Welcome to the Mad! world of Ronald and Russell Mael, aka… Sparks. Their 28th studio album offers no signs of the brothers slowing down in their later years.
Infact, their creative output seems to be just hitting its peak, releasing some of their best work in the last decade. After the Edgar Wright documentary film The Sparks Brothers released a few years back, they appear to fascinate and resonate with a wider audience. Considering both are in their late 70’s, you would not think so upon listening to this record, the music is fresh, exciting and mostly upbeat. Not a Horlicks inspired track to be found here.
Do Things My Own Way is the lead single and opener to album, and Sparks do indeed do things their own way. Many Sparks songs are clearly written upon repartition throughout a song, whether through tune or lyric, this is one of them. A building and driving song that is sure to be the opening song on the forthcoming tour.
You often hear songs about blue jeans, leather or hot pants, but this is the first about a JanSport Backpack that I have heard. Ron’s observation of this fashionable item of luggage, popularly worn by Japanese women is the title of the second track. Not a song of desire, but said subject being the last image seen by the viewer as their lover turns and walks out the door never to return. The backpack being the constant reminder. The chorus here is a constant reminder also, an ear worm of a song if ever there was.
Some notable tracks to pick out are Running Up A Tab At The Hotel For The Fab which is a repetitive heavy synthesiser and guitar track, sounding a fun place to stay, even if a mouthful. And giving moments recognisable from the old Charlie Brown cartoons is the track Don’t Dog It, once you hear it you cannot ignore it. Is the dog Snoopy? I-405 is a very theatrical song, with prominent orchestra within the track, harking back to the style of song from their 2021 Annette film soundtrack.
The standout track for me is the love song My Devotion. A short little ditty with Russell explaining that nothing shows more love and devotion than getting a tattoo of your obsession. Ron’s synth giving some whistling moments throughout.
The song on the record to really test your Hi-Fi system with is Drowned In A Sea Of Tears. Multiple layers build, acoustic guitar and piano at first, adding drums then orchestra. The building tension within the song creating a maelstrom. It’s hard to say where Sparks get there influence from, as they generally do not sound like anyone else, however with album closer Lord Have Mercy you can imagine Paul McCartney to be singing this very Beatles-esque track.
Most younger bands could learn something from the prolific output of the Mael brothers. Sparks are already planning and working on their next project, their second musical film, this time with their chosen director John Woo at the helm. Yes, John Woo! now that’s a mad collaboration if ever there was one.
This album does not disappoint for Sparks fans, and for those new or curious to explore the brothers work, this is a great starting point to delve into their huge catalogue. It may be a Mad! world that Sparks inhabit, but it would be all the poorer without them in it.
Author: Al Jones, Service Department
