Sparks – Sparks: 1974 3CD

Sparks – Sparks: 1974

Sparks 1974 compiles Sparks’ two 1974 albums Kimono My House & Propaganda alongside a bonus CD containing demo, unreleased and live takes and B Sides. 1974 saw the group relocate from L.A. to London where they recorded some of their most memorable output.

Kimono My House, containing the group’s biggest single This Town Ain’t Big Enough For Both Of Us (#2 UK Singles Charts), was the group’s first real commercial breakthrough. Produced by Muff Winwood, the album slotted into the contemporary landscape of glam rock, stylistically similar to the experimental and electronic-led output of David Bowie and Roxy Music.

Propaganda was released subsequently in November ‘74, peaking at number 9 in the UK album charts. The Mael brothers solidified their style of demented, sinister pop songs with tracks like Never Turn Your Back on Mother Earth, Something For The Girl With Everything and Achoo.

Packaged in a deluxe 7” 3CD fold out card set with an illustrated booklet containing a liner note from Guardian critic Jude Rogers.

“You wonder if they ever thought that fifty years, twenty-six albums and a critically acclaimed film later that Sparks – rather deliciously – would endure. The works of their breakthrough year can also still be our protein, still exercise our heartbeats, still sound like no one else, so peculiarly wonderful.” – Jude Rogers, The Guardian

Tracklist:
CD1:
This Town Ain’t Big Enough For Both Of Us
Amateur Hour
Falling In Love With Myself Again
Here In Heaven
Thank God It’s Not Christmas
Hasta Manana Monsieur
Talent Is an Asset
Complaints
In My family
Equator

CD2:
Propaganda
At Home, At Work, At Play
Reinforcements
B.C.
Thanks But No Thanks
Don’t Leave Me Alone With Her
Never Turn Your Back On Mother Earth
Something For The Girl With Everything
Achoo
Who Don’t Like Kids
Bon Voyage

CD3:
Barbecutie
Lost and Found
Amateur Hour (Live at Fairfield Halls 09/11/75)
Alabamy Right
Marry Me
When I Take The Field On Friday (Demo)
Barbecutie (Demo)
Windy Day (Demo)
Marry Me (Demo)
A More Constructive Use Of Leisure Time (Demo)
Alabamy Right (Demo)
My Brains And Her Looks (Demo)

Label: Demon Records
Released: 1974/2024