Normally when I review an album, I try to give readers some idea of what the album sounds like by comparing songs to other artists. You just can't do that with Sparks, you can only maybe compare new songs to their songs or albums that have gone before. The first ever album that I bought was Propaganda as an 11 year old and I was already too young to have known that there had been three albums before it.
24 albums on, I can think of no other artist who releases new albums that are as good, if not better, than their main hey day. 2017's Hippopotamus, the closest thing to Propaganda, hit the UK Top 10. Fans can't understand how the Mael's aren't more popular, I have no idea why. Try listening to their albums objectively and then ponder how easily it is to get into them. Those who know, know and there are many of us. The greatest compliment that you can give them is that they keep appealing to a new generation of new fans.
The nigh on 50 year recording career has been joyous and apart from a blip with In Outer Space and Pulling Rabbits Out Of A Hat, it has been a massively inventive ride. The last five years have been every bit as good as those first five albums, if very different. The lyrical genius of Ron Mael is as present as ever, but it is matched by the realisation that repetition is nothing to be afraid of. Much has always been said about the wit and outlandish direction of Ron's songwriting, but Russell has come much more to the fore.
The younger brother is forever the front man, the voice of Ron's thoughts, but he is involved in far more. His work on the studio process and the multi layered vocal techniques have made Sparks even more outstanding during the past two decades. I have taken my time getting round to reviewing this album, it was out in May, simply because I like to concentrate fully on a Sparks album. There have been too many distractions before now.
A Steady Drip, Drip, Drip is everything that you would want a Sparks album to be. The subject matter is as weird and wacky as you would want it to be. Songs about a man obsessed with his Lawnmower, Stravinsky toning down a song for a major hit and resenting it and the wonderful Iphone about people who are constantly on their smartphone give you some idea. There are songs that can easily be related to different Sparks periods without ever sounding anything less than original.
All That could be the closest that Sparks have got to writing a mainstream single, it's a real sing along poptastic affair. Onamato Pia, a song that would easily fit on Indiscreet, is simply wonderful. During other songs you think of Whomp That Sucker, Balls and Lil Beethoven, on others you just marvel at the variation on offer. The closer, Please Don't Fuck Up My World is a splendid save the planet anthem, yet compare that to I'm Toast with its twists and turns.
This may yet become known as Sparks' best album. There's so much variety that newbies might think it is a greatest hits. The wondrous lyrics are still everywhere, counterbalanced by vocal repetition and there is never enough credit given to how great their choruses are. If you are new to Sparks, don't buy a greatest hits as it will confuse you more. Listen to this and one of the early Island albums and see how long it is before you want everything. A Steady Drip, Drip, Drip is simply exceptional, no one but Sparks could ever be Sparks.
The album is available to listen and buy everywhere.
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