KIMONO MY HOUSE by Sparks

Alrighty, so, my introduction to Sparks actually came from hearing their song “Now That I Own the BBC” from their 1994 album “Gratuitous Sax and Senseless Violins” when I was a wee lad. I don’t remember where I heard it exactly, but I have a few ideas. Anyways, that chorus stuck with me all the way up into my teen years when I finally decided to google the lyrics and then YouTube the song and I was hooked. From there I started going back through their discography and the first full albums I checked out were this one, “Indiscreet” and “Big Beat”. And at first it was very.. jarring.

“Now That I Own the BBC” definitely had a more accessible sound to my ears at the time and this album came across very jarring, almost annoying to me at first. But even then I remember thinking how good “Thank God it’s not Christmas” was. And after a few listens through it all just clicked. Russell’s vocals have always reminded me of Marc Bolan from T-Rex mixed with Freddie Mercury. In fact Sparks remind me a lot of Queen, albeit possibly even more eccentric.

After working through their discography a few times I was all in and this album and Indiscreet were my favorites (with Indiscreet taking a slight edge). There’s a ton going on here, on one hand it’s like ok, there’s a rock vibe for sure, and then you have this very prevalent cheeky comical side, and then Russell’s vocals which definitely make them stand out. In “Here in Heaven”specifically there are moments where he reminds me of Tiny Tim oddly enough haha.

I just always have a blast listening to these dudes. That being said, they’re not going to be for everyone and that’s 100% understandable haha. I’ve shown them to friends and family before and some of them have just found them to be annoying, and my first listens to some of these albums back in the day made me feel the same way at times. I’d just ask if they didn’t click with you off the bat, maybe give them a few more chances. I think “Now That I Own the BBC” is a great intro for people who want to get into them. And I think that once you know what to expect a bit more, getting into some of their other stuff will be a bit easier. They also have a really well done cover of “I Want To Hold Your Hand” that you may love or hate

I’m just super stoked that this is this months AOTM. It’s such a fun record and seeing everyone’s different reactions is too cool. Happy listening fam

Edit: There’s also a new Edgar Wright documentary that’s just come out about the band. I haven’t seen it yet but I’ve only heard great things so I’m sure that’s worth checking out if you want to get into them a little more!

Never heard of these guys. Thoughts as I listen...

Okay, wow. I hear some Who influences, Tiny Tim in the vocals, and other bits from the 70s in This Town. The drumming is really cool. Amateur Hour I like. The Motown-style drumming gets me every time. The arrangements and rhythm breaks are really cool - I don't see myself listening to this on a regular basis, but there's tons of shit to steal in the flourishes and stuff. Feeling some Elton John in here, too.

The unison guitar/bass lines in Falling in Love with Myself again are cool. Love the guitar - rhythm and lead - in Here in Heaven. Thank God it's Not Christmas has echoes of Rush in it, of all things. For me, anyway.

Hasta Manana, again, it just FEELS so 70s, with influences from all over the popular music of the era all thrown into a big old stew.

So far, I have to say that I really do LIKE and ENJOY this, but again, it's not something I'd really put on repeat or anything. Probably finish listening tomorrow. Have to focus on some work stuff for a bit!

Ed Seith said:

Never heard of these guys. Thoughts as I listen...

Okay, wow. I hear some Who influences, Tiny Tim in the vocals, and other bits from the 70s in This Town. The drumming is really cool. Amateur Hour I like. The Motown-style drumming gets me every time. The arrangements and rhythm breaks are really cool - I don't see myself listening to this on a regular basis, but there's tons of shit to steal in the flourishes and stuff. Feeling some Elton John in here, too.

The unison guitar/bass lines in Falling in Love with Myself again are cool. Love the guitar - rhythm and lead - in Here in Heaven. Thank God it's Not Christmas has echoes of Rush in it, of all things. For me, anyway.

Hasta Manana, again, it just FEELS so 70s, with influences from all over the popular music of the era all thrown into a big old stew.

So far, I have to say that I really do LIKE and ENJOY this, but again, it's not something I'd really put on repeat or anything. Probably finish listening tomorrow. Have to focus on some work stuff for a bit!

Click to expand...

Good call on The Who influence, they were huge fans of British rock bands of the 60s and 70s. The Who, The Kinks, etc etc. A lot of people actually mistake them for being a British band when they first hear them Good ear Captain!

Way back in the dark ages (before the internet) there was a TV show called "In Concert". It was the only place on TV you could see new bands. It was filmed at The Long Beach Arena (Yes-the same one as Live in the LBC) every Tuesday during the afternoon and evening. I was in the 10th grade (circa 1974) and I used to ditch school after lunch every Tuesday and make the 20 minute drive to see the show. The very first show I attended featured Sparks. The minute I heard the opening of "This Town" I was blown away. There was nothing like them anywhere at the time. They sounded amazing and they were really fun to watch. Great songs and very theatrical performance. On my way home I bought their first two albums; Kimono My House and Propaganda.
I wore them out by the time their next album (Indiscreet) came out. I consider them to be possibly the best run of albums any band has ever put out. And they managed to put all 3 out in the span of a year and a half. Crazy.
Ron Mael is the genius behind the songs, which are melodic and (deceptively) harmonically complicated. His brother Russell brings the songs to life with his incredible range, energy, and emotion. The lyrics are funny, poignant, and philosophical - occasionally all at the same time.

Sparks is not for everybody. This is the kind of band you love or hate. They are not background music. They demand constant attention - which is a turnoff for people who just want to crank up the volume to workout or play some music at a party. They're the kind of band that you listen to with headphones while reading the lyrics.
Admittedly - that's a lot to ask.
But they are definitely worth the deep dive. They are totally fun and one of a kind. AND - they're still making music! 50 years after their first album - their 25th album was released earlier this year. And NO two albums sound alike. Remarkable.
They are still one of my favorite bands of all time, (especially the three albums I mentioned).
Enjoy! Even if they're not your thing - their creativity and originality can't be denied.

Oh - and kudos to Syn for such a ballsy choice for AOTM! lol

Cheers!
pg

Here’s the trailer for the new Edgar Wright film about them that was released in June called, “The Sparks Brothers”. I haven’t seen it yet but it looks fantastic. Regardless of if you dug the AOTM or not, this looks to definitely be worth the watch!

Excellent performance of “This Town Ain’t Big Enough For The Both of Us” from 2008. Crazy that they were doing a tour where they were going through all 21 of their albums one night at a time leading up to the new one. Only Sparks lol