Description

Sparks – Profile: The Ultimate Sparks Collection – Cassette

Profile: The Ultimate Sparks Collection is a compilation album by Sparks, an American pop and rock band known for their quirky approach to music and distinctive style. Released in 1991, this collection spans their career up to that point, featuring a range of their hits and standout tracks. The album serves as a great introduction to Sparks’ unique musical journey, showcasing the breadth of their creativity and evolution over the years.

The compilation covers a wide array of Sparks’ work from their early days in the late 1960s and early 1970s through their more synth-pop oriented material in the 1980s. Known for their clever lyrics, theatrical presentation, and the distinctive falsetto voice of lead singer Russell Mael, Sparks has always stood out in the music scene for their originality and innovation.

Key Tracks

‘This Town Ain’t Big Enough for Both of Us’ – Perhaps their most famous song, it exemplifies Sparks’ ability to combine catchy pop melodies with complex lyrical narratives.

‘Amateur Hour’ – Another hit from their glam rock phase, this track showcases their knack for catchy, energetic arrangements.

‘The Number One Song in Heaven’ – A representative of their venture into electronic and synth-driven music, produced by disco pioneer Giorgio Moroder.

‘Cool Places’ – A collaboration with Jane Wiedlin of The Go-Go’s, this track highlights their ability to adapt to the evolving music scene of the 1980s.

Sparks’ music features a blend of various styles, from glam rock and art pop to new wave and synth-pop. Their ability to evolve with changing musical trends while maintaining a distinct sound is well reflected in their compilations. The production values across their discography highlight both the Mael brothers’ (Russell and Ron) musical versatility and their inclination towards

Profile: The Ultimate Sparks Collection is well-regarded both as a starting point for new listeners and as a solid compilation for long-time fans. It captures the essence of Sparks’ extensive and eclectic catalog, providing a window into the creativity and enduring appeal of the band.

As a band, Sparks has influenced numerous artists across different genres, noted for their witty lyrics, catchy tunes, and innovative use of electronic instruments. Their work, as showcased in compilations like ‘Profile,’ continues to be celebrated for its originality and lasting impact on the pop and rock music landscape.

Since starting in their native Los Angeles in 1969, brothers Ron and Russell Mael and their ever-changing band Sparks have seen so many twists, turns, peaks, and valleys that it’s impossible for one CD to accurately summarize their career. The two-disc PROFILE: THE ULTIMATE SPARKS ANTHOLOGY is the only Sparks compilation that even comes close to living up to that subtitle.

PROFILE begins with tracks from the band’s Todd Rundgren-produced debut and continues chronologically through Sparks’ art rock, power pop, rock-disco fusion, and new wave synth-pop phases. Though tracks and B-sides are included to provide a balanced overview, PROFILE is no substitute for owning Sparks’ excellent original albums. But it is the best possible introduction to this bizarre and wonderful band.

Song List

1. Wonder Girl
2. Mr. Nice Guys, (No More)
3. Girl From Germany
4. I Like Girls
5. This Town Ain’t Big Enough For Both Of Us
6. Barbecutie
7. Amateur Hour
8. Talent Is An Asset
9. Lost And Found
10. Hasta Manana, Monsieur
11. Propaganda
12. At Home, At Work, At Play
13. Something For The Girl With Everything
14. Never Turn Your Back On Mother Earth
15. Achoo
16. Get In The Swing
17. Looks, Looks, Looks
18. Happy Hunting Ground
19. Big Boy
20. Nothing To Do
21. Over The Summer
22. Big Surprise, A

Second

1. Beat The Clock
2. Number One Song In Heaven, The
3. Tryouts For The Human Race
4. When I’m With You
5. Funny Face
6. Tips For Teens
7. Upstairs
8. Angst In My Pants
9. Sextown U. S. A.
10. I Predict
11. Moustache
12. Modesty Plays
13. Cool Places – (with Jane Wiedlin)
14. All You Ever Think About Is Sex – (Single mix)
15. With All My Might
16. Change
17. Music That You Can Dance To
18. So Important