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.”

Tagged as:

new wave, glam rock, pop, rock, synth pop
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Top Albums

The Seduction Of Ingmar Bergman (English Version)
Sparks
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The Seduction Of Ingmar Bergman (Swedish Version)
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Kimono My House
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Exotic Creatures Of The Deep
Sparks
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Top Tracks

1	This Town Ain't Big Enough For The Both Of Us full track	321
2	Amateur Hour full track	316
3	This Town Ain't Big Enough for Both of Us	292
4	Beat the Clock	240
5	Thank God It's Not Christmas full track	223
6	Here in Heaven full track	197
7	Talent Is an Asset full track	177
8	Falling in Love With Myself Again full track	174
9	Never Turn Your Back on Mother Earth full track	153
10	Complaints full track	146
11	Good Morning full track	138
12	Something for the Girl With Everything full track	122
13	Tryouts for the Human Race	116
14	The Number One Song in Heaven	115
15	Intro full track	113

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CandFood wrote:
yesterday afternoon

i remember when i found these guys and i was like "they might be giants meets of montreal?! welcome to heaven"

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lastfmgs wrote:
Friday evening

love

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Rissacakes wrote:
Thursday afternoon

Mmm. Still the kings of my record collection, and the most brilliant brothers on earth.

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onthefly2009 wrote:
last month

How old am I>>>>>>I can remember when this came out

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PillowParty wrote:
last month

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:
last month

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:
last month

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:
last month

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:
last month

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:
last month

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:
last month

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:
last month

:) If I had the money I'd probably buy a white one too.

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DarHos wrote:
last month

Damn you! I have it in traditional black :-(

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tobi116 wrote:
last month

mine's pink too, its also released in white which is more rare right?

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Rissacakes wrote:
last month

Ooooh love, what colour? I have a pink one. :D

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DarHos wrote:
last month

Ah! My 'Hello Young Lovers' has arrived on vinyl!

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Rissacakes wrote:
October 2009

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:
October 2009

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:
October 2009

those Oasis guys could learn something from Sparks....

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timahall wrote:
October 2009

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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