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| From | "Rick McCall" <rickmccall@suddenlink.net> |
| Subject | Re: New stuff up at Hablo Ennui |
| Date | Sun, 8 Jun 2008 23:18:24 -0500 |
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Speaking of Sparks(!!), does anyone happen to know of any show reviews after
the first five that Mike went to and wrote about?
For my money, here are my Sparks rankings:
Top tier -
Kimono - this is where I came in on Sparks in 1975. It and Propaganda would
be on a very short desert island disc list for me. Absolutely
groundbreaking and absolutely essential.
Propaganda - see above.
Second tier -
Woofer - I know it is weird as all get out, but that is part of the charm.
Here Comes Bob and Moon Over Kentucky are favorites, but all songs appeal to
me on some level.
Introducing - as has already been mentioned, different strokes and all (for
example, the new Weezer did nothing for me as I previously noted), but I
love Introducing Sparks. Not a bad cut anywhere to be found, just not quite
as unique as Kimono/Propaganda. For some strange reason, Those Mysteries
really appeals to these ears. Also, Over the Summer and I'm Not.
Angst - same explanation as above. I Predict is brilliant and Sherlock
Holmes is intoxicating.
Beethoven - you can hardly say a return to form because they again break new
ground, but it is an incredible change that started on Plagiarism that works
well. The repetition would fall flat for most, but it somehow works
exceedingly well for the Mael brothers.
Young Lovers - see explanation above.
Plagiarism - plagiarizing their own songs, mostly to brilliant effect. I
love both version of Never Turn Your Back On Mother Earth.
Third tier -
Indiscreet - always considered the third part of the trinity (w/ Kimono and
Propaganda), but to the these ears, the songwriting and vocals seemed just a
hair stale and flat. Still, it is Sparks and I will buy it and all the
later reissues and permutations.
Big Beat - o.k., but nothing special. Everybody's Stupid is cool.
Fourth tier -
Whomp That Sucker - this begins a string of Sparks albums (excluding Angst)
that have an occasional high point, but nothing that bears repeated
listenings for me.
Outer Space - See above. Cool Places w/ Jane Wiedlin is, well, cool.
Pulling Rabbits - see above. Song That Sings Itself is mildly interesting.
Fifth tier -
Halfnelson - just a hair TOO weird for me. Fletcher Honorama is pretty good
(is that where Mike Bennett got the Mr. Honorama handle from?).
No. 1 - can't do the disco...
Terminal - see above.
Interior Design - nothing stands out.
Balls - see above.
Feel like I'm forgetting a disc or two...
New One - haven't heard it all yet, so will hold judgment. From what I
hear, it will probably be second tier. These guys are amazing!
Best,
Rick
-----Original Message-----
From: audities-owner@smoe.org [mailto:audities-owner@smoe.org] On Behalf Of
Mike Bennett
Sent: Sunday, June 08, 2008 10:39 PM
To: Auditieslist
Subject: New stuff up at Hablo Ennui
New stuff up at http://habloennui.blogspot.com :
A review of the Smoking Popes show on June 7:
http://habloennui.blogspot.com/2008/06/smoking-popesthe-mannequin-men-metro.
html
A tribute to Bo Diddley:
http://habloennui.blogspot.com/2008/06/bo-diddley-rip.html
A review of the new album by The General Store:
http://habloennui.blogspot.com/2008/06/general-store-mountain-rescue.html
Two previously unpublished 2007 reviews:
Maple Mars:
http://habloennui.blogspot.com/2008/06/maple-mars-beautiful-mess-unpublished
.html
The Pretty Things:
http://habloennui.blogspot.com/2008/06/pretty-things-balboa-island-unpublish
ed.html
Mike Bennett
Blog: http://blog.myspace.com/mrhonorama
Music stuff: http://habloennui.blogspot.com
Find out about Chicago shows:
http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/chicagopopshowreport/
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