SPARKS

terry welch

So, which is your favorite sparks 80's Album.. and when posting your reply, add your favorite song from the aforementioned albums! (doesnt nessecerally have to come from your fav album, of course!)
Choose from the above.
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Guest · Posted: Thu Oct 06, 2005 4:45 pm Post subject:

I put Angst as Whomp wasn`t there, it would have been I Married a Martian though :-)

Whomp & Angst both got hammered at the time.

cactusboy · Groupie Joined: 19 Jul 2002 Posts: 228

why are these called americana albums though? with a few being recorded in germany etc? while recent albums have all been recorded in LA? and are these the euro records :) ?
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Guest · Posted: Thu Oct 06, 2005 5:02 pm Post subject:

LOL...I can`t explain it, but I "get it" :-)

cactusboy · Groupie Joined: 19 Jul 2002 Posts: 228

the albums that did better in the states?
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Guest · Posted: Thu Oct 06, 2005 5:08 pm Post subject:

I was just thinking they had a particularly "American" sound to them.....
and the whole Americana thing....shopping malls, new wave & punk (usa style of course :-)...big hair, baggy suits.....etc

cactusboy · Groupie Joined: 19 Jul 2002 Posts: 228

funny the american sounding records are recorded in europe.. and vice versa
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Simon Majury · Posted: Thu Oct 06, 2005 5:09 pm Post subject:

These are called the Americana albums because they had a higher profile & better promotion in the States than in Europe. During this period Sparks did a lot of touring but they only came to Europe for a very brief tour in 1981. During the 80's it seemed the American fans had Sparks to themselves? I was never jealous, honest!! lol Thankfully since 1994 & the release of the wonderful Gratuitous Sax & Senseless Violins album the balance has been restored.

cactusboy · Groupie Joined: 19 Jul 2002 Posts: 228

tha balance of the force ...
well, Atlantic Records yes.. some great US tours.. lots of LA dates, thats for sure
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terry welch · Posted: Thu Oct 06, 2005 5:22 pm Post subject:

...Simon, Eurofad... In the words of the great Roy Orbison.. YOU GOT IT.. it's exactly that... the time, the feel, the audience etc. NOT the recording studio facilities! Sorry Cactusboy!... and to clarify AIMP gets in the poll 'coz it was 80's and although "on the cusp" between the Euro and Americana stage, marked the end for the time being for the guys in Europe after No 1 in Heaven and a real attempt to woo the home USA crowd. Introducing Sparks doesn't get in because although VERY Americana in sound was a 70's album. See...?

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deadcalm · Posted: Fri Oct 07, 2005 4:01 am Post subject:

"Music you can Dance to" CD for me as I Like the
Techno Tks on it... I like "The Scene" on it most
as theres so much going on if u listen Close......
Even a American Boot Camp feel to it in sections,,
OK it wasnt recorded in America but its on the List
so thats where my Vote goes

CALI · Posted: Fri Oct 07, 2005 4:45 am Post subject:

Pulling Rabbits it is for me. Kiss Me Quick is perhaps my favourite track.
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cactusboy · Groupie Joined: 19 Jul 2002 Posts: 228

the whole 'americana' label just rings more of sound or feel than promotion... thats all.. no big debate re this.. just being a californian.. these werent 'americana' records... just albums that came out in the 80's
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fastfreddie · Groupie Joined: 21 Apr 2005 Posts: 174 Location: Finland

Music That You Can Dance To

Uneven album, but the title track and Change are excellent.
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Alex Robertson · Posted: Fri Oct 07, 2005 2:23 pm Post subject:

I've voted for MTYCDT....plus my fave track is..Lets Get Funky...something I've had to burden a lot of stick for,over the years...I still can't understand why it is so reviled(by a lot of people...not everyone thankfully)

terry welch · Posted: Fri Oct 07, 2005 3:11 pm Post subject:

Thank you to all who have responded so far, it's hotting up nicely! I'll mention a few...

Alex Robertson · Posted: Fri Oct 07, 2005 5:43 pm Post subject:

rwolf'68 · Posted: Sun Oct 09, 2005 4:55 pm Post subject:

I chose Angst because I grew up going to Disneyland all the time and Mickey Mouse has my name in it and the whole thing is very nostalgic for me. I know it's very high school-ish, but the music rings of that care free, experimantal time in our lives when we are discovering who we are and doing naughty, fun things! Besides, all my younger friends who have small kids now seem to like it so it gets lots of play in my office. Every one can relate to these songs (Eaten by the Monster of Love, Nicotina, I Predict, Sextown USA) and the tunes are great! Not very deep, but it seems to appeal to the child in all of us.

tonymus · Posted: Wed Nov 02, 2005 10:44 pm Post subject:

Interesting poll...

I don't feel any albums from Pulling Rabbits onward had an American feel to them; those albums had a European techno feel to them and, as a result, did poorly in the States.

It's amazing - Angst and Outer Space put them on the verge of stardom in the States. Pulling Rabbits was the wrong album at the wrong time, at least for US audiences. I don't know any Americans who liked it at the time, myself included...

I think Sparks only started gaining traction in the US again with 'Lil Beethoven (which I can't believe sold too well here). Hopefully, HYL will continue their upward US ascent.

Ophelia · Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2005 12:15 am Post subject:

I can see the whole "americana" theme with some of these albums. Angst and In Outer Space were big in California (can't speak for all of the US) and Sparks seemd to tour a lot in those times--

I agree with tonymus on the idea that the albums from Pulling Rabbits onward were not "American" in their vibe. I still think Sparks fans in the US have maintained their interest but the American "culture" has changed a lot since that time.