1977 Sparks – Introducing Sparks

Introducing Sparks is the seventh album by Sparks released in 1977. The release was their second and final album for Columbia Records. At the time of its release it was a commercial failure and received very negative reviews claiming that the band had adopted a new ‘American sound’ despite the fact that the Mael brothers are indeed Americans.

Introducing Sparks was no more a success in terms of chart performance than their previous album Big Beat. It did not chart in the UK or US. “A Big Surprise” backed with “Forever Young” was released a single but failed to gain any significant sales or radio play. The Mael brothers next would team-up successfully with Giorgio Moroder in 1978 to record a very different album from Introducing Sparks.

Sparks is an American rock 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 wide-eyed hyperactive frontman antics and Ron’s sedentary scowling. They are also noted for Russell Mael’s falsetto voice and Ron Mael’s keyboard style.

Tracks

1  A Big Surprise (Russell Mael, Ron Mael) 3:39
2  Occupation (Russell Mael, Ron Mael) 5:14
3  Ladies (Russell Mael, Ron Mael) 3:05
4  I\’m Not (Russell Mael, Ron Mael) 3:24
5  Forever Young (Russell Mael, Ron Mael) 3:27
6  Goofing Off (Russell Mael, Ron Mael) 4:25
7  Girls On The Brain (Russell Mael, Ron Mael) 3:38
8  Over The Summer (Russell Mael, Ron Mael) 3:48
9  Those Mysteries (Russell Mael, Ron Mael) 5:01

Media

Musicians

BassMike Porcaro
BassReinie Press
DrumsEd Greene
GuitarThom Rotella
GuitarBen Benay
PianoAlan Broadbent
PianoDavid Foster
KeyboardsDavid Paich
Background VocalsTom Bahler
Background VocalsAl Capps
Background VocalsStan Farber
Background VocalsJames Haas
Background VocalsRon Hicklin
Background VocalsMarc Piscitelli
Background VocalsNick Uhrig

Liner Notes

Producer – Terry Powell, Russell Mael, Ron Mael
Arranged By – Ron Mael
Engineer – Lenny Roberts
Engineer (Assistant) – Betsy Banghart, Randy Tominaga

Design – John Kehe, Tommy Steele
Photography By – Bob Seidemann

Licensed From – Island Records Ltd.
Manufactured By – Columbia Records
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Island Records Ltd.
Copyright (c) – CBS Inc.
Copyright (c) – Ackee Music, Inc.
Recorded At – Larrabee Sound Studios
Mastered At – Allen Zentz Mastering