collector's Editions of the first two albums - hopefully this will rectify the problem (if there is one)!
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Steambull
I only now learned that the CD pressings of the first two albums have some tracks sped-up from the original LP versions :/ The hunt for those is ON!
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satanicazrael
whoa sparks at coachella?
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madboy
love
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fireflies_
band to move the pelvis
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st0larz
the BEST
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roldki
fantastic!
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KasparovDeepBlu
HOLY FUF
All 1189 shouts
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