Description
Sparks – Indiscreet – Vinyl Record
Released on October 24, 1975, Indiscreet is the fifth studio album by Sparks, marking a bold departure from the glam rock sound they had cultivated on their previous albums. Produced by Tony Visconti, best known for his work with David Bowie and T. Rex, the album expands Sparks’ musical palette, incorporating elements of big band jazz, orchestral pop, cabaret, vaudeville, and classical arrangements, creating an eclectic and unpredictable listening experience. While their previous albums, particularly Kimono My House (1974) and Propaganda (1974), established them as a quirky, high-energy glam rock act, Indiscreet sees the Mael brothers—Ron (keyboards, songwriting) and Russell (vocals)—embracing a broader, more theatrical approach. The result is a record that is both playful and experimental, blending witty, surreal lyricism with ambitious, genre-hopping compositions.
Musically, Indiscreet defies easy categorization, with each track exploring a different style. Songs like “Hospitality on Parade” and “Happy Hunting Ground” retain Sparks’ signature theatricality and eccentricity, while “Without Using Hands” and “It Ain’t 1918” dive into early 20th-century jazz and vaudeville influences. The album’s most well-known single, “Get in the Swing,” is a bombastic, brass-heavy track that feels both celebratory and tongue-in-cheek. Meanwhile, “Tits” tells a bizarre yet tragic story of a crumbling relationship with a humorous yet unsettling sincerity, showcasing Sparks’ knack for balancing absurdity with emotional weight. The orchestration throughout the album, courtesy of Visconti’s arrangements, adds a layer of grandeur, making songs like “Looks, Looks, Looks” and “Miss the Start, Miss the End” feel like they belong in a warped Broadway production. Despite its ambitious nature, Indiscreet maintains a sense of playfulness and unpredictability, proving that Sparks were willing to take risks rather than settle into a singular sound.
Indiscreet received mixed reviews, with some critics struggling to grasp its genre-hopping eccentricities. While it did not achieve the same commercial success as Kimono My House, it has since been re-evaluated as one of Sparks’ most daring and forward-thinking albums. Over the years, it has gained a reputation as a cult favorite, influencing artists who admire its fearless genre experimentation and sharp-witted lyricism. Though it marked the end of Sparks’ brief glam rock era, it set the stage for their constant reinvention, which would continue through their later ventures into synth-pop, disco, and avant-garde art rock. Indiscreet remains an essential listen for those who appreciate boundary-pushing pop music, full of clever twists, theatrical flourishes, and Sparks’ unmistakable charm.
Gatefold sleeve
Includes a ‘The Sound Of Vinyl’ download code card.
Brand new, never played and still in the factory plastic seal
Track Listing
Hospitality On Parade
Happy Hunting Ground
Without Using Hands
Get In The Swing
Under The Table With Her
How Are You Getting Home?
Pineapple
Tits
It Ain’t 1918
The Lady Is Lingering
In The Future
Looks, Looks, Looks
Miss The Start, Miss The End
