http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.68618&rws=%2Fsparks-2%2Fdiscography.rssSparks were doomed to obscurity from the beginning in their native U.S. Like Oscar Wilde and the turn-of-the-century decadents and dandies who inspired the Mael brothers, scandal both brought them fame and prevented the public from taking them seriously. Vocalist Russell Mael played the rock star with all the flamboyance of a peacock, while songwriter and keyboardist Ron Mael contrasted his brother's excesses with his ascetic scowl and Hitler mustache. The latter's favorite ploy has always been exposing people squirming in insecurity behind screens of wealth, vanity, professionalism and mediocrity. <p> Sparks enjoyed its first commercial success in the U.K. with 1974's <i>Kimono My House</i>, an album of neo-romanticism meets prog. rock, which reached number four in the U.K. In 1979, after a brief decline in popularity in Europe (and still little notoriety in their native U.S.), the duo called on the production talent of legendary producer Giorgio Moroder for <i>No. 1 In Heaven</i>, a celestial stairway of rapturous melodies heavily greased with irony and black humor, and which would later influence the synth pop of Depeche Mode and Pet Shop Boys. Though in the 1980s and beyond the Maels tended to settle for synth-driven chintz over rock 'n' roll substance, their music still retains the stinging wit that gives it savor. In 2006, the Mael brothers returned with <i>Hello Young Lovers</i>, an album of cheeky operatic prog. rock melodrama. - Chad DriscollNew Waveen720Sun, 29 Nov 2009 03:25:09 -0800 http://static.realone.com/rotw/images/logo_rhapsody_113x22.gif http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.68618&rws=%2Fsparks-2%2Fdiscography.rss Sparks were doomed to obscurity from the beginning in their native U.S. Like Oscar Wilde and the turn-of-the-century decadents and dandies who inspired the Mael brothers, scandal both brought them fame and prevented the public from taking them seriously. Vocalist Russell Mael played the rock star with all the flamboyance of a peacock, while songwriter and keyboardist Ron Mael contrasted his brother's excesses with his ascetic scowl and Hitler mustache. The latter's favorite ploy has always been exposing people squirming in insecurity behind screens of wealth, vanity, professionalism and mediocrity. <p> Sparks enjoyed its first commercial success in the U.K. with 1974's <i>Kimono My House</i>, an album of neo-romanticism meets prog. rock, which reached number four in the U.K. In 1979, after a brief decline in popularity in Europe (and still little notoriety in their native U.S.), the duo called on the production talent of legendary producer Giorgio Moroder for <i>No. 1 In Heaven</i>, a celestial stairway of rapturous melodies heavily greased with irony and black humor, and which would later influence the synth pop of Depeche Mode and Pet Shop Boys. Though in the 1980s and beyond the Maels tended to settle for synth-driven chintz over rock 'n' roll substance, their music still retains the stinging wit that gives it savor. In 2006, the Mael brothers returned with <i>Hello Young Lovers</i>, an album of cheeky operatic prog. rock melodrama. - Chad Driscoll http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.29430757&rws=%2Fsparks-2%2Fdiscography.rss New Wave Tue, 7 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700 Sparks Discography on Rhapsody Online alb.29430757 alb.29430757 Sparks art.68618 0.99 Good Morning (JBag Remix) alb.29430757 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/6/7/5/7/1757576_170x170.jpg 2009-07-07 00:00:00.0 null true false single http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.29430757&rws=%2Fsparks-2%2Fdiscography.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.29430757&variant=data&rws=%2Fsparks-2%2Fdiscography.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.24413715&rws=%2Fsparks-2%2Fdiscography.rss New Wave Tue, 1 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0700 Sparks Discography on Rhapsody Online alb.24413715 alb.24413715 Sparks art.68618 9.99 Sparks alb.24413715 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/3/4/4/4/1514443_170x170.jpg 2009-09-01 00:00:00.0 2008-09-01 00:00:00.0 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alb.23363626 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/7/3/1/0/1420137_170x170.jpg 2008-07-29 00:00:00.0 2008-05-19 00:00:00.0 true false main-release http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.23363626&rws=%2Fsparks-2%2Fdiscography.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.23363626&variant=data&rws=%2Fsparks-2%2Fdiscography.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.14328161&rws=%2Fsparks-2%2Fdiscography.rss New Wave Mon, 25 Sep 2006 00:00:00 -0700 Sparks Discography on Rhapsody Online alb.14328161 alb.14328161 Sparks art.68618 4.99 Dick Around alb.14328161 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/3/1/9/1/1011913_170x170.jpg 2006-09-25 00:00:00.0 2006-09-25 00:00:00.0 true false single http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.14328161&rws=%2Fsparks-2%2Fdiscography.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.14328161&variant=data&rws=%2Fsparks-2%2Fdiscography.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.9480744&rws=%2Fsparks-2%2Fdiscography.rss New Wave Tue, 7 Mar 2006 00:00:00 -0800 Sparks Discography on Rhapsody Online alb.9480744 alb.9480744 Sparks art.68618 8.99 Hello Young Lovers alb.9480744 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/7/6/4/3/1323467_170x170.jpg 2006-03-07 00:00:00.0 2006-03-07 00:00:00.0 true false main-release http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.9480744&rws=%2Fsparks-2%2Fdiscography.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.9480744&variant=data&rws=%2Fsparks-2%2Fdiscography.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.10968067&rws=%2Fsparks-2%2Fdiscography.rss New Wave Wed, 14 Dec 2005 00:00:00 -0800 Sparks Discography on Rhapsody Online alb.10968067 alb.10968067 Sparks art.68618 8.99 Pop Masters: So Important alb.10968067 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/3/3/7/0/870733_170x170.jpg 2005-12-14 00:00:00.0 2005-12-14 00:00:00.0 true false other http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.10968067&rws=%2Fsparks-2%2Fdiscography.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.10968067&variant=data&rws=%2Fsparks-2%2Fdiscography.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.24525516&rws=%2Fsparks-2%2Fdiscography.rss New Wave Fri, 1 Jul 2005 00:00:00 -0700 Sparks Discography on Rhapsody Online alb.24525516 alb.24525516 Sparks art.68618 4.99 Blockading Berlin alb.24525516 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/7/9/7/3/1483797_170x170.jpg 2005-07-01 00:00:00.0 2005-07-01 00:00:00.0 true false single http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.24525516&rws=%2Fsparks-2%2Fdiscography.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.24525516&variant=data&rws=%2Fsparks-2%2Fdiscography.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.317406&rws=%2Fsparks-2%2Fdiscography.rss New Wave Tue, 3 Jun 2003 00:00:00 -0700 Sparks Discography on Rhapsody Online alb.317406 alb.317406 Sparks art.68618 7.99 Lil' Beethoven alb.317406 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/3/8/4/0/1520483_170x170.jpg 2003-06-03 00:00:00.0 2002-11-26 00:00:00.0 true false main-release http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.317406&rws=%2Fsparks-2%2Fdiscography.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.317406&variant=data&rws=%2Fsparks-2%2Fdiscography.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.199151&rws=%2Fsparks-2%2Fdiscography.rss New Wave Tue, 31 Aug 2004 00:00:00 -0700 Sparks Discography on Rhapsody Online alb.199151 alb.199151 Sparks art.68618 8.99 Balls alb.199151 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/8/6/3/2/1282368_170x170.jpg 2004-08-31 00:00:00.0 2000-08-22 00:00:00.0 true false main-release http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.199151&rws=%2Fsparks-2%2Fdiscography.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.199151&variant=data&rws=%2Fsparks-2%2Fdiscography.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.234397&rws=%2Fsparks-2%2Fdiscography.rss New Wave Tue, 31 Aug 2004 00:00:00 -0700 Sparks Discography on Rhapsody Online alb.234397 alb.234397 Sparks art.68618 8.99 12" Mixes alb.234397 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/7/6/7/8/1278767_170x170.jpg 2004-08-31 00:00:00.0 1999-01-01 00:00:00.0 true false main-release http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.234397&rws=%2Fsparks-2%2Fdiscography.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.234397&variant=data&rws=%2Fsparks-2%2Fdiscography.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.234399&rws=%2Fsparks-2%2Fdiscography.rss New Wave Tue, 31 Aug 2004 00:00:00 -0700 Sparks Discography on Rhapsody Online alb.234399 alb.234399 Sparks art.68618 8.99 Plagiarism alb.234399 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/4/8/4/2/1282484_170x170.jpg 2004-08-31 00:00:00.0 1997-01-01 00:00:00.0 true false main-release http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.234399&rws=%2Fsparks-2%2Fdiscography.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.234399&variant=data&rws=%2Fsparks-2%2Fdiscography.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.236538&rws=%2Fsparks-2%2Fdiscography.rss New Wave Tue, 31 Aug 2004 00:00:00 -0700 Sparks Discography on Rhapsody Online alb.236538 alb.236538 Sparks art.68618 8.99 Pulling Rabbits Out Of A Hat alb.236538 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/4/5/9/8/1278954_170x170.jpg 2004-08-31 00:00:00.0 1984-01-01 00:00:00.0 true false main-release http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.236538&rws=%2Fsparks-2%2Fdiscography.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.236538&variant=data&rws=%2Fsparks-2%2Fdiscography.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.28540260&rws=%2Fsparks-2%2Fdiscography.rss New Wave Tue, 31 Aug 2004 00:00:00 -0700 Sparks Discography on Rhapsody Online alb.28540260 alb.28540260 Sparks art.68618 9.99 In Outer Space alb.28540260 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/4/4/5/2/1692544_170x170.jpg 2004-08-31 00:00:00.0 1983-11-01 00:00:00.0 true false main-release http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.28540260&rws=%2Fsparks-2%2Fdiscography.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.28540260&variant=data&rws=%2Fsparks-2%2Fdiscography.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.18311868&rws=%2Fsparks-2%2Fdiscography.rss New Wave Tue, 31 Aug 2004 00:00:00 -0700 Sparks Discography on Rhapsody Online alb.18311868 alb.18311868 Sparks art.68618 9.99 Angst In My Pants alb.18311868 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/9/3/5/2/1692539_170x170.jpg 2004-08-31 00:00:00.0 1982-01-01 00:00:00.0 true false main-release http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.18311868&rws=%2Fsparks-2%2Fdiscography.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.18311868&variant=data&rws=%2Fsparks-2%2Fdiscography.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.132114&rws=%2Fsparks-2%2Fdiscography.rss New Wave Mon, 30 Jul 1990 00:00:00 -0700 Sparks Discography on Rhapsody Online alb.132114 alb.132114 Sparks art.68618 6.99 The Best Of Sparks alb.132114 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/2/3/8/0/390832_170x170.jpg 1990-07-30 00:00:00.0 1979-01-01 00:00:00.0 true false main-release http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.132114&rws=%2Fsparks-2%2Fdiscography.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.132114&variant=data&rws=%2Fsparks-2%2Fdiscography.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.234400&rws=%2Fsparks-2%2Fdiscography.rss New Wave Tue, 31 Aug 2004 00:00:00 -0700 Sparks Discography on Rhapsody Online alb.234400 alb.234400 Sparks art.68618 6.99 Terminal Jive alb.234400 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/3/4/2/2/1282243_170x170.jpg 2004-08-31 00:00:00.0 1979-01-01 00:00:00.0 true false main-release http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.234400&rws=%2Fsparks-2%2Fdiscography.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.234400&variant=data&rws=%2Fsparks-2%2Fdiscography.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.21899054&rws=%2Fsparks-2%2Fdiscography.rss New Wave Tue, 29 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0700 Sparks Discography on Rhapsody Online alb.21899054 alb.21899054 Sparks art.68618 7.99 Introducing alb.21899054 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/9/9/3/8/1318399_170x170.jpg 2008-07-29 00:00:00.0 1977-01-01 00:00:00.0 true false main-release http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.21899054&rws=%2Fsparks-2%2Fdiscography.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.21899054&variant=data&rws=%2Fsparks-2%2Fdiscography.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.23949952&rws=%2Fsparks-2%2Fdiscography.rss New Wave Tue, 28 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0700 Sparks Discography on Rhapsody Online alb.23949952 alb.23949952 Sparks art.68618 8.99 Big Beat alb.23949952 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/6/5/5/1/1451556_170x170.jpg 2008-10-28 00:00:00.0 1976-01-01 00:00:00.0 true false main-release http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.23949952&rws=%2Fsparks-2%2Fdiscography.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.23949952&variant=data&rws=%2Fsparks-2%2Fdiscography.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.23949951&rws=%2Fsparks-2%2Fdiscography.rss New Wave Tue, 28 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0700 Sparks Discography on Rhapsody Online alb.23949951 alb.23949951 Sparks art.68618 8.99 Indiscreet alb.23949951 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/5/5/5/1/1451555_170x170.jpg 2008-10-28 00:00:00.0 1975-01-01 00:00:00.0 true false main-release http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.23949951&rws=%2Fsparks-2%2Fdiscography.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.23949951&variant=data&rws=%2Fsparks-2%2Fdiscography.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.23975451&rws=%2Fsparks-2%2Fdiscography.rss New Wave Tue, 28 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0700 Sparks Discography on Rhapsody Online alb.23975451 alb.23975451 Sparks art.68618 8.99 Propaganda alb.23975451 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/9/3/0/3/1453039_170x170.jpg 2008-10-28 00:00:00.0 1974-01-01 00:00:00.0 true false main-release http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.23975451&rws=%2Fsparks-2%2Fdiscography.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.23975451&variant=data&rws=%2Fsparks-2%2Fdiscography.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.109101&rws=%2Fsparks-2%2Fdiscography.rss New Wave Tue, 28 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0700 Sparks Discography on Rhapsody Online alb.109101 alb.109101 Sparks art.68618 8.99 Kimono My House alb.109101 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/7/8/6/1/1451687_170x170.jpg 2008-10-28 00:00:00.0 1974-01-01 00:00:00.0 true false main-release http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.109101&rws=%2Fsparks-2%2Fdiscography.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.109101&variant=data&rws=%2Fsparks-2%2Fdiscography.rss