Re the question: I like some of their songs, but not that many. When they're on, they're a breed apart, but I certainly can't listen to a side all the way through.
― Tracer Hand (tracerhand), Monday, 21 July 2003 03:31 (twenty years ago) link
― dleone (dleone), Saturday, 10 January 2004 21:44 (twenty years ago) link
― Ned Raggett (Ned), Saturday, 10 January 2004 21:49 (twenty years ago) link
― Sean (Sean), Sunday, 11 January 2004 00:07 (twenty years ago) link
"Nicotina"
Not every cigarette is a dead, dead thingSome have a mind and try to be other thingsPushed in the pack, they crave some Virginia airSoftly, they pray to someone, but life ain't fair
They're born to loseThey're born to fillThe lungs of JackThe lungs of JillAnd like I saidLife just isn't fair
Nicotina, Nicotina, Nicotina is her name
Once in a while a cigarette has a nameN-I-C-O-T-I-N-A, that's her nameShe had a tiny voice, and she sang all dayShe was a cigarette, but she loved to play
A man with a coughStepped to the machineDropped coins in the slotThe end of a dream
He ripped the pack and coughed, and then coughed againPopped out a cigarette, and we're near the endShe screamed and screamed but so much was filtered outNow Nicotina's only a tiny cloud
Nicotina's gone, but life goes on thoughNicotina's gone, but life goes on thoughNicotina's gone, but life goes on and on and on and on and onNicotina, Nicotina, Nicotina was her name
― Ian Grey (Ian_G), Sunday, 11 January 2004 08:02 (twenty years ago) link
An acquaintance, Michelle who helps run Marc Almond's website, has a slew of enjoyable photos from the recent London show up here:
http://www.beyondthedarkroom.co.uk/
Click on 'Stage' and then follow the links.
― Ned Raggett (Ned), Friday, 9 April 2004 00:05 (twenty years ago) link
― ken taylrr, Friday, 9 April 2004 16:03 (twenty years ago) link
― Donna Brown (Donna Brown), Friday, 9 April 2004 16:07 (twenty years ago) link
― Ned Raggett (Ned), Friday, 9 April 2004 16:37 (twenty years ago) link
― Squirrel_Police (Squirrel_Police), Friday, 9 April 2004 18:42 (twenty years ago) link
I say the early 80s version of Whassup and he scretches his chin, tells me in his late thirties, and he's worried that he isn't married yet. "Am I weird or something?" he asks.
― Ian Grey (Ian_G), Friday, 9 April 2004 19:17 (twenty years ago) link
― Justin Farrar (Justin Farrar), Saturday, 10 April 2004 01:58 (twenty years ago) link
I was happy to let Sean in SF know about their show tonight via chat -- he got all excited because he didn't know about that beforehand, and is at the venue now! Hope he has a good time.
― Ned Raggett (Ned), Saturday, 10 April 2004 02:12 (twenty years ago) link
― Ian Grey (Ian_G), Saturday, 10 April 2004 13:11 (twenty years ago) link
― Ian SPACK (Ian SPACK), Saturday, 10 April 2004 13:27 (twenty years ago) link
A fine disc, that, as you can see here.
― Ned Raggett (Ned), Saturday, 10 April 2004 13:46 (twenty years ago) link
― Ian SPACK (Ian SPACK), Saturday, 10 April 2004 15:12 (twenty years ago) link
― Ned Raggett (Ned), Saturday, 10 April 2004 15:18 (twenty years ago) link
― Ian SPACK (Ian SPACK), Saturday, 10 April 2004 15:23 (twenty years ago) link
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 years ago) link
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 years ago) link
― Ned Raggett (Ned), Friday, 16 April 2004 00:41 (twenty years ago) link
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 years ago) link
― Ned Raggett (Ned), Friday, 16 April 2004 03:11 (twenty years ago) link
― Arthur (Arthur), Tuesday, 18 May 2004 04:14 (nineteen years ago) link
― Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 18 May 2004 04:35 (nineteen years ago) link
― Adam Bruneau, Tuesday, 18 May 2004 06:14 (nineteen years ago) link
― Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 25 October 2005 04:14 (eighteen years ago) link
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 (eighteen years ago) link
― snowballing (snowballing), Tuesday, 25 October 2005 16:34 (eighteen years ago) link
― Shakey Mo Collier (Shakey Mo Collier), Tuesday, 25 October 2005 20:05 (eighteen years ago) link
― howell huser (chaki), Tuesday, 25 October 2005 20:13 (eighteen years ago) link
― Shakey Mo Collier (Shakey Mo Collier), Tuesday, 25 October 2005 20:14 (eighteen years ago) link
I love this record already.
― Billy Dods (Billy Dods), Tuesday, 25 October 2005 20:47 (eighteen years ago) link
― Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 25 October 2005 20:57 (eighteen years ago) link
― b8a, Tuesday, 25 October 2005 21:03 (eighteen years ago) link
― Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 26 October 2005 04:38 (eighteen years ago) link
That reminds me of the Scott Walker line (well, Jacques Brel in translation via Scott Walker):
A ring on every fingerA finger in every country
― walter kranz (walterkranz), Wednesday, 26 October 2005 04:40 (eighteen years ago) link
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 (eighteen years ago) link
― n/a (Nick A.), Tuesday, 8 November 2005 16:57 (eighteen years ago) link
― Billy Dods (Billy Dods), Tuesday, 8 November 2005 17:06 (eighteen years ago) link
The drummer's purty.
― Vic Funk, Thursday, 8 December 2005 23:00 (eighteen years ago) link
― Ned Raggett (Ned), Thursday, 8 December 2005 23:30 (eighteen years ago) link
― dan (dan), Friday, 9 December 2005 00:41 (eighteen years ago) link
― Dario Western, Saturday, 17 December 2005 17:59 (eighteen years ago) link
― Ned Raggett (Ned), Monday, 16 January 2006 03:03 (eighteen years ago) link
― telephone thing, Monday, 16 January 2006 03:11 (eighteen years ago) link
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 (eighteen years ago) link
― Dan Selzer (Dan Selzer), Monday, 16 January 2006 05:12 (eighteen years ago) link
That was a weird set list!!!
― frogbs, Friday, 7 July 2023 03:12 (nine months ago) link
Good!
― Ned Raggett, Friday, 7 July 2023 03:16 (nine months ago) link
it was kind of surreal, for the last few days there's been a particular early Sparks deep cut stuck in my head (thanks to some recent reissues) and it was somehow actually in the set list. mind you I'd been avoiding spoilers, I had no clue what was coming.
I don't wanna spoil anything for those who are planning to see them, all I'm gonna say is they played a lot of really great tunes from not-so-great albums, it was really a showcase of their entire career, none of this "lets just forget about the 30 years between then and now" shit a lot of veteran bands do. some of the guys I went with knew very little about the band and left very impressed.
Russ sounded incredible. his voice really hasn't changed at all. one thing I will say though, I know a Garth Brooks outfit when I see one, and the man definitely cribbed a part of his wardrobe last night. Ron on the other hand was wearing a suit and XXXXL shorts
― frogbs, Friday, 7 July 2023 14:47 (nine months ago) link
I don't even especially like the song, but it was touching to hear them bring out something as obscure as "Those Mysteries" when I saw them in 2013. I guess reviving their entire catalogue onstage shows they're willing to encompass it all.
― Halfway there but for you, Friday, 7 July 2023 15:07 (nine months ago) link
I saw 'em in DC last week and it was easily the most energetic Sparks audience I've ever been a part of. Also (unrelated, I'm sure) the youngest crowd I've ever seen at a Sparks show. Some teens, and more than a few genuine children there with their parents. I saw one young kid wearing a yellow suit modeled after the cactus suit Russell wore on American Bandstand in 84! I think the documentary has been really key in creating a new generation of Sparks fans.
― Vaguely Threatening CAPTCHAs, Friday, 7 July 2023 15:23 (nine months ago) link
yea there was definitely a moment like that concerning a particular tune I really love from one of those albums so unliked you have to hit "see all" on their RYM page to find it. and it wasn't even one of the singles! totally killed too.
― frogbs, Friday, 7 July 2023 15:32 (nine months ago) link
xp That same kid came to the DC show in the same outfit last year. Russell pointed him out from the stage.
― Chris L, Friday, 7 July 2023 16:42 (nine months ago) link
The album's good! Not *too much* of a departure from the previous two.
actually I would disagree with this! the wild hyperactive electronic stuff (especially on "Mona Lisa"!) seems unlike anything they've done in the past. also it's cinematic and sweeping in a way their last several only hinted at. it's also...oh I dunno...a bit more TMBG-ish I think. obviously I mean that in a good way. if any of them I think it reminds me most of Hippopatamus but it's actually more ambitious than that. some of the string arrangements are really pretty! are they still fake??
"Nothing Is As Good As They Say It Is" definitely feels like one of those things where a band will randomly slap some unreleased tune from their glory years onto a new album and hope nobody notices. only its actually one of the less interesting songs on the album, instead just sounding kind of out of place, as good as it is. maybe they wrote it just to prove they still could do songs like that
― frogbs, Monday, 10 July 2023 03:13 (nine months ago) link
some of the string arrangements are really pretty! are they still fake??
I've been wondering about that too. One of my first thoughts hearing the album was that they must have started using some new, more realistic orchestral samples, but then on the Tim Burgess Twitter listening party, Ron said the orchestrations for "Take Me for a Ride" were done by Nathan Kelly, who did the orchestrations for the 40th anniversary Kimono concerts. I don't see his name anywhere in the credits though, and there aren't credits for any orchestral performers, so I'm not sure about the exact extent of those orchestrations. Maybe he helped out with some other songs too?
"When You Leave" could totally be a TMBG song.
― Vaguely Threatening CAPTCHAs, Monday, 10 July 2023 19:07 (nine months ago) link
Last night's Hollywood Bowl show: a real treat. It's been pretty much the same set for the tour but it was a delight hearing "Beaver O'Lindy" dug up.
― Ned Raggett, Monday, 17 July 2023 21:50 (nine months ago) link
They’ve had plenty of lovely songs over their career but a couple of times on the latest album they go for a kraftwerkian prettiness that feels quite new and a perfect fit
― Grandall Flange (wins), Thursday, 31 August 2023 22:06 (eight months ago) link
Def up there with their very best for me, first listen gave me the same feeling as Hello Young Lovers where I wondered if this is actually the best they’ve ever been
― frogbs, Friday, 1 September 2023 00:10 (eight months ago) link
They're just that good!
― Ned Raggett, Friday, 1 September 2023 01:34 (eight months ago) link
What a career
― deep wubs and tribral rhythms (Boring, Maryland), Friday, 1 September 2023 02:35 (eight months ago) link
Just saw the documentary last night and I was most surprised by how Californian Ron sounded - I don't really know what I expected him to sound like though! Obviously the best thing about it was the Mael Brothers, I could have done with a lot more of them and a lot less of comedians I've never heard of whose agents got them the gig. Also the chronological album-by-album approach became a bit of a route march.
― The First Time Ever I Saw Gervais (Tom D.), Thursday, 26 October 2023 06:32 (six months ago) link
Didn't expect this!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EH8i_-vUwGY
― Ned Raggett, Friday, 23 February 2024 17:25 (two months ago) link
Lil' Richter
― eatandoph (Neue Jesse Schule), Friday, 23 February 2024 18:07 (two months ago) link
Roffle
― Ned Raggett, Friday, 23 February 2024 18:16 (two months ago) link
Oh, that sounds beautiful (on one play).
― djh, Friday, 23 February 2024 20:31 (two months ago) link
cant think of a single other Sparks track that sounds like this
― frogbs, Friday, 23 February 2024 20:40 (two months ago) link
Rarely see Sparks vinyl for decent prices out in the wild so I was pretty stoked to grab Indiscreet and Propaganda the other day for seven bucks apiece.
― Evans on Hammond (evol j), Sunday, 25 February 2024 05:21 (two months ago) link
Vinyl and CD reissues coming soon for #1 Song in Heaven and Noel's heretofore out of print "Is There More To Life Than Dancing?" from 1979. I never had heard of Noel's record before, but it's awesome!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6dAYlIHeqc
― from a prominent family of bassoon players (Boring, Maryland), Tuesday, 5 March 2024 19:57 (one month ago) link