I've really enjoyed all the discussion about Sparks on the list lately. 
Despite being generally aware of bands like this, I had actually *NEVER* heard of 
them--or heard any of their songs--until just a couple of months ago (they were 
a lot bigger in LA, right? Here in Boston they basically don't exist--you 
can't find their CDs in new OR used stores). I got a promo of "Lil Beethoven" and 
initially thought it was atrocious, but, as is to be expected, I guess, it 
grew on me REALLY fast and I wound up getting a copy of "Profile: The Ultimate 
Sparks Collection". I can't stop listening to this, I think it's all 
incredible! I hate whenever I get myself into one of these 
buy-up-everything-a-band-has-produced phases, but I feel that it could happen with these guys. Truly a 
find.

Also someone (I forget who) said they thought that Sparks '80s (post-Moroder) 
output sounded dated, and I have to disagree. The '90s backlash against 
synthesizers has really subsided, and they're being incorporated subtly into a lot 
of bands' work again. I think this is a good thing--especially since it's not 
often done to the tacky extremes seen in the '80s--and it means that a lot of 
those '80s Sparks songs sound really current now. Seriously! "Cool Places" or 
"All You Ever Think About is Sex" or "Beat the Clock" all sound like the kind 
of thing that would be produced by a charismatic new indie band now. If 
anything it's the '70s glam stuff--"This House Ain't Big Enough For the Both of Us" 
etc--that sounds tied to its time, not that this is a bad thing mind you!

Still I welcome all the Sparks discussion because I knew NOTHING of this band 
before recently, and now I want to know EVERYTHING. --Jason