Following the success of 'FFS', the band returned to a more conventional sound for their 23rd LP 'Hippopotamus' , with the return of guitars and drums, both human and electronic alongside Ron's keyboard. The songs again make use of repetition and intricate vocal arrangements, covering a range of diverse themes and different musical styles, and still sounding unmistakably like Sparks. The band seem re-energised in their sixth(!) decade and the LP is among their best. It starts again with an introduction that seems to set the theme ('Probably Nothing') and wanders through modern concerns, sometimes to do with ageing, nostalgia and mortality, but as always in an articulate and humorous way. 'What The Hell Is It This Time' seems to show irritation with the modern world. 'Scandinavian Design' might be a reference to the current state of Europop (it made me think of Taylor Swift's '1989' and how that became a blueprint for modern pop, not least due to the Spotification of music). 'Hippopotamus' is concerned with foreign objects in a swimming pool, probably a common concern in California, although perhaps not usually African aquatic mammals or, perhaps more likely, ageing Volkswagen campers. However, as much as always, the thing is the thing, and perhaps it's better just to enjoy what it is and not read too much into it.