Sparkstember started in 2020 as a celebration of the band Sparks, and has been observed every year since. For Sparkstember 2024 I listened to all of Sparks LPs and posted a bit about them. These are the posts.
Articles by Simon Greenwood
Day 1: Halfnelson/Sparks
Originally released as Halfnelson, the LP was reissued in 1972 as Sparks when the band changed their name. Recorded with Todd Rundgren, it opens with Wonder Girl, which for me at least, sounds exactly like Sparks, 53 years ago.
Day 2: A Woofer in Tweeter's Clothing
Sparks' second LP was 'A Woofer in Tweeter's Clothing'. Released in February 1972, it wasn't particularly successful in the US or elsewhere, but a residency at the Marquee in London increased interest in the UK. The LP starts with 'Girl from Germany' and 'Beaver O'Lindy', a single that sounds more …
Day 3: Kimono My House
The third LP by Sparks was 'Kimono My House', which was their commercial breakthrough, preceded by the single 'This Town Ain't Big Enough For The Both Of Us', which reached no 4 in the UK charts. Ron and Russell Mael relocated to the UK in 1973, leaving behind the band …
Day 4: Propaganda
Sparks released 'Propaganda', their fourth LP, in November 1974, six months after 'Kimono My House'. It reached 9 in the UK charts and the singles 'Never Turn Your Back on Mother Earth' and 'Something For the Girl With Everything' reached 13 and 17. It follows a similar pattern to 'Kimono …
Day 5: Indiscreet
Sparks' fifth LP was 'Indiscreet', released in 1975. While it still referred to contemporary glam rock like 'Kimono' and 'Propaganda' , there were broader influences from outside of rock, such as vaudeville, jazz and classical music, with orchestral arrangements by Tony Visconti. Lead UK single 'Get In the Swing' sounds like …
Day 6: Big Beat
The band returned to the US and recorded their sixth LP 'Big Beat' in New York with a session band. It was recorded with Rupert Holmes and Jeffery Lesser and has a rockier American AOR 'West Coast' sound than previously. It's still recognisably Sparks due to Russell's voice and slightly …
Day 7: Introducing Sparks
'Introducing Sparks' was released in 1977. It was recorded by the Mael brothers with another different band line-up and another take on their sound. The AOR rock sound of 'Big Beat' gave way to a lighter, smoother sound with backing harmonies and a broader, more piano driven musical palette. It …
Day 8: Number One in Heaven
The comparative failure of 'Big Beat' and 'Introducing' caused the Mael brothers to rethink their direction. In an interview with a German journalist they expressed an admiration for Giorgio Moroder. The journalist turned out to be a friend of Moroder, made the introduction and their eighth LP 'No1 in Heaven' …
Day 9: Terminal Jive
1980's 'Terminal Jive' brought back guitar and bass but still had a sequenced, disco feel and was produced by Giorgio Moroder and Harold Faltermeyer. It has a very contemporary feel, making me think of both Devo and 'Eliminator' era ZZ Top. The LP wasn't released in the US and didn't …