They’ve been around for years, they are eccentric, off the wall and seemingly quite mad but they are also musical geniuses. I’m talking about Sparks, the brothers Ron and Russell Mael from L.A.
Their last album Lil' Beethoven is one that will ever grace my mp3 player, it’s a work of modern day madrigals devoted to today’s suburban society. Never once does this album try to conform, in fact it does the opposite with panache and style and a single chorus hook can be turned into a song with pomp, majesty and an infectious tune that can get you chanting along with abandon. Vocal harmonies intertwine with uplifting sharp vocals, piano’s sync with keyboards, punchy guitars make appearance when apt to the mood, some of it is offbeat, some of it surreal but all of it relevant. There’s no moralistic messages here, just pure indulgence in the music and the lyrics. From the sublime opening track of ‘Rhythm thief’ you know you’re in for a treat, eclectic Sparks at their best as they deliver songs such as the raw and powerful ‘Ugly guys with beautiful girls’, the pure anthem of ‘My babies taking me home’ to the surreal ‘Wunderbar. The deluxe edition has extra tracks and is definitely worth a couple of extra £’s of you money. Buy, switch off, indulge – enjoy.
In Spark’s own ostensible words "nine scintillating works of seduction and self-delusion"
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