PROPAGANDA

Jenn and I select our favorite songs from a Sparks album and play them for you here and discuss why Sparks is the greatest band in all of Tarnation, by golly.

Ted: Hey Baby, ready for a hefty dose of Propaganda?

Jenn: Exactly- You can't have anything BUT a hefty dose of Propaganda! You bet I'm ready.

T: We're in the middle of "the Island years," reviewing Sparks releases from the mid-70s, when they were signed to Island Records.

J: They were living it up in the UK, making cash and laughing their asses off, methinks, continuing to write songs that were unlike anything anybody else was doing.

T: It seems like the consensus among critics is that this is "Kimono Pt II" - which is not a bad thing...

J: No not at all. And, I'll agree with them. At this point in their career, this album was anything but ordinary, compared to other bands, but fans could say, 'oh yeah, that is definitely Sparks' sound,' which upon listening to the album is an impressive sound to call your own.

T: When I think of a song from one of the two albums, I'm often at a loss as to which one it is on, so, yeah, very similar. I've chosen "At Home, At Work, At Play" as my song selection for the sheer fact that it sends tingles down my spine.

J: Now wait a minute! That is soo my song!

J: It might be because we had it pumping at full volume during our entire road trip to see Opeth, but, besides that, it is just too well crafted to ignore.

T: I think if a case were to be made for Queen ripping off Sparks, evidence would be found within the content of this song, especially in Russell's vocals.

J: It is a mature song, with a strong beat - none of the strange child chorus that muddies up some of the others on the album, in my mind - and it just makes you ready to listen to the rest of the album. I mean, the opening just comes out belting!

T: The transition in Russell's voice between the opening lyrics and the line "You gotta catch her when she's still at home," floors me.  Intense, then delicate, back and forth, throughout the song and building to its climax.  Wow!

J: Yeh, yeh. He's got skillz. They're unmatched on the album anywhere else.

T: That soft/hard formula is often copied and repeated in other rock n roll climes. Didn't I read somewhere that Cobain was a fan of early Sparks?

J: He was, yes. I do want to say that the crafting of the rest of the album is brilliant, though. This whole war/romance, strange-ass theme that they just OWN is incredible. The two singles that were up there on the UK charts were worthy of the attention they got. In fact, I think that our obsession with "Don't Leave Me Alone With Her" should not go unmentioned.

J: There are puppets on our bookshelves...

T: Yes, I should mention that we have endeavored to set an operatic puppet show to that tune...

T: Let's make that our second pick, then.

J: It would have to be the forementioned for me. "Don't Leave Me Alone With Her" is one of the funniest songs Ron has ever written. There are so many songs about love and hate and strange women in this world, but this one - it just takes the cake.

J: Russell is just a master of expressing desparation with his vocals, and the falsetto is great in this song.

T: That is so well said, I think we should leave it at that!  See ya next time for Indiscreet?

J: I'll be here. Ciao!

T: Ciao Bella!

"At Home, At Work, At Play"

At Home, At Work, At Play
I know youre unavailable from dusk to dawn
Or if you were availible youd bring along
A lot of what could only be a hindrance to me
I aint a glutton for a lot of sweaty company
You gotta catch her while shes still at home
You gotta catch her while shes still at work
You gotta catch her while shes still at play
The only way is at home, work or play

Time really flies when it aint that much time
You better shave half your face at a time
And brush the front of your teeth, leave the rest
And be with her when shes not with the rest
Stop, theres gotta be a million girls like her, though
I cant think of one
So you catch her while shes still at home
And you catch her while shes still at work
And you catch her while shes still at play

Don't let her calendar be any cause to pout
There is a bit of time when there are a few about
Im gonna skirt the issue of her popularity
And just avail myself of all the time that she is free
You gotta catch her while shes still at home
You gotta catch her while shes still at work
You gotta catch her while shes still at play
Cause half the day shes at home, work or play

And time is fleeing the scene of the crime
The act of passing out wrinkles and lines
To every person regardless of race
To every person regardless of face
Stop, theres gotta be a million girls like her, though
I cant think of one
So at home she says you butler well
And at work she says you're typing well
And at play she says you caddie well

Stop,
theres gotta be a million girls like her, though I cant think of one
So you catch her while shes still at home
And you catch her while shes still at work
And you catch her while shes still at play

I'm gonna love you under incandescent light
I'm gonna love you under flourscent light
The glaring sun above should not inhibit us at all
I'm very glad to know that your libido never palls

Stop, shes unique, espscially at home
Where youre butler, maid, and often cook
And at work together juggling books
Or at play between the tennis sets
Or at play before shes placed her bet
Or at play while shes still slightly wet
Or at play while she is dripping wet

"Don't Leave Me Alone With Her"

The Exodus is on
The impetus is gone
Nobodys having fun
How about another drink
Or maybe just a snack
The rest will be here soon
Here, let me take you mac
I know its started slow
Theres still no need to go

Dont leave me alone with her
Every home is Rome alone with her
And if you all go, who'll say no to her
Dont leave me alone with her
Dont my sweat and shaking register
Cause if you all go, who'll say no to her

You look at her and say, "She looks OK to me"
I look at her and say, "She looks OK to me"
The reasons very clear
You're watching her with me

Dont leave me alone with her
Every home is Rome alone with her
And if you all go, who'll say no to her

Unwitting chaperons, how come you cannot see
Unwitting chaperons, how come you cannot see
A Hitler wearing heels
A soft Simon Legree
A Hun with honey skin
De Sade who makes good tea
Dont leave me here to be
Dont leave me here yo be

Dont leave me alone with her
Dont my sweat and shaking register
Cause if you all go, who'll say no to her
Dont leave me alone with her
Dont leave me alone with her
Dont leave me alone with her

Dont leave me alone with her
Every home is Rome alone with her
And if you all go, who'll say no to her...