Sparks – Kimono My House
(Island Records 1974 ILPS9272 Pink Rim Island label)
Matrix No’s: A2/B1 – UK Pressing
Pinched Spine Sleeve in Nr MINT condition
Inner Sleeve in Nr MINT condition
– lyric side shows some discolouration from the glue along edges
Vinyl in Nr MINT condition
(there are a few light surface marks visible on the vinyl when held up to the light but they don’t affect the sound quality)
Sparks are an American pop band formed in Los Angeles in 1971 by brothers Ron (keyboards) and Russell Mael (vocals), renamed from Halfnelson, formed in 1968. Known for their quirky approach to songwriting, Sparks’ music is often accompanied by intelligent, sophisticated, and acerbic lyrics, and an idiosyncratic, theatrical stage presence, typified in the contrast between Russell’s animated, hyperactive frontman antics and Ron’s deadpan scowling. They are also noted for Russell Mael’s falsetto voice and Ron Mael’s keyboard style.
While achieving chart success in various countries around the world including the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and the United States, they have enjoyed a cult following since their first releases. During the late 1970s, when in collaboration with Giorgio Moroder (and Telex subsequently), Sparks reinvented themselves as a new wave/synthpop duo, and abandoned the traditional rock band line up. Their frequently changing styles and visual presentations have kept the band at the forefront of modern, artful pop music.
The 2002 release of Lil’ Beethoven, their “genre-defying opus”, as well as the more recent albums Hello Young Lovers (2006, their 20th studio album), Exotic Creatures of the Deep (2008), and their latest fantasy musical The Seduction of Ingmar Bergman (2009–2010) have brought Sparks renewed critical and commercial success, and seen them continue to “steer clear of pop conventions.” The band also released an album with Scottish indie rock band Franz Ferdinand, as the supergroup FFS, titled FFS, released on June 8, 2015.
Sparks are best known for the songs “This Town Ain’t Big Enough for Both of Us”, which reached number 2 in the British charts in 1974; the electronic hit “The Number One Song in Heaven” in 1979; “When I’m With You” which topped the French Charts in 1980; the single “I Predict”, which provided Sparks’ first appearance on the Billboard Hot 100, reaching No. 60 in May 1982; the 1983 single “Cool Places” with Go-Go Jane Wiedlin, and “When Do I Get To Sing ‘My Way'” which topped the German and European charts in 1994/95 and was the top airplay record in Germany for 1994.
Kimono My House is the third album by American rock band Sparks. The album was released in May 1974 and is considered to be their commercial breakthrough album. Its title is a pun on the song “Come on-a My House,” made famous by Rosemary Clooney.
Track listing
All songs written and composed by Ron Mael; except where indicated.
| Side one | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length | |||||||
| 1. | “This Town Ain’t Big Enough for Both of Us” | 3:05 | ||||||||
| 2. | “Amateur Hour” | 3:37 | ||||||||
| 3. | “Falling In Love With Myself Again” | 3:03 | ||||||||
| 4. | “Here In Heaven” | 2:48 | ||||||||
| 5. | “Thank God It’s Not Christmas” | 5:07 | ||||||||
| Side two | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length | |||||||
| 6. | “Hasta Mañana, Monsieur” | Russell Mael and Ron Mael | 3:52 | |||||||
| 7. | “Talent Is An Asset” | 3:21 | ||||||||
| 8. | “Complaints” | 2:50 | ||||||||
| 9. | “In My Family” | Russell Mael and Ron Mael | 3:48 | |||||||
| 10. | “Equator” | 4:42 | ||||||||
Personnel
- Russell Mael, vocals
- Ron Mael, keyboards
- Martin Gordon, bass
- Adrian Fisher, guitar
- Norman “Dinky” Diamond, drums
Other credits
- Recording engineers – Richard Digby-Smith, Tony Platt
- Mixdown engineer – Bill Price
- Art Direction – Nicholas de Ville
- Cover concept – Ron Mael, Nicholas de Ville
- Photography – Karl Stoeker
- Artwork – Bob Bowkett, CCS
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