When the first single landed, I admit to being a tad concerned about the album. There was something typically Sparks-ian about the video featuring Cate Blanchett dancing in headphones with Ron and Russell in the background. But I wasn't enamoured of the song - nice enough, but didn't seem to have a lot of depth or invention.
But, when the album arrived, all fears were quickly dispelled and I found myself thinking "well, they done it again haven't they. Another superb addition to their 50+ years and 26 album catalogue.
However, as I listen from Track 1, each listen suggests my misgivings for the title track are slowly be displaced. From there on, what would a Sparks album be without trying to cover as many genre bases as possible? Which is exactly what the do. Name a style, and they've probably got it covered - and within each song Ron seems to find a new, undiscovered demo sequence in his synth banks.
The album has 14 tracks, so rather than give a detailed run through of each I'm cherry picking the higher-highlights.
Much of the reviews I've read so far make a point of stating that this album marks a return to Island records, their first label, and the release of their breakthrough album 'Kimono My House' in 1974 (49 years ago). And the track "Nothing Is As Good As They Say It Is" has the sound and feel of those times. It may be the most straightforward constructed song here (verse, chorus, solid drums, nifty 70s-esque classic rock guitar solo), but how many other bands would write a song from the perspective of a 22 hour old baby wanting to return to it's mothers belly.
"The Mona Lisa's Packing Leaving Late Tonight" is a big Sparks baroque production with African drums. And only Sparks can construct a song about the Mona Lisa's enigmatic smile hiding more emotions. Comes complete with one of Ron's best plinky-plonk (not a great description, but I hope you get what I mean) synth inserts.
"We Go Dancing" is a virtual straight dance track (think "Number One Song In Heaven" sans Giorgio Moroder) and gives Russell the chance to weave a few long words into the narrative.
"When You Leave" has Russell dueting with himself observing that members of the party are just waiting for him to leave so they can break out the good music and heavy Belgian beers. As he says, he's staying just to annoy them.
"Take Me For A Ride" sounds like a future entry for my Car series mentioning the Chevy Powerglide. For this one they go a bit Krautrock backing Russell's near falsetto vocal.
And that's only half the album spoken of - there is so much more to enjoy, as it races towards the closer "Gee That Was Fun", which for all expected Sparks tongue-in-cheek, turning the narrative on it's head sounds like a straight ballad looking back at a life together.
Of course it's possible to read it (mis-read it?) as a sign-off to the audience.
And yes 49 years of albums from 2 men with a combined age (now) of 151, if this is the last then Gee, that was fun.
I sincerely hope I have mis-read that song, and plenty more madcap melodies, twisted lyrical passages, and entertainment will be forthcoming
And as the publicity run has mentioned it, if you've not seen Edgar Wright's film The Sparks Brothers, then do yourself a favour and search it out on your steaming platform of choice.
"Nothing Is As Good As They Say It Is"
"When You Leave"
"The Mona Lisa's Packing Leaving Late Tonight"
This is on my list (as is the film), though like you, the single didn't get me immediately rushing to hear the rest of the album.
ReplyDelete