I’m enjoying the FFS album far more than I ever expected, which has forced me to look at Sparks. Notwithstanding a couple of well played 70’s singles there are twenty odd albums to plough through! Where do I start, are there two or three ‘must haves’ or am I better off getting one of the compilations? Advice please good people.
ATM – Sparks
by 27 Comments
Kimono
Propaganda
Indiscreet
Big Beat
Gratuitous Sax & Senseless Violins
Lil Beethoven
Hello Young Lovers
Exotic Creatures Of The Deep
Great list, I’d add “Number One in Heaven”.
If you have to start with a couple I’d say “Kimono My house” and “Lil’ Beethoven.
Try this one as a starter for 10 (or *8)
Their 6 Music show, still on iPlayer, was terrific. Catholic tastes in music, and as weird as you want then to be.
The dvd, Live in Stockholm, is well worth watching as well.
No dissimilar to DFB:
Kimono
Propaganda
Indiscreet
No 1 In Heaven
Angst in My Pants
Gratuitous Sax
Lil Beethoven
That covers all the styles. Boo lining it down to two it’s has to be Kimono and Beethoven. A full-career compilation came out about a year ago called New Music For Amnesiacs, there’s a two CD version and it’s as good a Sparks Map as you’ll find.
Boo lining = boiling
From the Human League track Being Boo Lined
I think a compilation is the best place to start. If you’ve got an Emusic account, start there as most of the stuff (except the Island Years) is there.
If you want to go for a single album then I would start at Indiscreet. It’s certainly my favourite Island album as it covers a gamut of musical styles and the lyrics are wittier than those from the more famous albums.
I’ve listened to the FFS album numerous times now and still can’t put my finger on where the songs have come from. Most of them sound a bit like old Sparks tracks but it’s certainly Sparks through the ages.
If you like Sparks with guitars (and I do) then you should probably avoid Introducing Sparks (although I think that’s probably my favourite of theirs) and No1 Song In Heaven, Terminal Jive, Music That You Can Dance To, Lil Beethoven & Hello Young Lovers. Certainly don’t underestimate the appeal of some of the lesser known albums. Exotic Creatures of The Deep contains some rattling good pop songs and I wouldn’t be at all surprised if “Little Guy from the Suburbs” and “The Man Without a Tan” had their genesis when that album was created. ‘Whomp That Sucker’ and ‘Angst In My Pants’ are also well worth investigation.
If you really really like the guitars then you could do worse than go all the way back to ‘A Woofer in Tweeters Clothing’ and if you’re not so familiar with the originals, you might like ‘Plaigarism’ which is ‘cover’ versions of old Sparks songs done by.. er… Sparks (and friends).
If you’ve never really noticed them until FFS then, fabulous as it is, I’m not sure that ‘Lil Beethoven’ is the best place to continue the journey but you will certainly want to get to it quite soon and should be considered in from of things like ‘No1 in Heaven’. One last thing, ‘The Seduction of Ingmar Bergman’ may only be 42 pence on Emusic but it it definitely one for the completest.
I’ve been aware of them since that scary appearance on TOTP in the early 70s, but just not sufficiently engaged to look further. I guess I thought they were some sort of novelty act. Fast forward to summer 2015 and my ears are ready to be opened. Ta.
I like Sparks a lot but like the idea of them even more. Going against all my rock snob rules I prefer the later stuff….Hello Young Lovers is probably my fave (saw them at The Lowry on that tour and there was a fight in the audience between two plump middle aged men who should have known better…a fight! At a Sparks gig!)
“Perfume” off the album should have been number one everywhere.
How do your rock snob rules work? I’d have thought it was fine on a snob scale to suggest that the lesser known albums are the best. The problem with Sparks is that lesser known really means lesser promoted (or in some cases, in the UK, not promoted at all! I’m looking at you ‘Interior Design’).
I’m struggling with the concept of bad blood at a Sparks gig though. Probably the worst I’ve seen was at the FFS gig in London where there was a bit of pushing but of course that was those upstart FF fans!
You’re right about Perfume though and I don’t even think it’s the best track on the album – that honour goes to “Waterproof”.
Well, rock snob rule number one is basically “I prefer the early stuff” ( ie I’ve liked them for longer than you. )
Interior Design I have no knowledge of at all so in rock snob terms you win!
You’re right about aggro at a Sparks gig…just unreal.
I remember the first time I heard Perfume…Clint Boon played it on some local station and was raving about it…. He was right too. Waterproof is good but not as good but the whole album is brilliant.
Got a soft spot for Gratuitous Sax too…
I guess the important thing is to make sure you also know about the early stuff as well. Of course in Sparks’ case that means being able to hold a a knowledgeable discussion about the Halfnelson ‘Woofer in Tweeters Clothing ‘ Demos. Once you’ve established you know what you’re talking about, you can claim you like anything you like, of course it helps if you’re telling the truth!
We had to move away from fisticuffs at a Pet Shop Boys gig! But that’s Glasgow for you
Though having actually read your post I might have to adopt your theory about later lesser known albums…. Very rock snobbish that!
I’m hoping this post comes after the one that I currently below.
Nope it didn’t…please ignore that last sentence.
Many thanks folks, there’s plenty there to make hay with.
tons more
‘Lil’ Beethoven’ is probably my favourite Sparks album. I tend to prefer the more recent stuff to their older records.
‘Exotic Creatures Of The Deep’ is a very underrated album. ‘Good Morning’ is fantastic!
Saw FFS at The Roxy in London a few weeks ago and was thrilled when they played ‘When Do I Get To Sing ‘My Way”, as that’s another favourite.
My Sparks ten playlist is (in no particular order);
Suburban Homeboy
How Do I Get To Carnegie Hall?
(When I Kiss You) I Hear Charlie Parker Playing
Lighten Up, Morrissey
Pulling Rabbits Out Of A Hat
When Do I Get To Sing ‘My Way’
Dick Around
Photoshop
Good Morning
The Number One Song I Heaven
By Roxy I of course mean Troxy!
Your list illustrates what makes Sparks great. I’m a big fan and my top ten wouldn’t include any of your list. The Troxy gig was so much fun wasn’t it? Having missed out on seeing Sparks in the 70’s despite seeing them countless times, I think that’s the first time I’ve seen “This Town..” played with two guitars, the way it should be. I’m glad they kicked the orchestra thing into touch after only a few gigs it seemed to sap the fun out of Kimono but it did work on some of the more recent stuff.
Yes, the Troxy gig was superb John. My first time seeing Sparks. I wasn’t sure about the whole FFS project, but love the album, and they really bring it together live.
My first visit to the Troxy too – what a lovely venue.
I’d just like to say that Kimono My House is a perfect pop album.
I went to that Lowry concert – can’t recall what the disturbance was about but it was odd.
Anyway, to concur with most others, the top 5 albums you should start with are…
1) Lil Beethoven
2) Hello Young Lovers
3) No 1 Song in Heaven
4) Kimono My House
5) Any of the compilations – to give flavour for rest of their catalogue…
I’m a huge Sparks fan, but can’t get into FFS for some reason. Must try harder as there’s nothing not to like.
Can I hijack the thread for one second – I’m desperate to track down a CD or MP3 version of the acoustic version of This Town…. which appeared as the B-side to Change. It’s not the version with Faith No More, nor the version that’s on Plagiarism. If anyone can help, I’d appreciate it.
Yep! I’ve got a copy – well I think I have! I’ll get back to you later.