Sparks - Past Tense - Best Of Sparks [3XLP] (New Vinyl LP)

Brothers Ron and Russell Mael grew up in Los Angeles in the ‘60s, and were obsessed with rock and roll and pop culture. In 1968 the pair decided to form a band. They originally called themselves Halfnelson and signed with Bearsville Records and got Todd Rundgren to produce their debut album which flopped. A name change was agreed and their label suggested Sparks Brothers. From there it was a short edit to arrive at Sparks. Their debut was repackaged and re-released and sold roughly the same, though the single “Wonder Girl” did get airplay in Los Angeles. A second album followed causing even more subdued enthusiasm.

At this point Ron and Russell packed their bags and moved to England. Hooking up with producer Muff Winwood, they were signed to Island Records and formed a new version of the band with British players. The change was just what was needed. From 1974 through 1975, Sparks released the three key albums that most fans still consider a holy trinity of sorts. The single “This Town Ain’t Big Enough for Both of Us” was released in 1974 and shot to No. 2 on the U.K. charts. The unlikely hit struck a chord with its glam-affected guitars, triumphant rhythm and far from average vocal style of Russell. This was the first of eight Top 40 U.K. hits in a row for the band.

Sparks moved with the times travelling from glam to pop via big band and hard rock before crashing into both New Wave and disco along the way. By the early ‘80s, the Maels had moved back home to L.A. and formed yet another version of the band. This time around, they would find some success Stateside with songs like “I Predict” and “Cool Places” (which featured Jane Wiedlin of the Go-Gos).

As time moved on, Ron and Russell became more interested in, and reliant upon, electronics, making a series of more synth-pop albums. Though the music had changed, their sense of humor and wit remained intact. In 1997, they released the album ‘Plagiarism’, which featured re-workings of old songs with help from such varied sources as Faith No More and Erasure. Some of the songs used full orchestration, which would in part signal their next move. The ground breaking album Lil’ Beethoven was released in 2002 to much fanfare. Most fans and critics hailed it their best work since the mid-’70s.

Tracklist

A1    Sparks–    Wonder Girl
A2    Sparks–    Girl From Germany
A3    Sparks–    This Town Ain't Big Enough For Both Of Us
A4    Sparks–    Amateur Hour
A5    Sparks–    Never Turn Your Back On Mother Earth
A6    Sparks–    Something For The Girl With Everything

B1    Sparks–    Get In The Swing
B2    Sparks–    Big Boy
B3    Sparks–    Forever Young
B4    Sparks–    The Number One Song In Heaven

C1    Sparks–    Tryouts For The Human Race
C2    Sparks–    When I'm With You
C3    Sparks–    Funny Face
C4    Sparks–    I Predict
C5    Sparks with Jane Wiedlin–    Cool Places

D1    Sparks–    With All My Might
D2    Sparks–    Change
D3    Sparks–    Music That You Can Dance To
D4    Sparks–    So Important

E1    Sparks–    When Do I Get To Sing 'My Way'
E2    Sparks–    Pulling Rabbits Out Of A Hat
E3    Sparks–    The Calm Before The Storm
E4    Sparks–    The Rhythm Thief

F1    Sparks–    Dick Around
F2    Sparks–    Good Morning
F3    F·F·S*–    Johnny Delusional
F4    Sparks–    Edith Piaf (Said It Better Than Me)