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Elly Roberts reviews
Gut Records
- Cat.no: GUTCD53
- Released: February 2006
- Rating: 8/10
Sparks’ 20th studio album, Hello Young Lovers, is set to raise some eyebrows.
Eccentric American brothers Russell (curly haired singer) and Ron Mael(the one with the Hitler moustache, on keyboards) burst onto the UK pop scenein 1974 with the weird but wonderful and unforgettable classic This TownAin’t Big Enough For Both Of Us. Their witty and ever-changing musicalstyles have pushed the boundaries of popular music to their limits – nochange here.
Both now into their 50s, the duo is clearly on a mission toimpress a new audience. Holed up for 18 months, they have delivered anawesome piece of music – how it will be received by the general public isanother matter. There isn’t an out and out pop song in sight. Nevertheless,Hello Young Lovers breaks new ground, in theRufus Wainwrightmould, combining classical and opera influences. As a commercial entity, theystopped charting in 1997 singles-wise and albums even further back in 1979.
What we have now is a bold and brave attempt to be taken seriously, foronce, though you’d never think it with an opening track called Dick Around.My simple maths tells me that despite the critical acclaim of previousoffering Lil’ Beethoven which failed to transfer into commercial success,they’ve released twenty albums, four charted: 16 didn’t.
If the bros are happy with that track record then so be it: Hello YoungLovers will do little to improve things. That said, this is a fascinatingalbum as they break new ground with trademark quirkiness – check Here Kitty.Amongst the lyrical daftness, there’s some seriously great music. No doubtcritics will laud this one too, but that’s it, unfortunately, because itmakes interesting listening. It will definitely not re-engage them with theUK’s public consciousness.
With a ‘Queenesque’ grand opening of Dick Aroundwe’re immediately thrown into the opus which takes on an overall audio rideof 51 minutes plus. Single Perfume, is possibly the worst choice to bringthem back, despite being a half decent track. Elsewhere, there’s a plethoraof playful lyrics – Baby Can I Invade Your Country, There’s No Such Thing AsAliens – lashings of strings (presumably via synths) simple guitar riffs andplenty of atmosphere. Where it all falls down is the lack of ‘soul’ as partscome across as pretentious. Even Rock Rock Rock quotes the words “a lack offeeling. lack of conviction.” Maybe it’s their remit to confuse us. There’snothing rock about it whatsoever, possessing more classical overtones.
There is however, a positive and bouncy ambiance which must be applauded.Production, harmonies, musicianship etc are superb, but they’ll remain acult band for all their hard work.
It’s very clever stuff, maybe too clever for the charts.
The lead single ‘Perfume’ is out on Monday 13 February.
The full list of tracks on the CD are :
1. Dick Around
2. Perfume
3. The Very Next Flight
4. (Baby, Baby) Can I Invade Your Country
5. Rock, Rock, Rock
6. Metaphor
7. Waterproof
8. Here Kitty
9. There’s No Such Thing As Aliens
10. As I Sit Down To Play The Organ At The Notre Dame Cathedral
Elly Roberts passed away in 2011, but he was a man who was so passionate about all types of music and loved meeting his musical heroes, such as Mick Hucknall at a book signing at the Trafford Centre, Manchester in 2007.
A former teacher and also a music journalist, DJ and radio presenter on local community station Calon FM, plus appearances on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru and BBC Radio 2, Elly started doing reviews for DVDfever.co.uk in 2004 and he did the majority of the CD and concerts reviews on the website.
I know also that he loved getting away for the summer to Spain and I hope that wherever he is now he is enjoying the hot sunshine and, as one of his friends has said on his Facebook page, that he is interviewing his musical heroes.