Thursday, July 16, 2020

Geniuses At Work



I thought about writing some lengthy praise for "A Steady Drip, Drip, Drip" but figured I'd be setting myself up for disappointment. So rather than do all that work, I am taking the easy way out.

The new Sparks records might end up being my favorite record of 2020.

God bless the Maels.

There it is.





10 comments:

Anonymous said...

friends on my FB feed are debating whether it's as good or better than Hippopotamus. also a good year for old punk/postpunk - Wire, X, Monochrome Set.

hpunch said...

So far it is indeed my favorite album of the year.
Was there ever another band making some of their best material five decades into their career?

Michael Giltz said...

Ain't the number of bands hitting their fifth decade vanishingly small? Looking forward to it -- still taking in the Rufus Wainwright (good, not great and won't get better -- I think) and Joe Ely and MY Morning Jacket and the Streets and Brad Mehldau. I am NOT ready for more releases in the next 21 minutes when the friday music drops!

FiveGunsWest said...

Fookin great stuff. Thanks, I had no idea!

Bill said...

I've only heard good things about this album. Looking forward to taking a listen.

dogbreath said...

Nice, nice, nice (or should it be Neat, neat, neat?) Big fan of Sparks since the "Kimono" days & I like what I've heard of the new stuff. The trademark humour, clever wordplay & melodies work for me. Cheers!

buzzbabyjesus said...

I knew a song by Halfnelson from a Warner Bros Loss Leader compilation, and because they were critical darlings, I bought "Kimono".
I liked almost everything about it, except the vocals, but still bought the cd, used at NYCD.
Loved the cover of "Propaganda" which those same critics panned, so I didn't bother.
"Angst In my Pants" was catchy and funny, except for the trademark helium vocals.
It is amazing how much they sound like themselves still, and I can tell this is a good one,
but after 5 decades, I guess I can rule out becoming a fan.
Just not my cup of tea.

buzzbabyjesus said...

Of course having said that. I just watched this video for "The Existential Threat", which I LOVE.
The visuals are by Cyriak, an artist I've been watching for years.

buzzbabyjesus said...

My affection for it extends to the song. They sound absolutely fresh.

buzzbabyjesus said...

Sorry. link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLxPIOxgkM0