Tag Archives: Russell Mael

Film review: SPARKS: Annette / Cannes Festival Opening – The Vox, Montignac-Lascaux, SW France 6 July 2021

Posted on July 9, 2021 by petefeenstra
Sparks - Annette

It’s early evening in heart of Montignac-Lascaux, a small sleepy South West French town. And I’ve just discovered that the once thriving (pre-covid) art house cinema – which used to double as an outdoor gig – is showing a world … Continue reading →

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Album review: SPARKS – A Steady Drip, Drip, Drip

Posted on May 15, 2020 by jason
SPARKS – A Steady Drip, Drip

BMG [Release date digital 15.05.20; physical 03.07.20] There are not many artists that have been going for over fifty years and still regularly tour and release good new music, and Sparks are one of those few. Their last album, 2017’s … Continue reading →

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Album review: SPARKS – Past Tense: The Best Of Sparks

Posted on November 12, 2019 by jason
SPARKS – Past Tense The Best Of Sparks

BMG [Release date 08.11.19] For many people of a certain age Sparks are famed for the high vocals and scary looking bloke on the keyboards, yet there is so much more to their music aside from the big hits ‘This … Continue reading →

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Album review: SPARKS – Gratuitous Sax & Senseless Violins

Posted on November 10, 2019 by jason
SPARKS - Gratuitous Sax & Senseless Violins

BMG [Release date 01.11.19] ‘Gratuitous Sax & Senseless Violins’ originally came out in 1994 and came after a six year gap by Sparks since 1988’s ‘Interior Design’ album. The band were said to be on hiatus, something Ron Mael takes … Continue reading →

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Album review: SPARKS – Hippopotamus

Posted on October 5, 2017 by petefeenstra
Sparks - Hippopotamus

BMG [Release date 08.09.17] ‘Hippopotamus’ is a triumph of pop’s true potential over the usual clichéd familiar fare. It’s a cross genre album bursting with creativity, humour and stylistic diversity. The lyrical word plays, eclectic themes and nuanced melodies are … Continue reading →

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Gig review: SPARKS – Shepherd’s Bush Empire, London, 28 September 2017

Posted on September 30, 2017 by petefeenstra
SPARKS – Shepherd

Sparks breezed into an extra second night at a packed London’s Shepherd’s Bush Empire to deliver a thematically driven show – right down to the band’s sailor tops – to promote the new ‘Hippopotamus’ chart album. The Mael brothers have … Continue reading →

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Gig review: SPARKS Album Launch Party – ICA, The Mall London, 7 Sept 2017

Posted on September 8, 2017 by petefeenstra
SPARKS Album Launch Party – ICA, The Mall London, 7 Sept 2017

In many respects the ICA provides the perfect backdrop for the album launch party of ‘Hippopotamus’, Sparks’ 23rd album. The LA based brothers Ron and Russell Mael have long reached beyond the simple rock and roll format to realize their … Continue reading →

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Gig review: SPARKS – Union Chapel, London, 2 December 2013

Posted on December 3, 2013 by petefeenstra

“When the whole world is running headlong towards the precipice, one who walks in the opposite direction is looked on as being crazy.” T.S. Elliot could have been talking about Sparks. Their restless stop-start career has occasionally brushed the mainstream … Continue reading →

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Album review: SPARKS – New Music For Amnesiacs – The Essential Collection

Posted on November 27, 2013 by jason

Lil Beethoven Records (2CD) This two CD, 40 song best of is a condensed version of the recent box set, which features 83 songs. Sparks may be masters of pop yet they have had an influence in the rock world … Continue reading →

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