In an interview recently, the Human League cited that record as the thing that got them excited and focused on what they were doing. Russell's vocals are not that conducive to prolonged listening sessions and the brothers' 'good cop - bad cop' on stage shtick might come across as a little contrived. The Bolan in the scenario was Russell Mael, a strutting falsetto singer with luscious locks of flowing curls. The band's latest album, The Girl Is Crying in Her Latte, was released on May 26, 2023, via Island Records. When they started playing music, singer Dave Gahan [94] and composer Martin Gore [95] of Depeche Mode cited them as one of their favorite bands.

Sparks Indiscreet (1975)–In The Sparks Brothers documentary someone says this LP was their idea of a Sparks Sgt. Like its predecessor, Hippopotamus, it entered the UK Albums Chart at number 7 and garnered universal critical acclaim. Hasta Manana Monsieur is another lyrical delight while the role-reversed Romeo And Juliet-style theme of Here In Heaven has parts in the verses which always make me think of early Kate Bush. The only element which ended up wearing a bit thin is Russell's decision to sing almost entirely in falsetto; a minor gripe, as this is a remarkable melange of East Village art collective, rock band, punk observation and trippy weirdness.Canadian film director Guy Maddin provided directions based on the screenplay, with Ron and Russell reprising their recorded roles on stage. Sparks The Seduction Of Ingmar Bergman (2009)–I must confess that I’ve never managed to make it all the way through this, which is presented as one single sixty-five minute piece with narration in either Swedish or English. Record Collector magazine named the album as one of its "Best New Albums of 2002", describing it as ". Andy Fisher with some neat guitar work and a solid rhythm section in Martin Gordon and the wonderfully named Dinky Diamond.

The 2002 release of Lil' Beethoven, the duo's self-proclaimed "genre-defining opus", [6] fused repetitive song structures with orchestral arrangements, and brought them renewed critical success. Four tracks were recorded with married couple Fred and Ronna Frank, who were close friends of the Maels at the time. Joey Ramone also mentioned his liking for their records, [103] as did later the group They Might Be Giants. Sparks A Steady Drip, Drip, Drip (2020)–It is difficult to read opening song All That as anything other than a valedictory look back at the brothers’ career and relationship, and if they play it live when they eventually tour again I’m going to blub like a baby. Hospitality on Parade must be very close to being my very favourite Sparks song and I was a little gutted on the last tour when Ron plays the opening piano motiff but then Russell bursts into My Way instead.Sparks Whomp That Sucker (1981)–Opens with the great promise of Tips For Teens but tails off a bit and dare I say it side two is actually a bit boring, something Sparks seldom are. The instrumentation is nothing special, but it doesn’t have to be in this instance since it’s not what drives the album, it’s simply an accompaniment (however the guitar on “Bon Voyage” rules). Now, listening to the album Kimono My House, I’m not saying it is so bad but somehow the music is not attractive.