Kimono My House - Sparks Album Review

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Album Review

1974 was big year for the Mael brothers aka Sparks. Containing two hit singles – This Town Ain’t Big Enough…and Amateur Hour, their 1974 groundbreaking third album Kimono My House gets a dust-down, with bonus material, memorabilia, lyrics and sleevenotes.

Androgynous older Russell and poker-faced younger Ron Mael made a phenomenal impact with their single and album. John Lennon quipped at the time, “Look there’s Hitler on the telly.” As the 70s rolled on, they lost their appeal, though they’ve resurfaced in recent years. Formed in LA in 1971, the eccentric brothers, whose birthdates are open to question, began their careers using (Ron’s) witty lyrics and eclectic pop styles, fascinating both fans and critics alike. They continue to do so, found on 2006s Hello Young Lovers and single Dick Around, recently premiered on Friday Night With Jonathan Ross. Early on, Sparks were having more success in the UK than back home in the States, so they relocated here. With producer Muff Winwood (brother of Steve), Kimono featured Russell’s quavering falsetto with Ron’s odd lyrics pooled into idiosyncratic avante garde pop, setting new standards in the process. In the sleevenotes by Uncut deputy editor Paul Lester, Russell is quoted saying, “We just wanted to make music that was challenging, fresh and new.” They certainly did that. All tracks are gems: total grand gestures to their incredibly forward looking philosophy.

Best of a great bunch – This Town…Equator and Talent Is An Asset.

Still a timeless classic.

Also re-mastered under ‘21st Century Classics’ are Sparks’ Propaganda, Indiscreet and Big Beat.

Elly Roberts