Elly Roberts reviews
Sparks: Hello Young Lovers
Distributed by
Gut Records
- Cat.no: GUTCD53
- Released: February 2006
- Rating: 8/10
Sparks' 20th studio album, Hello Young Lovers, is set to raise some eyebrows.
Eccentric American brothers Russell (curly haired singer) and Ron Mael
(the one with the Hitler moustache, on keyboards) burst onto the UK pop scene
in 1974 with the weird but wonderful and unforgettable classic This Town
Ain't Big Enough For Both Of Us. Their witty and ever-changing musical
styles have pushed the boundaries of popular music to their limits - no
change here.
Both now into their 50s, the duo is clearly on a mission to
impress a new audience. Holed up for 18 months, they have delivered an
awesome piece of music - how it will be received by the general public is
another matter. There isn't an out and out pop song in sight. Nevertheless,
Hello Young Lovers breaks new ground, in the
Rufus Wainwright
mould, combining classical and opera influences. As a commercial entity, they
stopped charting in 1997 singles-wise and albums even further back in 1979.
What we have now is a bold and brave attempt to be taken seriously, for
once, though you'd never think it with an opening track called Dick Around.
My simple maths tells me that despite the critical acclaim of previous
offering Lil' Beethoven which failed to transfer into commercial success,
they've released twenty albums, four charted: 16 didn't.
If the bros are happy with that track record then so be it: Hello Young
Lovers will do little to improve things. That said, this is a fascinating
album as they break new ground with trademark quirkiness - check Here Kitty.
Amongst the lyrical daftness, there's some seriously great music. No doubt
critics will laud this one too, but that's it, unfortunately, because it
makes interesting listening. It will definitely not re-engage them with the
UK's public consciousness.
With a 'Queenesque' grand opening of Dick Around
we're immediately thrown into the opus which takes on an overall audio ride
of 51 minutes plus. Single Perfume, is possibly the worst choice to bring
them back, despite being a half decent track. Elsewhere, there's a plethora
of playful lyrics - Baby Can I Invade Your Country, There's No Such Thing As
Aliens - lashings of strings (presumably via synths) simple guitar riffs and
plenty of atmosphere. Where it all falls down is the lack of 'soul' as parts
come across as pretentious. Even Rock Rock Rock quotes the words "a lack of
feeling. lack of conviction." Maybe it's their remit to confuse us. There's
nothing rock about it whatsoever, possessing more classical overtones.
There is however, a positive and bouncy ambiance which must be applauded.
Production, harmonies, musicianship etc are superb, but they'll remain a
cult band for all their hard work.
It's very clever stuff, maybe too clever for the charts.
The lead single 'Perfume' is out on Monday 13 February.
The full list of tracks on the CD are :
Review & concert pics copyright © Elly Roberts, 2004-2010.
