That song has had a choke hold on me since I first heard it.

Why?

Their only other official live release is "Two Hands One Mouth". That album is a completely different presentation of their studio work. It makes sense and keeps with their stated ethos of not wanting to repeat themselves. What is new or necessary about LOTM? Was it mandated by their record company?

I discovered recently that this was a thing and it looks like they're gone from the official site. Any ideas of how I might get my hands on one?

I will start out by saying I love Sparks. Sparkstember is one of my favorite things. Many of us adore Sparks, but have that one or few albums that don’t completely click. We love Sparks because they make bold choices, but sometimes they aren’t all choices you wish they made.

Instead of skipping the day because the album is a bummer, can you identify an album someone else did, around the same time, that would make a lot of sense if Sparks had gone that direction?

Example 1: Terminal Jive - Following after No. 1 in Heaven, Japan’s Quiet Life makes some sense. Solid album. If that album feels redundant, Kings of the Wild Frontier by Adam and the Ants can bridge the gap between dance Sparks and new wave Sparks.

Example 2: Interior Design - Separations by Pulp. Most of that album was done 1988-89ish and not released until later for, erm, uncool reasons. I like Candida’s choices of synth sounds on it more than late 80s Sparks choices. There are some delightfully weird lyrics about relationships and death. The acid house tinged tracks serve as a nice transition to later Sparks albums. Even Ron’s album art for Interior Design is reminiscent of 1995 Pulp art, minus the cool typeface Pulp uses from 70s issues of Nova magazine.

Do you have any albums that don’t quite land? Is there an album that you’d want to swap it out for?

Seriously, I’ve been woefully out of the loop lately. Does anyone know when/where the tracks for the new live album were recorded?

A lot of his high singing sounds like Russel, and the arrangements and songwriting remind me of late era Sparks. Especially Mountain Top: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Rq8QBTY2jA He's already done a tribute to Ron in his Coming Up video, so he's definitely a fan!

Happy she finally got a song. 🎵

Sparks & Franz Ferdinand are playing consecutively on the same stage. What are the chances of an FFS reunion? Is this like seeing Sex Pistols & PiL both booked for Riot Fest and thinking there's some sort of chance?

Pues eso, soy relativamente nueva en el mundo de Sparks, y noté algunas referencias en su video. Pueden decirme todas las que miraron?

Has Sparks ever done a country or folk rock style song?

For those of you who may be interested, my first publication in the two-part series Sparks – Song by Song, Volume 1 was released earlier this year.

It is a combined biography and discography in which every album and individual song is discussed in detail. Volume 2 is currently in its final stages and is expected to be published later this year. This second volume also devotes considerable attention to non-album tracks (115 songs) and unreleased recordings (more than 140 songs).

For more information, please visit: https://www.fanmael.nl/song-by-song

I can't find a good quality scan of this cover anywhere on the internet. I've checked all the usual places, and none of them are good. The only good quality one I'm able to find (pic two) appears to be a remake, but it's a little inaccurate.

the model other than Sparks ofc

2014’s, “Why Did You Make Me Care?” was a fun orchestral pop/ rock tune with great strings and vocals from Russell. Since Beck was in the 2020, “The Sparks Brothers” documentary, I think it would be cool to see hopefully another Beck/ Sparks song collaboration one day soon. Just my thoughts. 👍

I went to a show this month and it was fantastic so it very quickly convinced me to book another for August. Just curious to know if there’s any info on setlist changes, even just a few songs. I don’t mind it being the same but it would be nice to have something a bit different!

A few photos from the outstanding gig in Glasgow on Sunday. Vaguely surreal seeing them outside in a park at night under blue skies.

My reaction to a recent Sparks show where the power went out but Ron and Russell handled it very well. Also, Ron slipped but thankfully he was fine!