Sparks – A Steady Drip, Drip, Drip – BMG Rights Management UK
The legendary Sparks returns with A Steady Drip, Drip, Drip, album. The Mael brothers, Russell and Ron are still making sounds. To those who think your favorite synth act are clever I dare you to find any band that has been doing it as long as these guys. Furthermore to the level of quality that Sparks has achieved. Unmatched in their own class of synth pop and song crafting they have outlasted the 80’s, 90’s, 00’s, 10’s and the reunions that we saw in those times.
Let’s address Sparks A Steady Drip, Drip, Drip LP more in depth
“All That” opens with some horn cacophony and acoustic guitar that sounds like the brothers huddled around a campfire. Once the synth orchestration starts you’re in for classic Sparks ride. The melodies of the chorus are captivating and ask to be a sing along. The electric guitar is minimal and used only to accent a transition but the tone is sublime. It sighs sorrowfully but doesn’t derail the mood of a great opening.
“Im Toast” features rocking verse guitar riffs. The chorus drip, drips with melody like only Russell Mael can sing. “I’m Toast” is designed as well as “All That“. The parts are clear and all flow nicely into Spark’s inspired pop glory
If you missed the premier of this video…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPSFpaCQEvA
“Lawnmower” la- la- la lawnmower. Whimsy ode to most peoples favorite moderately price yard maintenance tool. Additionally poking fun at the suburban lawn and homeowners most wet dream. The perfect lawn and the right tool for the job. The song could pass for an ad for a deluxe John Deere mower but the joke would be on the corporation because it may sound highly melodic and catchy but this highly sarcastic.
“Lawnmower” is a stroke of sardonic, cutting genius. The smart kids getting musical and lyrical come uppance
“Sainthood Is Not In Your Future“. Very busy and clever venture. The song is still hummable and at times the instruments drop out which gives a good contrast between complicated and simple.
In it’s full swing, the musical layers and synth work are something that would make a bedroom “musician” or producer’s head spin. It’s like a multi layer cake that only the Maels could bake.
Next is “Pacific Standard Time” adds even more melody in their mix. It is closer to a ballad in feel. Russell stretches out the vocal chords crooning in falsetto. The ballad like sentiment transitions to a more Danny Elfman staccato opening of…
“Stravinsky’s Only Hit“. This is the second most theatrical track. I’m not a fan of when Sparks does this style of song but it is unmistakably their own thing. They get a pass because there are an incredible band. Although I’m not a fan of this track fully, I do admire the meter of the words the cadance of the synth melody. The vocals follow the synth rhythm making for an absurd anthem. In my opinion Spark’s straightforward dance stuff is better than the quirky falsetto stuff that “Stravinsky’s Only Hit ” is made from. I can still find merit in this song, despite that is very much like a show tune song. I loathe whatever the style that is.
“Left Out In The Cold” is a standout song. There’s a bit of a Latin flavor. “Long down jackets, overcoats , Ski caps, gloves, I’m making notesLong down jackets, overcoats .Do you still feel cold?” This song would sound great remixed with some classical finger pick guitar in the foreground of the mix .
The synth bridge featuring pitch warps is hella cool.
“Self Effacing” is one of the catchier melodies on A Steady Drip, Drip, Drip. It’s accessible and perfect for a personal 80’s dance party. It doesn’t need the validation of a room full of wankers.
Moving onward with “One For The Ages“. Track features some badass synth work starting around 2:28. Any bloated self respecting keyboard nerd would love to discredit this. That is if your a nihilist cheap beer drinking synth geek who downplays most things. The arpeggiator and synths go from stun to flutter. The bassy clean piano tones are a good touch to balance out the heavily processed keyboard signals.
“I phone” deals with something that has been on my mind a long time regarding phones. It’s like the brothers Mael have captured what so many have been thinking about people who are glued to their phones.
“Put your fucking I phone down and listen to me” It doesn’t get better than that.
“The Existential Threat” is a nervous , frenetic romp of syllables. This number is fun , whimsical, and lyrics sung fast. A true mouthful but you can still understand Russell’s diction. That is a lost art of itself. The interlude reminds me of drunk cocktail party in the due to the horn like sounds and jazz like carefree sentiment.
Almost at the end “Nothing Travels Faster Than The Speed Of Light” takes the speed and energy of the “Existential Threat” down. A great song to let audience catch breath to especially because Sparks has very dance able moments. Ron’s keyboards are a pulsating saw wave for most of this track. The arpeggiator sound gives it the old Sparks / Devo sound.
Lastly but not leastly “Please Don’t Fuck Up My World” is like “I-Phone” Both are social commentary. However the latter sentiment everyone should bring into their awareness. A statement with lyrics that reflect what one would think is common sense. A plea for the entire world that keeps getting more relevant. Absolute genius in these lyrics. It doesn’t take sides. It doesn’t want to argue. Sparks is simply asking for change, and yes the melody is sweet, sugary, and Sparks delivers again.
“Please don’t fuck up our world / So much now needs addressing
Please don’t fuck up our world/ So much now is depressing”
Sparks A Steady Drip Drip Drip is a killer album. I always loved their hit in the 80’s. and steadily I’ve gotten more and more into their music. They have so much material. It is exciting for me to revisit the old versus the new. This LP really shows their tenacity, talent and makes the back catalogue all the more rich. I was thinking Hum’s Inlet could be the best album of 2020. I’m torn between Sparks and Hum. Both are drastically different. Given Sparks quality and work ethic it’s probably not even a fair contest. This is something i’ll ponder in the next few weeks as the world de-volves. Rest assured though Sparks is still steady, still drip, drip, dripping, and relevant after 50 years.