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Sparks
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Los Angeles, United States (1970 – present)
There are at least two bands named Sparks.
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.”
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.”
Top Albums
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The Seduction Of Ingmar Bergman (English Version)
SparksBuy- Download Album
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New
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The Seduction Of Ingmar Bergman (Swedish Version)
SparksBuy- Download Album
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New
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Kimono My House
SparksBuy- Download Album
- Amazon MP3 $9.49
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- iTunes $9.99
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- Amazon $30.83
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Exotic Creatures Of The Deep
SparksBuy- Download Album
- Amazon MP3 $9.99
- 7digital $6.99
- iTunes $9.99
- Buy Album
- Amazon $17.33
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Top Tracks
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Amateur Hour
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Here in Heaven
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Falling in Love With Myself Again
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Talent Is an Asset
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Thank God It's Not Christmas
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Never Turn Your Back on Mother Earth
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Complaints
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Good Morning
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Barbecutie
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Something for the Girl With Everything
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Intro
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Shoutbox
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onthefly2009 wrote:
How old am I>>>>>>I can remember when this came out
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PillowParty wrote:
OK, so you guys would probably be the best to ask this. I was really close to buying a digital copy of the English version of SoIB.. but is there a version where the tracks are separated?
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Chumsicles wrote:
Got an e-mail from Sue Harris of Republic Media: "At some point it will be available as a CD, realistically to coincide with the stage or film version - this will take some time though. It is available via iTunes in the meantime"
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timahall wrote:
I really hope there's a standalone CD of the English version. I don't wanna have to buy that big expensive boxset thing just to get it. A standalone CD of the English version is listed on Amazon.co.uk for release in January 2010 but i'm skeptical as there's no mention of it on allsparks.com.
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schoenburger wrote:
I didn't even know when the English language version was being broadcast. pah. I don't know when the CD is due out, either. The vinyl editions are hideously expensive, so I don't think I'll be able to afford any of them.
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Chumsicles wrote:
As someone who doesn't speak Swedish, I found that the English version The Seduction Of Ingmar Bergman is far more enjoyable, makes more sense, and hits harder as a story. Hearing the dialog pieces in english make the story much clearer and more coherent and now that I can fully understand it, I can fully enjoy it. Does anyone know if the English version will be released as a standalone CD in retail stores? I can't find any info this at all
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AledMCR wrote:
So who listened to the broadcast of the English version of The Seduction Of Ingmar Bergman? Utterly mesmerising, it was great to fill in the bits of the plot I couldn't understand. It's a really engrossing piece, I can't help but get drawn in. I instantly loved Garbo Sings when I heard the Swedish version, but hearing it in English just made me love it even more. A truly phenomenal piece of work! How are Sparks so amazing? They never fail to amaze me. I can't wait to get my album now, I'm gonna play it to continuously!
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schoenburger wrote:
Mine is also black. I still want a pink and/or white print just because they would both fit in with the aesthetic of the cover art more than black.
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Rissacakes wrote:
:) If I had the money I'd probably buy a white one too.
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DarHos wrote:
Damn you! I have it in traditional black :-(
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tobi116 wrote:
mine's pink too, its also released in white which is more rare right?
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Rissacakes wrote:
Ooooh love, what colour? I have a pink one. :D
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DarHos wrote:
Ah! My 'Hello Young Lovers' has arrived on vinyl!
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Rissacakes wrote:
At the risk of being redundant, there are three things in life I really love: My boyfriend, Sparks, and ... well, ... Sparks.
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DarHos wrote:
I'm impressed by how long Sparks have lasted together without showing any signs of conflicting opinions. Another question... Will 'Exotic Creatures of the Deep' get a vinyl release anytime soon?
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Chumsicles wrote:
those Oasis guys could learn something from Sparks....
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timahall wrote:
Russell said in an interview I read once that he attributes their long-standing harmonious working relationship to the fact that they both decided on their roles within the band very early on and stuck with it.
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Rissacakes wrote:
I couldn't imagine there being too many issues between them. They take care of each other, and love each other very much . . . but one can only assume that hours in the studio might get a little daunting, and the guys probably get edgy once in a while (heh heh, "Once in a while, I get edgy - you've seen it happen before" . . .) but ultimately I doubt there's any disputes or competition.
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DarHos wrote:
Has there ever been much dispute between the brothers? They just seem to get on too perfectly, I can't comprehend it...
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Rissacakes wrote:
Indeed. Just like there should be a fan club for Ron's moustache, there should be an organization to entice Russell into spending more time with a pen and paper. Perhaps for every brilliant bit, he should be rewarded with two pretty girls. :D
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Recent Activity
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Nonclique343 wrote about Sparks in Which Last.FM Staff Memeber am I?. 3 hours ago
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dscarrig, aladdinosaure, tamborinejonez and 4 other people added Sparks to their libraries. 6 hours ago
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IanAR connected Sparks to the group Blitz Kids. Tuesday afternoon
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Bruceisanartist, emechescalmir, Bigt13 and 6 other people added Sparks to their libraries. Tuesday afternoon
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feefafo wrote about Sparks – Kimono My House in On my MP3 player. Monday morning
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feefafo wrote about Sparks in On my MP3 player. Monday morning
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agris385, matjesfilet, mickilmickil and 2 other people added Sparks to their libraries. Monday morning
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Holiday-Today tagged Sparks with synth pop, rock, pop and 2 other tags. Sunday evening
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jacknewp, AmiraMillie, aketzer and 18 other people added Sparks to their libraries. Sunday afternoon
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cold_as_ever tagged Sparks with ‘new wave’. Friday evening
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