Kimono My House vs Propaganda
- bobzilla77
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Kimono My House vs Propaganda
No fence sitting! If that was allowed it would be called Kimono My Fence.
I have a hard time picking. The two albums are definitely of a piece, and I'm not aware they ever made another that fits with them. Such a fascinating mix of carnival melodies, absurdity, menace, frantic energy and prancing theatricality.
And what great topics for songs! Like Steely Dan, there is a lot of darkness in this world where little Albert the Genius is kept away from those low-class people that might judge him as less than perfect, where suicide pacts are broken, where the animals not invited onto Noah's Ark get to express their laments, where girls blow off potential dates by telling them "meet me at the Equator", all set to relentlessly upbeat musical scores.
Which do you prefer? Is there another Sparks albums I MUST hear if I dig these two? And what's your favorite story from the lyrics?
I have a hard time picking. The two albums are definitely of a piece, and I'm not aware they ever made another that fits with them. Such a fascinating mix of carnival melodies, absurdity, menace, frantic energy and prancing theatricality.
And what great topics for songs! Like Steely Dan, there is a lot of darkness in this world where little Albert the Genius is kept away from those low-class people that might judge him as less than perfect, where suicide pacts are broken, where the animals not invited onto Noah's Ark get to express their laments, where girls blow off potential dates by telling them "meet me at the Equator", all set to relentlessly upbeat musical scores.
Which do you prefer? Is there another Sparks albums I MUST hear if I dig these two? And what's your favorite story from the lyrics?
Jimbo wrote:I guess I am over Graham Nash's politics. Hopelessly naive by the standards I've molded for myself these days.
- trans-chigley express
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Re: Kimono My House vs Propaganda
Kimono. I think Indiscreet is better than Propaganda too. It's not that I don't like Propaganda but it's just that I rate the albums either side a notch higher.
- trans-chigley express
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Re: Kimono My House vs Propaganda
bobzilla77 wrote: And what's your favorite story from the lyrics?
Actually I'm going to pick an Indiscreet lyric from the track Tits where the married man laments the fact that since his son Joey was born his wife's tits are no longer his playthings but are there only to feed his new baby. Been there
- pcqgod
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Re: Kimono My House vs Propaganda
Literally within five minutes discussing Sparks on Facebook in a Power Pop discussion group.
I've heard five Sparks albums by now, and judging from those 'Kimono' seems on its own, exalted level. 'Propaganda' and 'Indiscreet' are also good, but a rung down. The first two, a further rung down.
I've heard five Sparks albums by now, and judging from those 'Kimono' seems on its own, exalted level. 'Propaganda' and 'Indiscreet' are also good, but a rung down. The first two, a further rung down.
Where would rock 'n' roll be without feedback?
- trans-chigley express
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Re: Kimono My House vs Propaganda
Hello Young Lovers is probably my fourth favourite by them. Brilliant album.
- naughty boy
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Re: Kimono My House vs Propaganda
Kimono, but it's close. I love both albums.
Have you seen this?
Kills me.
Have you seen this?
Kills me.
Matt 'interesting' Wilson wrote:So I went from looking at the "I'm a Man" riff, to showing how the rave up was popular for awhile.
- Quaco
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Re: Kimono My House vs Propaganda
Turns out they were pretty good live!
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- king feeb
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Re: Kimono My House vs Propaganda
I'm the first to vote Propaganda? Heresy!
As many have said, I love both albums, but I think one is marginally better than the other... but in my case, that's Propaganda. I feel like the high points of Kimono may be better, but Propaganda is more solid all the way through. Kimono still has some of the "songwriting problems" of the earlier Sparks LPs. For example: "Thank God It's Not Christmas" has a wonderful intro/ outro and the verse is one of the best melodies they ever came up with. But the chorus just kind of sits there like an undistinguished lump, almost like it's marking time until the next good part shows up. By the time of Propaganda, they were a little more solid.
I figure the entire run of four early-mid 70s albums is worthwhile, including Indiscreet and Big Beat. They started going downhill a bit after Introducing Sparks but some of their later albums like Angst In My Pants and Hello Young Lovers are ace.
And never let those guys steal your microphone. Dang!
As many have said, I love both albums, but I think one is marginally better than the other... but in my case, that's Propaganda. I feel like the high points of Kimono may be better, but Propaganda is more solid all the way through. Kimono still has some of the "songwriting problems" of the earlier Sparks LPs. For example: "Thank God It's Not Christmas" has a wonderful intro/ outro and the verse is one of the best melodies they ever came up with. But the chorus just kind of sits there like an undistinguished lump, almost like it's marking time until the next good part shows up. By the time of Propaganda, they were a little more solid.
I figure the entire run of four early-mid 70s albums is worthwhile, including Indiscreet and Big Beat. They started going downhill a bit after Introducing Sparks but some of their later albums like Angst In My Pants and Hello Young Lovers are ace.
And never let those guys steal your microphone. Dang!
You'd pay big bucks to know what you really think.
- ConnyOlivetti
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Re: Kimono My House vs Propaganda
trans-chigley express wrote:Hello Young Lovers is probably my fourth favourite by them. Brilliant album.
Yes!
Charlie O. wrote:I think Coan and Googa are right.
Un enfant dans electronica!
Je suis!
- trans-chigley express
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Re: Kimono My House vs Propaganda
king feeb wrote:
I figure the entire run of four early-mid 70s albums is worthwhile, including Indiscreet and Big Beat.
Not keen on Big Beat myself but I do love the follow up album No1 Song In Heaven with Gorgio Moroder.
- naughty boy
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Re: Kimono My House vs Propaganda
While you daft cunts were getting your knickers wet over 83-disc King Crimson outtake collections and Yes tours, Sparks' new album Hippopotamus was released and is getting their best reviews in ages.
It's on course for the top 10 in the UK album charts - their highest position for over 40 years.
I love it to pieces - it's an astonishing collection.
It's on course for the top 10 in the UK album charts - their highest position for over 40 years.
I love it to pieces - it's an astonishing collection.
Matt 'interesting' Wilson wrote:So I went from looking at the "I'm a Man" riff, to showing how the rave up was popular for awhile.
- ConnyOlivetti
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Re: Kimono My House vs Propaganda
**SEX COCK** wrote:While you daft cunts were getting your knickers wet over 83-disc King Crimson outtake collections and Yes tours, Sparks' new album Hippopotamus was released and is getting their best reviews in ages.
It's on course for the top 10 in the UK album charts - their highest position for over 40 years.
I love it to pieces - it's an astonishing collection.
I agree!
(guess there is a first time for anything)
Charlie O. wrote:I think Coan and Googa are right.
Un enfant dans electronica!
Je suis!
- clive gash
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Re: Kimono My House vs Propaganda
The Dan for even smugger bastards. Not sure I can forgive that Franz Ferdinand collab.
It takes a big man to cry, but it takes a bigger man to laugh at that man.
Diamond Dog wrote:...it quite clearly hit the target with you and your nonce...
...a multitude of innuendo and hearsay...
...I'm producing facts here...
- naughty boy
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Re: Kimono My House vs Propaganda
ConnyOlivetti wrote:**SEX COCK** wrote:
I agree!
(guess there is a first time for anything)
Matt 'interesting' Wilson wrote:So I went from looking at the "I'm a Man" riff, to showing how the rave up was popular for awhile.
- naughty boy
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Re: Kimono My House vs Propaganda
neville from norwich wrote:The Dan for even smugger bastards. Not sure I can forgive that Franz Ferdinand collab.
Matt 'interesting' Wilson wrote:So I went from looking at the "I'm a Man" riff, to showing how the rave up was popular for awhile.
- clive gash
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Re: Kimono My House vs Propaganda
Did you hear it?
Fucking hells bells.
Fucking hells bells.
It takes a big man to cry, but it takes a bigger man to laugh at that man.
Diamond Dog wrote:...it quite clearly hit the target with you and your nonce...
...a multitude of innuendo and hearsay...
...I'm producing facts here...
- naughty boy
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Re: Kimono My House vs Propaganda
I did, yeah. Desperate.
Matt 'interesting' Wilson wrote:So I went from looking at the "I'm a Man" riff, to showing how the rave up was popular for awhile.
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Re: Kimono My House vs Propaganda
This is all new to me.
I'd rather firmly decided that Sparks were "too precious" or something decades ago (my love for the Quick obviously marking some distinction that I can intuit, but would have great difficulty explaining), and that was truly that. Love them or not, surely "too precious" is as valid an assessment as any (blinkered or not).
But, they lingered - friends kept getting into them, the glam book certainly piqued my interest, and when I saw an original US copy of Kimono for next to nothing a month ago, I grabbed it.
It's great. I love it. The smart money seems to be on going straight to Propaganda next.
I'd rather firmly decided that Sparks were "too precious" or something decades ago (my love for the Quick obviously marking some distinction that I can intuit, but would have great difficulty explaining), and that was truly that. Love them or not, surely "too precious" is as valid an assessment as any (blinkered or not).
But, they lingered - friends kept getting into them, the glam book certainly piqued my interest, and when I saw an original US copy of Kimono for next to nothing a month ago, I grabbed it.
It's great. I love it. The smart money seems to be on going straight to Propaganda next.
- The Slider
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Re: Kimono My House vs Propaganda
They've never made a poor album.
Off to see them next week at the Empire
Back of the net
Off to see them next week at the Empire
Back of the net
Complete Ramones Mp3 set on its way
- naughty boy
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Re: Kimono My House vs Propaganda
The Slider wrote:They've never made a poor album.
Off to see them next week at the Empire
Back of the net
Good lad!
Off to see them tomorrow in Newcie. They're sold out everywhere and I only managed this 'cos someone cancelled. V excited!
Matt 'interesting' Wilson wrote:So I went from looking at the "I'm a Man" riff, to showing how the rave up was popular for awhile.