Sparks’ Pop-Opera Gimmick

Sparks – Exotic Creatures of the Deep (Li’l Beethoven Records)

Pop opera, popera – whatever, it is. It is captivating, strange but pretty cool. With pop elements and vibrato vocals and embellished sound to accompany often humorous lyrics, Sparks is a master of the genre megaship. Sparks is a 2 piece band made up of Ron and Russell Mael that has been around for a few decades. Exotic Creatures of the Deep is their 21^st release.

“Good Morning” is about getting drunk and waking up to a beautiful stranger and assuming it was a glorious night. The track walks the listener through the situation making it extremely relatable. First, he wonders who this person is and then takes time to thank God for the probably glorious night, all in an over-orchestrated way.

Sparks, is like the beginning of “Bohemian Rhapsody” before it broke into a rock song with high pitched vocals he creates something fun with a somewhat serious sound. With an ornate sound including organ, vocal rounds, and backing choral arrangements, it’s something you don’t hear everyday.

Anytime Sparks will come up on shuffle, I’ll probably listen to the whole album; it’s just that captivating. The pop makes it catchy and dancey, the opera makes it intriguing and gives it the right amount of gimmick to want more.

“I Can’t Believe You Would Fall For All This Crap In This Song” is a kick in the pants answer to the romantic songs that fill the airwaves. While “love” songs usually say over the top promises, Russell sings “I love you, only you,” he also responds by wondering how anyone could fall for empty promises like that. It makes a statement to the girls who take song lyrics and promises of love forever as something more than a rhyme. It’s just a (rhyme) scheme. (Ooh Snap!) It’s another relatable and honest song.

“Photoshop” is one of my favorite tracks. Not only does it mention something seen everyday, it puts it in the context of real life and relationships. Once again, it’s humorous and has a recognizable/relatable action. The connection of Photoshop to real life mixed with kooky musical elements and even a delicate piano makes this song so delicious. Not to mention, this song would make it on my break up playlist if I was to create one.

Besides that this album has left Sparks open to an Adobe lawsuit,  it’s a great album. When you needs something fun, but not over powered with bass, then definitely put on some Sparks.

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Track listing:

1. “Intro”
2. “Good Morning”
3. “Strange Animal”
4. “I Can’t Believe That You Would Fall for All the Crap in This Song”
5. “Let the Monkey Drive”
6. “Intro Reprise”
7. “I’ve Never Been High”
8. “(She Got Me) Pregnant”
9. “Lighten Up, Morrissey”
10. “This is the Renaissance”
11. “The Director Never Yelled ‘Cut’”
12. “Photoshop”
13. “Likeable”

Image source: Amazon