I don't get it. I've tried listening to these guys and it just sounds like over produced, over synthesized, drum machine stuff similar to Devo. I really don't hear any melody in any of their songs. I can't understand the fascination with this group.
@@CSMuffin But the 5% I'm listening to is Propaganda and Kimono My House, according to most,. and you, their best two albums. If I find those two albums unoriginal and repetitive where do i find better stuff from them?
Try their recent best of compilation called Past Tense. I am just saying give them a chance like I did and many others have... but perhaps they are not for you. Not everyone is going to love the same music.
Massive Sparks fan just like yourself. My favourite has always been: Big Beat. It's got clever lyrics and hard rocking sound that's different to their other albums. I know it's not their best(Kimono, Propaganda and Indiscreet are) but I love it!🎸
Thank you for compiling this ranking of your favorite Sparks albums. I must say, it's because of you that I have become a fan of Sparks. Prior to discovering your channel, I was only familiar with the song "Cool Places" which they dueted with Jane Wiedlin of the Go-Go's. I plan on seeing them at the Hollywood Bowl next month, can't wait !! Thank you Larry!!
I really enjoyed this. I just watched the Sparks Brothers movie and loved it. I knew almost nothing about them and had never even heard of them before discovering your channel 7 years ago. The movie was so engaging plus Ron and Russel are so likeable. I think I will start listening to their albums.
Excellent ranking. I'm delighted with their new album and it is the perfect length. I thought the last two proper albums were just a bit too long. My no. 1 album is Indiscreet which just brilliant in it's diversity.
*I did not include the "The Seduction of Ingmar Bergman" soundtrack in this ranking. I would rate it near the bottom, but I do enjoy it.* *SPARKS SPOTIFY PLAYLIST (1971 - 2023):* open.spotify.com/playlist/6dCNTD2DMCDC4R8WBvk1EX?si=2e446262cb77431a *THANK YOU TO MY PATREON MEMBERS!: JOIN HERE (FREE TRIAL):* www.patreon.com/LarryGraves Zach Walentiny Julie Medeiros All The World's A Stage John Miller Mr Cool Ethan Miller Craig Morden Juan Arnie Porter Jamie Dunn Bob Penn Ayden Donley NapalmMacbeth Paul Ayers Joseph Robertson Josh Davis Tastes Like Music Michael Farmer Tears In Rain Pow Barabajagal Christophe Paris MrLaLaLaElmo *THANK YOU TO MY CZcams MEMBERS! JOIN HERE:* czcams.com/channels/ug-FoKfBmPBI-N3BD4_8rw.htmljoin Celia House PiscesEmpress1978 Grant Arthur Michael Hiltz Brady Fullam JackTheMusicGuy Mda87 David Miller Grant's Rock Warehaus VOZZIO Drew Robertson Jet Nova George P Samuel Sandén Mike McLintock Robb Nasinovish David Todd Jumper Mack Fatty Jakob's Prog World Julie Mederos Joe Crivello evan shear Stomach Bug Arttu Luomanen Jason Pegg Christopher Gile Pow Barabajagal Bryer VC Joseph Robertson Juan S Emiliano Perez Bös Iwana tinkle Michael Garbutt j ferguson lesterbangs Vincent van Rooijen Eddy Schilt Jonathan Gray MostlyLoveOfMusic Ayden Donley Fraser Sked MegaTallica Peter Benn trickyricky77 Anastasia25 Plaid Shirt Guy Ken Domik Reaction Channel Andy's Treasure Trove Please Subscribe, Like, Comment and Share! Hit the bell to receive all notifications!
Hello! Thanks for your video. This is my firs dig in Sparks discography. I dublicated your playlist on CZcams Music: music.czcams.com/users/browseVLPL6-lCEsz6bjOctOKf-jQRsibmVbufSWzb Saved your 15 mins :)
My ranking changes all the time. If I had to rank at this moment… 1. Lil Beethoven 2. Whomp That Sucker 3. In Outer Space (this one has grown on me a lot over the years. I love the production and fun songs) 4. Angst in My Pants 5. Propaganda 6. Introducing 7. No1 In Heaven 8. Big Beat 9. Kimono My House 10. Halfnelson 11. Indiscreet 12. Balls 13. Pulling Rabbits 14. A Steady Drip 15. Hello Young Lovers 16. Exotic Creatures 17. Hippopotamus 18. Latte (only listened to it once so it might grow on me more. Still love it) 19. Woofer (simply not listened to it enough. It could climb upon more listens) 20. Gratuitous Sax 21. Music That You can Dance To 22. Interior Design 23. Terminal Jive 24. Plagiarism
Heya Larry! You got me into Sparks way back when I discovered your channel in 2018! Indiscreet is definitely Top 3 for best glam rock albums of all-time, and Girl Is Crying... is a great album! By no connection, I got huge into Todd Rundgren through the years so it's pretty cool he produced the Halfnelson album. The duo always remind me of you and what it means to be a music fan - cheers Larry!
Hi Larry, i enjoy your channel very much, im gonna have to buy me a Sparks album! I like to purchase the albums so i wont listen online, and ive decided to go with 'no.1 in heaven' i'll have a look online for it and get back to you on how i feel about it! Thanks for this video!
Great review! I have been a sparks fan for 50 years now. They have weathered through my interest in punk, sinth pop, ska, new romantic stuff, 90s trance and hard house. But.. after all these decades I love sparks music the best!!
"Welcome for Flying Aeroflot" Can only be appreciated by men who were looking for a wife back in the ineteen nineties with the marriage agencies who traveled the perilous Aeroflot who did not believe in changing tires! My plane had metal exposed under the rubber of the tires of the plane I flew on. The most brilliant "dual meaning" lyric which is beyond genius "we have reservations"....OH HOW PERSONAL THIS WAS FOR ME!
I’ve noticed that sparks have always kinda haven’t been mainstream but have always had a great cult following. Usually the people I know that have heard of sparks usually really likes them so they are hard not to like it seems
Impressive you could do this all over again with newer additions! I never could as you know :P but many of them I would also agree for top 10 and 5 as well at least. For me one of the greatest sensations with music is discovering it and then rediscovering it later on. I call the latter the ‘golden era’ because that’s when you really start to appreciate the artists and their music, even more than the first time whether you already did, kind of did or didn’t as much; you usually dive deeper into it too as a result. For me I was glad to get back into these guys after seeing their new song from Cyriak’s channel: ‘The Existential Threat’, which is a blast in itself. It put me back onto Sparks and the trip was well worth it, and made even better when listening to you and a few others who also like the band talk about it as well. So, like many other bands and artists still going today, I think we are in for some very interesting and enriching times musically. Especially with how this music from the previous century carries over into the next, and stands out from it too.
Their first two albums are super underrated. I’d personally have their first five albums as my top five (not sure of the order) and my #6 would be Number One In Heaven
That is how I see it too. And, regarding other lists I've seen, I don't know how someone can rank Kimono at #1 and not have those other 4 (Sparks, Woofer, Propaganda, Indiscrete) close by.
My favourite is Indiscreet, there version of the White Album. Ragtime jazz, marching bands, swing, and string quartets. Amazing. I enjoy all there albums-still hugely underrated
I just became a big SPARKS fan about two years ago from seeing The SPARKS Brothers documentary trailer. So far I only have 5 albums on CD. (I have more on order.) I got: 1.Sparks (1971) 2.Kimono My House (1974) 3.Propaganda (1974) 4.Gratuitious Sax And Senseless Violins (2019 the one with 3 discs) 5.A Steady Drip Drip Drip (2020) Propaganda is my favorite so far. I play it a lot!
I discovered Sparks in 1976. Love seeing, "Introducing" getting a re-evaluation. It is in my top three and has been since first listen. My number one never changes, which is, "Indiscreet." Great countdown!
Great video. I like how you say what your favorite songs are on each album; it gives the viewer an idea how their taste lines up with yours. Your ranking list, of the ones I've seen out there, most closely aligns to mine, but of course everyone's list is going to be different. For me, the first 5 albums (Sparks to Indiscrete) are above anything else they've done. Not that they haven't put out great albums after that, but I could listen to every song on those first 5 albums and be excited when each one started playing. I think Big Beat is a dud, except for the bonus tracks, which obviously weren't recorded at the same time as the album, totally different production. Introducing is ok, #1 in Heaven is glorious, Terminal Jive is a letdown, Whomp/Angst/Outer Space are great 80's new wave, and then the next 3 albums are a bit of a bummer before picking up again with Gratuitous Sax. Beethoven is a nice gear, Lovers is good to, but then just skip to Hippopotamus for things to get really good again. Ok, ALL the albums are good, but if I were to be critical and give a percentage for each album, where this percentage indicates the number of great tracks on the album, some albums dip as low as 30% and the great ones go to 80%...only the first 5 and maybe Heaven get 100%
Have fun seeing Sparks in Toronto, Larry!!! If you can, please reupload your original Sparks ranking from 2015(?). I’d love to see how your opinion has changed over time of their albums and plus it was the first video I’d had ever seen on your channel!
My ranking is also changing every now and then but usually not drastically for the top and bottom. And I do like each and every album. Here's my current ranking, the new album and Annette included. It's based on how much I personally love the album as a whole, not just how good I think it is objectively or how iconic it is. 1. Indiscreet 2. Lil Beethoven 3. Hello Young Lovers 4. Propaganda 5. Sparks/Halfnelson 6. Big Beat 7. In Outer Space 8. A Steady Drip Drip Drip 9. Kimono My House 10. No. 1 in Heaven 11. Gratuitous Sax and Senseless Violins 12. FFS 13. Hippopotamus 14. Angst In My Pants 15. A Woofer in Tweeter’s Clothing 16. Exotic Creatures of the Deep 17. The Girl Is Crying In Her Latte 18. The Seduction of Ingmar Bergman 19. Annette 20. Whomp That Sucker 21. Music That You Can Dance To 22. Balls 23. Introducing Sparks 24. Pulling Rabbits Out of a Hat 25. Plagiarism 26. Terminal Jive 27. Interior Design
I bought " Indicreet ", great and it's also a moment frozen in time, 1975 mood, feeling to it, People were different no Smartphone in sight etc...that makes it 7 albums for me...26 albums, WoW.
Good for you sir! Sparks were so original that it seemed like proto new wave etc when in essence they just were...natural avant garde pop...love the first 5 lps myself...
At this moment my ranking will be 1. Halfnelson 2. Woofer In Tweeter’s Clothing 3. Hello Young Lovers 4. Kimono My House 5. Big Beat (21st century version) 6. The Girl is Crying in Her Latte 7. Lil’ Beethoven 8. Indiscreet 9. Propaganda 10. Angst in My Pants 11. Introducing Sparks 12. Pulling Rabbits Out of a Hat 13. Whomp That Sucker 14. Exotic Creatures of the Deep 15. No.1 in Heaven 16. A Steady Drip, Drip, Drip 17. Gratuitous Sax & Senseless Violins 18. Hippopotamus 19. In Outer Space 20. Terminal Jive 21. Music That You Can Dance To 22. Balls 23. Interior Design
My new Top 5: 1. Kimono My House 2. Sparks 3. The Girl Is Crying In Her Latte 4. Big Beat 5. Angst In My Pants P.S. Did you happen to notice the new album reached #7 in the UK AGAIN?!? Third time’s the charm!
You should look for the Annette Unlimited Edition ! Cannes Edition is only « excerpts » (not an english native speaker, don’t know if it’s the right word). You’re missing almost an hour and a half of pretty good content ! Great video tho, it’s been a fun ride waiting for the album with your channel
Imo it’s a far more interesting work than most of their albums (I love them all). It’s like The Seduction of Ingmar Bergman on steroids ! Can’t wait for X Crucior :)
rank album 28 Pulling Rabbits Out of a Hat 27 Plagiarism 25 Music That You Can Dance To 24 Interior Design 23 Balls 22 Gratuitous Sax & Senseless Violins 21 Annette 20 Terminal Jive 19 In Outer Space 18 A Woofer in Tweeter's Clothing 16 The Girl is Crying in Her Latte 15 Introducing Sparks 14 Big Beat 13 No. 1 in Heaven 12 FFS 11 Lil' Beethoven 10 Halfnelson 9 A Steady Drip, Drip, Drip 8 Exotic Creatures of the Deep 7 Angst in My Pants 6 Hello Young Lovers 5 Hippopotamus 4 Indiscreet 3 Whomp That Sucker 2 Kimono My House 1 Propaganda Thanks for the ranks, as always Larry. I still have Propaganda slightly above Kimono at the end of the day, but it is a tough call. Kimono is a definitely a more perfect album, I just like the songs on Propaganda a lot more. Not only that, I think the songs on Propaganda are so much cooler and so much more weird, but yes you've made me think about my personal ranking. There is no album in history like Kimono My House, and it is much more accessible than Sparks' later albums. They should have just released a double album at the end of '74, both albums combined.
The new album all the way up at #5, I wonder how much of that is excitement for a new album? It will be interesting to see where it ranks later on. I'm not even a fan and I like some of the new songs. "When You Leave" is kind of like a new Kinks song. Very similar to Ray Davies' quirky writing.
I don't know if you realised or if it was deliberate but you missed out The Seduction of Ingmar Bergman, but then you included Annette, which I can't include as i have never heard it. My own choices would be: 1. A Steady Drip Drip Drip 2. Big Beat 3. Indiscreet 4. Kimono My House 5, Number one in Heaven 6, The Girl is crying in her latte 7. Pulling rabbits out of a hat 8. Balls 9. introducing Sparks 10. FFS 11. Whomp that sucker 12. Halfnelson/Sparks 13. Angst in my pants 14. A woofer in tweeter's clothing 15, Propaganda 16. The seduction of Ingmar Bergman 17. Hippopotamus 18, Gratuitous sax and senseless violins 19, Terminal Jive 20. In outer space 21. Exotic creatures of the deep 22. Lil' Beethoven 23. Plagiarism 24. Music that you can dance to 25. Interior Design 26, Hello young lovers
Props to you for putting Big Beat at number 2. I thought I was the only one that rated that album. It's without doubt my numero 1. It rocks and it's fun. Unbeatable!
My top 5 are 1. Indiscreet 2. No.1 in heaven 3. Propaganda 4. Kimono my house 5. Hippopotamus. I just checked the UK midweek charts and the girl is crying in her latte has entered at number 6. 😎
I find it interesting that they covered Cut The Crap by The Clash.. I know that even Joe Strummer didn't like that album. No Mick Jones on that Clash album. I own that album and I like a few of the songs on it including the song Cut The Crap.. So it's me and The Sparks that like The Clash album Cut The Crap.. Maybe a few more people like it.. )^_-)/ Need to check out The Sparks.. Johnny Lydon likes them and that's saying something because he usually bashes other artists.. He does have a chosen bunch of artists that he likes and The Sparks is one of them.. Greetings from New Jersey my Canadian friend.. )^_-)/
I actually don’t think TGICIHL is quite as good as Hippopotamus or A Steady Drip, Drip. But It’s still a great album & continues the renaissance of Sparks. These recent 3 albums have certainly brought Sparks a new audience and lots of positive attention. But, of the 3, I’d put A Steady Drip as No 1. Where would I put the new one in terms of the discography? Certainly in the top 10. And A Steady Drip would be at least in the top 5. Kimono My House will always be my No. 1.
I find the electronic stuff mostly boring. The synthetic sound lacks personality in my opinion. But… I kinda dig number 1 song in Heaven. That early Giorgio-synthetizer-stuff sounds very unique. Only 6 songs, but they are all great compositions. But I digress. The first two albums are VERY quirky and fun. My fave is Woofer in Tweeter’s Clothing. Kimono, Propaganda and Indiscreet are brilliant too, probably the first one comes next. Then No 1 Song. Then Introducing and then Big Beat. Later on, they do have great songs here and there, but personally I wouldn’t bother listening to any of their albums after 1979.
I agree, not only with your No1 and No2, but the least-liked "In My Family". I don't dislike it, as such, it's just a bit... meh, compared to the rest.
I don't get it. I've tried listening to these guys and it just sounds like over produced, over synthesized, drum machine stuff similar to Devo. I really don't hear any melody in any of their songs. I can't understand the fascination with this group.
You described about 5% of their sound. You'll find something you love if you keep listening. P.S. Most of their albums have superb production.
@@CSMuffin But the 5% I'm listening to is Propaganda and Kimono My House, according to most,. and you, their best two albums. If I find those two albums unoriginal and repetitive where do i find better stuff from them?
Try their recent best of compilation called Past Tense. I am just saying give them a chance like I did and many others have... but perhaps they are not for you. Not everyone is going to love the same music.
Larry,I think you're the third Sparks brother,can you imagine you on stage with Ron and Russel?,you guy's would change the world! Bob
A man who is willing to change his mind!
Never let what you’ve said before define you Larry! Go for it brother!❤❤❤
Their album art creativity set the highest bar of awesomeness...nobody else comes within 1000 miles.
Massive Sparks fan just like yourself. My favourite has always been: Big Beat. It's got clever lyrics and hard rocking sound that's different to their other albums. I know it's not their best(Kimono, Propaganda and Indiscreet are) but I love it!🎸
Big Beat is endlessly listenable. My favorite tracks are White Women and Throw her away and get a new one.
Hmm see I love kimono, propaganda and indiscreet but I don't like big beat for some reason.
Great review Larry, My top 3, No 1 Propaganda, No 2, Kimono My House, No 3, A Woofer In Tweeters Clothing.
Thank you for compiling this ranking of your favorite Sparks albums. I must say, it's because of you that I have become a fan of Sparks. Prior to discovering your channel, I was only familiar with the song "Cool Places" which they dueted with Jane Wiedlin of the Go-Go's. I plan on seeing them at the Hollywood Bowl next month, can't wait !! Thank you Larry!!
As someone who's only casually familiar with Sparks, it appears I have some homework to do. Thanks, as always!
Super update Larry, you are the Canadian Sparks expert! Hope you get a chance to meet them or interview them virtually. Enjoy the upcoming concert!!
LIVE IN LONDON (APPROX 1999) ...LOVE IT....
My favorite Sparks albums:
1. Propaganda (1974)
2. Whomp That Sucker (1981)
3. Kimono My House (1974)
Larry, Sparks are No 2 in Scottish album charts.
Awesome!
Nice video Larry! The new Sparks album is pretty good!
I really enjoyed this. I just watched the Sparks Brothers movie and loved it. I knew almost nothing about them and had never even heard of them before discovering your channel 7 years ago. The movie was so engaging plus Ron and Russel are so likeable. I think I will start listening to their albums.
Awesome! If you like synth based music, No. 1 In Heaven is amazing.
@@CSMuffin I just bought their 3 disc greatest hits. I just pressed the purchase button two minutes ago.
@@AnthonyKiyola Yes, that is a great starting point. The first song Computer Girl is from 1967!
Excellent ranking. I'm delighted with their new album and it is the perfect length. I thought the last two proper albums were just a bit too long. My no. 1 album is Indiscreet which just brilliant in it's diversity.
Larry, Sparks are No 7 today in UK charts with The girl is crying in her latte album.
*I did not include the "The Seduction of Ingmar Bergman" soundtrack in this ranking. I would rate it near the bottom, but I do enjoy it.*
*SPARKS SPOTIFY PLAYLIST (1971 - 2023):* open.spotify.com/playlist/6dCNTD2DMCDC4R8WBvk1EX?si=2e446262cb77431a
*THANK YOU TO MY PATREON MEMBERS!: JOIN HERE (FREE TRIAL):* www.patreon.com/LarryGraves Zach Walentiny Julie Medeiros All The World's A Stage John Miller Mr Cool Ethan Miller Craig Morden Juan Arnie Porter Jamie Dunn Bob Penn Ayden Donley NapalmMacbeth Paul Ayers Joseph Robertson Josh Davis Tastes Like Music Michael Farmer Tears In Rain Pow Barabajagal Christophe Paris MrLaLaLaElmo *THANK YOU TO MY CZcams MEMBERS! JOIN HERE:* czcams.com/channels/ug-FoKfBmPBI-N3BD4_8rw.htmljoin Celia House PiscesEmpress1978 Grant Arthur Michael Hiltz Brady Fullam JackTheMusicGuy Mda87 David Miller Grant's Rock Warehaus VOZZIO Drew Robertson Jet Nova George P Samuel Sandén Mike McLintock Robb Nasinovish David Todd Jumper Mack Fatty Jakob's Prog World Julie Mederos Joe Crivello evan shear Stomach Bug Arttu Luomanen Jason Pegg Christopher Gile Pow Barabajagal Bryer VC Joseph Robertson Juan S Emiliano Perez Bös Iwana tinkle Michael Garbutt j ferguson lesterbangs Vincent van Rooijen Eddy Schilt Jonathan Gray MostlyLoveOfMusic Ayden Donley Fraser Sked MegaTallica Peter Benn trickyricky77 Anastasia25 Plaid Shirt Guy Ken Domik Reaction Channel Andy's Treasure Trove
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Hello!
Thanks for your video. This is my firs dig in Sparks discography.
I dublicated your playlist on CZcams Music:
music.czcams.com/users/browseVLPL6-lCEsz6bjOctOKf-jQRsibmVbufSWzb
Saved your 15 mins :)
My ranking changes all the time. If I had to rank at this moment…
1. Lil Beethoven
2. Whomp That Sucker
3. In Outer Space (this one has grown on me a lot over the years. I love the production and fun songs)
4. Angst in My Pants
5. Propaganda
6. Introducing
7. No1 In Heaven
8. Big Beat
9. Kimono My House
10. Halfnelson
11. Indiscreet
12. Balls
13. Pulling Rabbits
14. A Steady Drip
15. Hello Young Lovers
16. Exotic Creatures
17. Hippopotamus
18. Latte (only listened to it once so it might grow on me more. Still love it)
19. Woofer (simply not listened to it enough. It could climb upon more listens)
20. Gratuitous Sax
21. Music That You can Dance To
22. Interior Design
23. Terminal Jive
24. Plagiarism
Heya Larry! You got me into Sparks way back when I discovered your channel in 2018! Indiscreet is definitely Top 3 for best glam rock albums of all-time, and Girl Is Crying... is a great album! By no connection, I got huge into Todd Rundgren through the years so it's pretty cool he produced the Halfnelson album. The duo always remind me of you and what it means to be a music fan - cheers Larry!
Hi Larry, i enjoy your channel very much, im gonna have to buy me a Sparks album! I like to purchase the albums so i wont listen online, and ive decided to go with 'no.1 in heaven' i'll have a look online for it and get back to you on how i feel about it! Thanks for this video!
Great review! I have been a sparks fan for 50 years now. They have weathered through my interest in punk, sinth pop, ska, new romantic stuff, 90s trance and hard house. But.. after all these decades I love sparks music the best!!
Their lyrical creativity towers above any band in history. Every play on words imaginable will be covered when they are done.
How he memorizes the lyrics is MIRACLE!!!
R and R Hall of Fame needs to put them in. Over 50 years!!!!
🎉 Please do a ranking of Sparks album covers!!! Propaganda and Indiscreet are awesome
"Welcome for Flying Aeroflot" Can only be appreciated by men who were looking for a wife back in the ineteen nineties with the marriage agencies who traveled the perilous Aeroflot who did not believe in changing tires! My plane had metal exposed under the rubber of the tires of the plane I flew on. The most brilliant "dual meaning" lyric which is beyond genius "we have reservations"....OH HOW PERSONAL THIS WAS FOR ME!
@@Rbl7132 already did... czcams.com/video/nKt6Yn7sR0k/video.htmlfeature=shared
I’ve noticed that sparks have always kinda haven’t been mainstream but have always had a great cult following. Usually the people I know that have heard of sparks usually really likes them so they are hard not to like it seems
Impressive you could do this all over again with newer additions! I never could as you know :P but many of them I would also agree for top 10 and 5 as well at least.
For me one of the greatest sensations with music is discovering it and then rediscovering it later on. I call the latter the ‘golden era’ because that’s when you really start to appreciate the artists and their music, even more than the first time whether you already did, kind of did or didn’t as much; you usually dive deeper into it too as a result. For me I was glad to get back into these guys after seeing their new song from Cyriak’s channel: ‘The Existential Threat’, which is a blast in itself. It put me back onto Sparks and the trip was well worth it, and made even better when listening to you and a few others who also like the band talk about it as well.
So, like many other bands and artists still going today, I think we are in for some very interesting and enriching times musically. Especially with how this music from the previous century carries over into the next, and stands out from it too.
Their first two albums are super underrated. I’d personally have their first five albums as my top five (not sure of the order) and my #6 would be Number One In Heaven
That is how I see it too. And, regarding other lists I've seen, I don't know how someone can rank Kimono at #1 and not have those other 4 (Sparks, Woofer, Propaganda, Indiscrete) close by.
My favourite is Indiscreet, there version of the White Album. Ragtime jazz, marching bands, swing, and string quartets. Amazing.
I enjoy all there albums-still hugely underrated
I just became a big SPARKS fan about two years ago from seeing The SPARKS Brothers documentary trailer.
So far I only have 5 albums on CD. (I have more on order.) I got:
1.Sparks (1971)
2.Kimono My House (1974)
3.Propaganda (1974)
4.Gratuitious Sax And Senseless Violins (2019 the one with 3 discs)
5.A Steady Drip Drip Drip (2020)
Propaganda is my favorite so far. I play it a lot!
I discovered Sparks in 1976. Love seeing, "Introducing" getting a re-evaluation. It is in my top three and has been since first listen. My number one never changes, which is, "Indiscreet." Great countdown!
Great show, interesting ranking, excellent taste! Sparks forever!!
Larry I can see the frustration in your face it's hard love celia xxx
Great video. I like how you say what your favorite songs are on each album; it gives the viewer an idea how their taste lines up with yours. Your ranking list, of the ones I've seen out there, most closely aligns to mine, but of course everyone's list is going to be different. For me, the first 5 albums (Sparks to Indiscrete) are above anything else they've done. Not that they haven't put out great albums after that, but I could listen to every song on those first 5 albums and be excited when each one started playing. I think Big Beat is a dud, except for the bonus tracks, which obviously weren't recorded at the same time as the album, totally different production. Introducing is ok, #1 in Heaven is glorious, Terminal Jive is a letdown, Whomp/Angst/Outer Space are great 80's new wave, and then the next 3 albums are a bit of a bummer before picking up again with Gratuitous Sax. Beethoven is a nice gear, Lovers is good to, but then just skip to Hippopotamus for things to get really good again. Ok, ALL the albums are good, but if I were to be critical and give a percentage for each album, where this percentage indicates the number of great tracks on the album, some albums dip as low as 30% and the great ones go to 80%...only the first 5 and maybe Heaven get 100%
Have fun seeing Sparks in Toronto, Larry!!!
If you can, please reupload your original Sparks ranking from 2015(?). I’d love to see how your opinion has changed over time of their albums and plus it was the first video I’d had ever seen on your channel!
My ranking is also changing every now and then but usually not drastically for the top and bottom. And I do like each and every album. Here's my current ranking, the new album and Annette included. It's based on how much I personally love the album as a whole, not just how good I think it is objectively or how iconic it is.
1. Indiscreet
2. Lil Beethoven
3. Hello Young Lovers
4. Propaganda
5. Sparks/Halfnelson
6. Big Beat
7. In Outer Space
8. A Steady Drip Drip Drip
9. Kimono My House
10. No. 1 in Heaven
11. Gratuitous Sax and Senseless Violins
12. FFS
13. Hippopotamus
14. Angst In My Pants
15. A Woofer in Tweeter’s Clothing
16. Exotic Creatures of the Deep
17. The Girl Is Crying In Her Latte
18. The Seduction of Ingmar Bergman
19. Annette
20. Whomp That Sucker
21. Music That You Can Dance To
22. Balls
23. Introducing Sparks
24. Pulling Rabbits Out of a Hat
25. Plagiarism
26. Terminal Jive
27. Interior Design
It is very difficult to rank in decending order of preference. Those first five are tough to top Woofer - Bigbeat. INDECREET is my all-time favorite !
My favourite Sparks album is Propaganda. I also heard their recent one and it's very very good!
I have the original vinyl of Kimono My House that I bought after a read a review. Still my favourite album ever. Cheers for this…
I bought " Indicreet ", great and it's also a moment frozen in time, 1975 mood, feeling to it, People were different no Smartphone in sight etc...that makes it 7 albums for me...26 albums, WoW.
Good for you sir! Sparks were so original that it seemed like proto new wave etc when in essence they just were...natural avant garde pop...love the first 5 lps myself...
A really begin to love sparks music, i love it more and more thanks larry 👍✌️
Thanks Marvin! 🙂
At this moment my ranking will be
1. Halfnelson
2. Woofer In Tweeter’s Clothing
3. Hello Young Lovers
4. Kimono My House
5. Big Beat (21st century version)
6. The Girl is Crying in Her Latte
7. Lil’ Beethoven
8. Indiscreet
9. Propaganda
10. Angst in My Pants
11. Introducing Sparks
12. Pulling Rabbits Out of a Hat
13. Whomp That Sucker
14. Exotic Creatures of the Deep
15. No.1 in Heaven
16. A Steady Drip, Drip, Drip
17. Gratuitous Sax & Senseless Violins
18. Hippopotamus
19. In Outer Space
20. Terminal Jive
21. Music That You Can Dance To
22. Balls
23. Interior Design
thanks for this detailed album review, I fully agree with your top 3 - the Sparks' holy vinyl trinity ❤
Enjoyed the reviews. TY...
My new Top 5:
1. Kimono My House
2. Sparks
3. The Girl Is Crying In Her Latte
4. Big Beat
5. Angst In My Pants
P.S. Did you happen to notice the new album reached #7 in the UK AGAIN?!? Third time’s the charm!
Yes, and #1 in UK CD sales.
I skipped to the end of your video to make sure you picked the correct #1, and you did. Thank you.
You should look for the Annette Unlimited Edition ! Cannes Edition is only « excerpts » (not an english native speaker, don’t know if it’s the right word).
You’re missing almost an hour and a half of pretty good content !
Great video tho, it’s been a fun ride waiting for the album with your channel
Imo it’s a far more interesting work than most of their albums (I love them all).
It’s like The Seduction of Ingmar Bergman on steroids !
Can’t wait for X Crucior :)
rank album
28 Pulling Rabbits Out of a Hat
27 Plagiarism
25 Music That You Can Dance To
24 Interior Design
23 Balls
22 Gratuitous Sax & Senseless Violins
21 Annette
20 Terminal Jive
19 In Outer Space
18 A Woofer in Tweeter's Clothing
16 The Girl is Crying in Her Latte
15 Introducing Sparks
14 Big Beat
13 No. 1 in Heaven
12 FFS
11 Lil' Beethoven
10 Halfnelson
9 A Steady Drip, Drip, Drip
8 Exotic Creatures of the Deep
7 Angst in My Pants
6 Hello Young Lovers
5 Hippopotamus
4 Indiscreet
3 Whomp That Sucker
2 Kimono My House
1 Propaganda
Thanks for the ranks, as always Larry. I still have Propaganda slightly above Kimono at the end of the day, but it is a tough call. Kimono is a definitely a more perfect album, I just like the songs on Propaganda a lot more. Not only that, I think the songs on Propaganda are so much cooler and so much more weird, but yes you've made me think about my personal ranking. There is no album in history like Kimono My House, and it is much more accessible than Sparks' later albums. They should have just released a double album at the end of '74, both albums combined.
I wish they would play "Sex Town U.S.A." live.
you are pretty photogenic!
Your list ranks close to mine. I also enjoy your personality and unique chuckle.
Thanks very much!
interesting... my ranking would be completely different. interior design is one of my most played albums (admittedly mostly due to "toughest girl...")
The new album all the way up at #5, I wonder how much of that is excitement for a new album? It will be interesting to see where it ranks later on. I'm not even a fan and I like some of the new songs. "When You Leave" is kind of like a new Kinks song. Very similar to Ray Davies' quirky writing.
Great video as usual. I do like Sparks version of fingertips but i think i may prefer the 1962 stevie wonder original (pt 2)
They collaborated with Franz Ferdinand? I have to check that out.
czcams.com/video/rCxLpte5loY/video.html
Have you seen their documentary??? Good stuff..
Excellent call. Hard for any of the other23 albums to get near the 3 1970s Island LPs though Side 1 of Woofer and Hippopotamus gets close.
i agree, The Girl is Crying in Her Latte is top 5 Sparks albums
I don't know if you realised or if it was deliberate but you missed out The Seduction of Ingmar Bergman, but then you included Annette, which I can't include as i have never heard it.
My own choices would be:
1. A Steady Drip Drip Drip
2. Big Beat
3. Indiscreet
4. Kimono My House
5, Number one in Heaven
6, The Girl is crying in her latte
7. Pulling rabbits out of a hat
8. Balls
9. introducing Sparks
10. FFS
11. Whomp that sucker
12. Halfnelson/Sparks
13. Angst in my pants
14. A woofer in tweeter's clothing
15, Propaganda
16. The seduction of Ingmar Bergman
17. Hippopotamus
18, Gratuitous sax and senseless violins
19, Terminal Jive
20. In outer space
21. Exotic creatures of the deep
22. Lil' Beethoven
23. Plagiarism
24. Music that you can dance to
25. Interior Design
26, Hello young lovers
I talked about it in my pinned comment.
@@CSMuffin My apologies, didn't read it right. i thought I'd have it near the bottom too initially but after only one listen I really liked it.
Props to you for putting Big Beat at number 2. I thought I was the only one that rated that album. It's without doubt my numero 1. It rocks and it's fun. Unbeatable!
My top 5 are
1. Indiscreet
2. No.1 in heaven
3. Propaganda
4. Kimono my house
5. Hippopotamus.
I just checked the UK midweek charts and the girl is crying in her latte has entered at number 6. 😎
Cool! Do you know what time in the UK on Friday the weekly chart comes out?
@@CSMuffin I'm not sure, I'd guess mid day, I'll see if I can find out👍
@@johnwalsh128 Thanks!
@@johnwalsh128 Thanks!
I find it interesting that they covered Cut The Crap by The Clash.. I know that even Joe Strummer didn't like that album. No Mick Jones on that Clash album. I own that album and I like a few of the songs on it including the song Cut The Crap.. So it's me and The Sparks that like The Clash album Cut The Crap.. Maybe a few more people like it.. )^_-)/ Need to check out The Sparks.. Johnny Lydon likes them and that's saying something because he usually bashes other artists.. He does have a chosen bunch of artists that he likes and The Sparks is one of them.. Greetings from New Jersey my Canadian friend.. )^_-)/
They covered the song "We Are The Clash", which I believe is one of the better songs on the album.
I listened to all 26 albums they have and i only liked Propaganda :(. also you didnt include the sparks rock opera? "The Seduction of Ingmar Bergman"
I mention it in my pinned comment.
I really can't imagine only liking Propaganda and not Kimono if you stay in that period.
I actually don’t think TGICIHL is quite as good as Hippopotamus or A Steady Drip, Drip.
But It’s still a great album & continues the renaissance of Sparks.
These recent 3 albums have certainly brought Sparks a new audience and lots of positive attention.
But, of the 3, I’d put A Steady Drip as No 1.
Where would I put the new one in terms of the discography?
Certainly in the top 10.
And A Steady Drip would be at least in the top 5.
Kimono My House will always be my No. 1.
I think the new Sparks album is amazing, considering they been doing this so long
It looks like this group has pretty good funny album COVERS too.
Kimono my House is my favorite!
Larry, do you have an idea why Balls seems to rank rather low? I thought every track was awesome!
I love the album, I just like others more.
I find the electronic stuff mostly boring. The synthetic sound lacks personality in my opinion.
But… I kinda dig number 1 song in Heaven. That early Giorgio-synthetizer-stuff sounds very unique. Only 6 songs, but they are all great compositions.
But I digress. The first two albums are VERY quirky and fun. My fave is Woofer in Tweeter’s Clothing.
Kimono, Propaganda and Indiscreet are brilliant too, probably the first one comes next. Then No 1 Song. Then Introducing and then Big Beat. Later on, they do have great songs here and there, but personally I wouldn’t bother listening to any of their albums after 1979.
Sparks are a great band I saw you ranking Frank Zappa albums too Frank Zappa's the greatest !!!
Too many amazing albums. And way too many catchy songs.
I agree, not only with your No1 and No2, but the least-liked "In My Family". I don't dislike it, as such, it's just a bit... meh, compared to the rest.
Lil Beethoven at 15 is outrageous
You are entitled to your own opinion like I am.
I know dude, I just expressed it lol....your top 3 is in my top 6 though@@CSMuffin