Old Music Tuesdays: Sparks

For me, that's Deerhoof. The first time I heard them, I was blown away but knew they weren't for everybody. My sister, who shares much of my musical taste, couldn't take them. Nor could most of my friends.

I think it's that voice. She has that quality that some people love and some people just can't stand.

Sent by Jim | 12:13 PM | 6-10-2008

Blink182. People groan when I mention that I have a soft spot for them, but they were the masters of the pop-punk movement, and actually knew how to write a song. On top of that, their last album was the sorely overlooked gem of their catalog.

Sent by David W. | 12:41 PM | 6-10-2008

Back in the day it was Style Council. All my friends loved The Jam and Weller's solo efforts and were horrified by the pop-fluff vibe of SC. I still play their one and only recording. Perfect for summer!

Sent by sara | 3:41 PM | 6-10-2008

The Gin Blossoms. They aren't just throw away pop songs to me. Those songs spoke to the happier side of my adolescent soul--the side that rivaled my inclination to wallow in melancholy. I stand by my claim that "the Gin Blossoms are more than just a pop phenomenon."

Sent by Jenny | 3:56 PM | 6-10-2008

I'm a pretty big fan of Manic Street Preachers, but I find that they are the band friends are most likely to ask me to turn off. I can't think of one friend of mine who is even a small fan of them. (Although I do have at least one friend who seems to follow the rumors and sightings of Richey James.)

I think my friends find their music a little overly dramatic, but I really enjoy the drama in their sound.

Sent by Mac Coldwell | 4:54 PM | 6-10-2008

Spock's Beard -- they're a remnant from my prog-rock phase in the 90's. When I give them a spin, I get a lot of really strange looks from my friends. I'm pretty sure they're still making albums (although with out their old lead singer/songwriter), but I haven't looked into them in a few years.

Sent by Casey | 6:15 PM | 6-10-2008

These guys remind me of The Fiery Furnaces a lot.

Sent by Angela | 9:49 PM | 6-10-2008

I've got one to top them all: Phil Collins. I don't like most 80s pop music, but for some reason when I hear a dark Phil Collins song like "In the Air Tonight", I always turn up the radio.

Sent by Stacia | 10:26 PM | 6-10-2008

Billy Squier. There isn't a band rehearsing in Brooklyn right now that can touch Everybody Wants You, The Stroke, Rock Me Tonight, or (especially) Lonely is the Night!

Sent by Mike | 10:51 PM | 6-10-2008

I'm a big fan of Sparks. Bob, did you ever get around to listening to Bryan Scary, whom I suggested in my band to call my own post? The music is like a blend of Sparks with the melodic aspects of T-Rex.

In any case, to answer the question at hand, I like to listen to Josephine Foster when I'm in the right mood for it (but nobody else I know can tolerate 30 seconds of it).

I completely hear what you mean about Bryan Scary and Josephine Foster...I'd probably put Joanna Newsom in that category as well.
all the best Pable.
Bob

Sent by Pablo | 12:17 AM | 6-11-2008

Sparks is amazing! "This Town Ain't Big Enough for the Both of Us" is my go-to karaoke jam.

But to answer your question, the band that causes the most problems for my friends is Sparks.

Sent by Gbzz | 3:26 AM | 6-11-2008

godspeed you! black emperor (or godspeed you black emperor! if you want to be nostalgic about it). I've found I've had to introduce them to people when they're in just the right frame of mind, otherwise they can't get past the initial monotony.

Sent by Jesse | 6:16 AM | 6-11-2008

Can remember catching Sparks performing "Cool Places" w/ Go Go Jane Wiedlin on Dick Clark's American Bandstand back in the early/mid-'80s. Their Who, Kinks, & Roxy Music influences come through loud & clear now, but in the '70s I was likely one of the customers fleeing your record store.

Sent by Betsy | 8:54 AM | 6-11-2008

Autechre.

Sent by Bobby | 10:02 AM | 6-11-2008

CARDIACS full stop. Best band in the world, but not for everybody. They have a little Sparks in them, too.

Sent by schlep | 10:53 AM | 6-11-2008

Rush. To me they are the pinnacle of intelligent ROCK. Live, today, they're better than ever, continuing to blast complex times and power chords. And they're in their 50's. I've loved them since I was 16.

Sent by Kanaka Wahine | 4:01 PM | 6-11-2008

Born Ruffians drive my teenage daughter crazy, especially first song on their first EP, "This sentence will ruin/save your life." I admit I play it to irritate her. But it's payback for all those years of having to listen to her Hamsterdance CDs.

Sent by Diana | 2:53 PM | 6-12-2008

I used to work in Fopp Records and every so often I'd test the waters by putting on Joanna Newsome's first record. It's the only album that ever raised a cheer from a shop full of customers when it was switched off ( at my boss' insistence). I was most offended.

Sent by May Bell | 7:32 PM | 6-12-2008

Primus

Sent by John the Fisherman | 9:57 AM | 6-16-2008

A band I love that EVERYONE hates? Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark. And with the selling of their souls to the brat pack, I can't blame folks for loathing all that is OMD.

Start with Architecture and Morality. Then give a listen to Dazzle Ships, and all albums before. They are like nothing else of the late 70s and very early 80s.

Head over to their site for free downloads: http://www.omd.uk.com/html/downloads.html. Skip down to 'Souvenir' and work your way to 'Navigation.'

Peter Saville (Joy Division, New Order) did many of the album sleeves.

Sent by Brian Collins | 10:36 AM | 6-16-2008

Kimya Dawson. The record store guy steered me to "Remember That I Love You" over the "Juno soundtrack" and it went into constant rotation - and my friends don't get it. PS - saw Sparks open for Rick Springfield (don't judge) in 1982 and have loved them since.

Sent by Ann V. | 12:06 PM | 6-16-2008

The one man act known as Atom and His Package has produced more venom from my friends than any overproduced hypermarketed pop trash that saturates radio and television. His voice is an unapologetic nasal whine and the only instrument he uses is a electronic sequencer. But god do I love him for it. He even has a prominently displayed hate mail section on his page. NPR actually did a story on him a couple years before he broke up the "band." It's all very funny to me, very irritating to others.

Sent by Craig | 12:35 PM | 6-16-2008

Love, Ramones (friends frisbeed the first album out a window, in the middle of winter, in Nome Alaska, opened a window in the middle of WINTER!!), the first Emerson Lake and Palmer album (sigh, I'm old) met with universal disdain (usually a thrown foodstuff or other),

Money by the Flying Lizards

the Raveonettes (the usual comment "Uh, I guess you gotta be in the mood).

I can't really be too harsh: I go apeshirt when the Beastie Boys or the Red Hot Chili Peppers foul my auditory range.

Sent by Stephen Levine | 1:54 PM | 6-16-2008

Animal Collective. I know I'm not the only emphatic fan- the internet is crawling with us- but among my friends and those I share music with, no one is with me. It was a trip going to their most recent show by myself and being in a whole room full of people- many more obsessed than I am myself- and that also was a relief.

Sent by Rachel | 3:06 PM | 6-16-2008

Ween. When I'm at home with my iPod on shuffle in the stereo and a loud, abrasive, almost unlistenable song comes on, and my wife asks, "What is this?" 90% of the time the only explanation I have to give is "Ween," and my wife rolls her eyes and goes back to whatever she was doing.

I can't really explain why I like them. They're often juvenile and offensive, but they're very funny. And I do think that in their more serious moments they create some great music.

Sent by Kyle | 4:09 PM | 6-16-2008

When I first met my wife, she played Joanna Newsom and I thought it just wasn't gonna work out b/c of that...
Needless to say, we got married two weeks ago.

Sent by Joshua | 4:43 PM | 6-16-2008

The only Sparks song I even remember is"...Pretending to be Drunk." Guaranteed to clear the room! But, I loved it. Zappa tends to be the one that gets me the most evil looks per second of playtime.

Sent by Thomas King | 5:01 PM | 6-16-2008

Oh man, this one's pretty easy for me... Right off the bat I can tell you S.P.A. ( http://www.myspace.com/sparemix ) is for defintely selective taste. It's not your normal electro. They love crunchy synth, hard samples and a very distorted sound.... Other duos and DJs like Teenage Bad Girl ( http://www.myspace.com/teenagebadgirl ) just arn't seen in the same light of creativity like many other popular DJs (like Justice) right now, when I think honestly they deserve the right with their creativity.

One of my favorite frowned upon bands right now is Die Princess Die.. a very aggressive and fun band, check em out here: http://www.myspace.com/dieprincessdie worth the time, that is, if your into slightly thrashy music, I personally love "The Racer".

Also, I love hardcore, so I could list off allot of bands many music aficionados would turn their noses up at. ;]

Sent by Eben L. | 5:08 PM | 6-16-2008

Melt Banana. The first time I heard them I was blown away by the sounds the guitarist was making with his guitar. Then the singer started singing. I was taken aback, but quickly got over it. No one else I've ever played them for has though. Come on! Whether or not you can stand the high pitched japanese woman belting out lyrics, Cell Scape is one of the most amazing cds I've heard and defintely in my favorite albums ever list.

Sent by Alex R. Cronk-Young | 6:27 PM | 6-16-2008

Fant??mas? Anyone? Besides The Director's Cut album, many ears can't stand them. But i love it! All of their work is phenomenal.

Sent by Andres | 6:54 PM | 6-16-2008

There's the obvious stuff, of course, like Autechre, Animal Collective, or Akron/Family, but I was genuinely surprised that none of my friends like the recent Justice album.

Sent by Ian | 7:32 PM | 6-16-2008

1) Captain Beefheart!! My wife believes me to be mad, but gotta love the "artistic elements" in every track. 2) Mr. Bungle! Having an artist play 6 songs (and genres) in one is pretty amazing.

Sent by Art Gold | 1:12 AM | 6-17-2008

I love Mercer Friendly (their music can be heard at http://mercerfriendly.com/blog/), tho it gives my spouse the jim-jams. They are a NYC-based electronic duo whose music ranges from soothing to disturbing.

Sent by Dubya | 1:27 AM | 6-17-2008

I am absolutely in love with Regina Spektor. Most of my friends... not so much. I hear beautiful, quirky songs and emotionally intense lyrics, while everyone else seems to hear "some Russian chick yelping about some stupid [stuff]" I'm definitely alone in saying that Soviet Kitsch was the best album of 2004.

Sent by Dan | 3:47 AM | 6-17-2008

Bryan Adams. And Monks.

Sent by Alexander Fjelldal | 6:56 AM | 6-17-2008

Animal Collective

First, I was like, "turn that screaming sh!t down!", then I found myself singing the same song to myself all the time. Now I love 'em!

Sent by Julienne | 7:34 AM | 6-17-2008

Well there is always the love or hate feelings people have for Weird Al. When I first heard Yoda () all those years ago I was hooked.

But the quintessential band for which I always hear "please, can we listen to something else" is Danielson Familie. (

Sent by russ porter | 10:10 AM | 6-17-2008

The Bruces. Very annoying but underappreiciated band. The guys voice after one song rakes your ear drums with a meat tenderizer, but you keep coming back for more. They are like lemons.

Sent by Jessie | 10:10 AM | 6-17-2008

spacemen 3, coil, throbbing gristle, crass

Sent by Kelly | 10:30 AM | 6-17-2008

Danielson/Danielson Famile are one of my greatest musical loves. They have driven my roommates/friends/family crazy.
Right alongside them is Daniel Johnston.

Sent by Tommy | 1:51 PM | 6-17-2008

Though they recently broke up, The Blood Brothers fit that description well. I don't know too many more people who enjoy listening to them as I do.

http://www.myspace.com/thebloodbrothersband

Sent by Mike | 3:32 PM | 6-17-2008

Most of my friends (or music critics, for that matter) did not share my love for Grand Funk Railroad, Bloodrock or Budgie. Sparks, however, is one of my favorite bands of all time. I still buy their music.

"Get in the swing, pal".

Sent by Joe | 9:52 PM | 6-17-2008

I love the band Candypants, a girl band from the nineties. They are pure campy joy, like the musical equivilent of that single reality show you secretly love to watch when you're alone for the evening. Cocorosie is a deeply beloved second.

Sent by Sunny | 11:14 PM | 6-17-2008

For me this would be Atom and His Package. The great one-man band. He lacks a singing voice, which turns many off but his lyrics are comical and entertaining.

Sent by Pete Christensen | 7:23 AM | 6-18-2008

Sixpence None the Richer comes to mind for one. They're a band whose reputation is slightly tarnished due to some ultra-poppy singles in 1999, but they have made some truly great music since then.

Another would be The Flaming Lips. They're definitely a take-it-or-leave-it sort of band with the sort of limited appeal that leaves them with a small--but very devoted--following.

Sent by Tyler Hunt | 10:08 AM | 6-18-2008

In reference to Sparks, the California band "The Format" does a pretty great cover of this song on the ep "And I Hope You're Alright - Live in California"

You can find it easily on itunes.

check it out!

Sent by Aaron | 11:03 AM | 6-18-2008

I am the only person I know that enjoys Tom Waits. My dog and I have 'Tom Waits Sing-A-Long Time' every Saturday morning, "Downtown Train" is my dog's favorite song to "sing" along to.

Bjork is also another one of my favorite artists that no one else seems to enjoy.

Both Bjork and tom Waits are equal parts genius and insanity that drives most folks up a wall.

Sent by Jamie | 11:40 AM | 6-18-2008

If by everyone you mean my wife (since she's around me more than anyone else), then she doesn't hate a particular band as much as she hates an entire country. I grew up in Canada in the 80's and that has informed a lot of my musical choices. And she can peg a Canadian band from 300 yards out. The biggest point of contention is Dalbello, whose 1996 album Whore was brilliant and if I even walk toward it, my wife threatens me with all kinds of physical damage if I play it while she's in the room. But that's only the beginning; she can't stand anything Canadian, from The Payolas all the way to Arcade Fire. What fascinates me is she usually tells me she hates it before I tell her the band is from Canada.

It's a strange talent, but that's part of being married, right? Sneaking off alone with headphones? It is in my house.

Sent by David McLean | 1:07 PM | 6-18-2008

There's an album that came out in 1980 called Drama. It was by the band Yes, but in an incarnation unlike anything else that ever went by that name.

In 1980, after Yes had reached a creative dead end, vocalist Jon Anderson and keyboardist Rick Wakeman (two defining members of the band) quit. The three remaining members found an experimental electronic/new wave duo called The Buggles, which just happened to consist of a vocalist and a keyboard player. They joined together to make a single album before dissolving.

The combination of three seasoned, accomplished musicians and two young renegades with a fully opposite style resulted in a fusion as unique as anything else I've heard. They managed to combine the best parts of prog-rock and new wave into a style that was at once complex and expansive, while remaining intense and vital.

This formation of Yes tends to be judged against the groundbreaking progressive rock of the '70s and the chart-topping pop of the '80s, only because they share a name. In that context it may not look good. But judged as a completely different and unique band, it's one of the most interesting albums in my entire collection. Well worth a re-evaluation.

Sent by Mike VW | 4:22 PM | 6-18-2008

I dare anyone to keep a straight face when the camera zooms in on the keyboard player/Hitler impersonator. Just don't do it when you are drinking anything. I nearly sprayed water all over my monitor.

Sent by Santino | 6:39 PM | 6-18-2008

For me this band has always been Pansy Division, particularly the album Deflowered. The lyrics are so clever and the songs so catchy and fun, but there's something about songs depicting gay lovin' that makes EVERY straight guy (and some girls) I know desperate to take the cd out. Maybe it's kind of graphic, but I love it so much!

Sent by Tracy | 7:44 PM | 6-18-2008

Bob,

Thanks for playing Sparks! It still sounds good and brings back a lot of fond memories.

As for music that drives everyone away - put on anything by Peter Hammill or Van der Graaf Generator and watch the room clear.

I saw Hammill perform solo once in a very small club and someone yelled "Play A Plague of Lighthouse Keepers". To which he replied "Sure thing - with an acoustic guitar?"

Sent by Don | 9:21 PM | 6-18-2008

Kramer.
One half of the '80s experimental psych band Bongwater who went on to found Shimmy Disc Records.
"The Secret of Comedy" and "The Guilt Trip" were two albums which easily slid between heavy handed guitar riffs, ethereal experimentation, random noise-scapes, and beautiful melody. Amazing stuff.
Of course my wife just calls it 'creepy dwarf music.' Whatever that means.

Sent by edward | 10:37 AM | 6-19-2008

I hate The Decemberists, and I know they're innocuous enough, but I think they're really boring. And, I get strange looks for this. And, I never go crazy for Wilco like every other Chicagoan does. You wanna throw people into panic: tell them that The Kinks are better than The Beatles. They get very angry with you...

Sent by Carrie | 4:57 PM | 6-19-2008

Prefab Sprout! My wife gets in a bad mood when she senses the disk is close by. But I LOVE 'em.

Sent by John | 3:27 AM | 6-20-2008

Pavement - I'm sure everyone who reads this blog adores them like myself, but I've never been able to get my friends into them. "It's all offkey!" I suppose you have to get use to Malkmus' voice. I've heard people say this about the White Stripes too -- some people simply can't get past Jack White's voice.

Sent by Conor | 10:04 AM | 6-20-2008

This is a bit nostaligic. While they are widely revered now, there was a time in college when my friends and I would play Marquee Moon by Television to see who left the room. Those who stayed could be our friends.

Sent by DRW | 8:25 PM | 6-20-2008

In the mid-80s I first heard the band A-ha, and that was it for me. As a kid I was obsessed with the Beatles and their finely crafted pop music, but even that was surpassed once I heard A-ha.

The heartfelt and melancholic lyrics, soaring melodies, and soulful voice of singer Morten Harket, has continued to touch me in a very profound way- there is something defiant yet completely genuine in their approach-- music for introverts?

Unfortunately, I think they came out at the wrong time. Emerging at the height of the synthpop era, the production on their early work often works against the beautiful sentiment of their lyrics and music. Having grown up in the era, however, I feel lucky that I had a chance to experience their music without many musical prejudices- my interests were wide open, and I found a band who shared that very adventurous temperament.

The fact that A-ha continues to create meaningful music pleases me to no end. Fans like Coldplay, Sondre Lerche, Kings of Convenience, and Keane, make me realize I am not alone in my respect for their songwriting abilities.

Sent by Jeremy | 10:53 AM | 6-21-2008

Lately I've been listening to Beirut as frequently as I listened to the Backstreet Boys in elementary school. Some of my friends like them as well, but most of them are beginning to bring their own CDs into my car. Even the members of my family rarely outlast a song.

This has not, however, changed how often I listen to Beirut. There's a poignant beauty in the music that I could not imagine ignoring.

Sent by Megan | 8:59 PM | 6-21-2008

Thanks for this! Amazon was recommending the Sparks to me based on recent Bowie/T.Rex purchases and I'd never heard of them. Not sure I'm ready to buy yet, but I'll preview more.

Oh and Modest Mouse. I adore them, my friends either can't get into them or actively hate them. I'm guessing it's mostly due to Isaac Brock's challenging vocal delivery. That's half of what I love about them -- but for some reason I can't get past it with Joanna Newsom.

Sent by Sheila | 11:19 PM | 6-22-2008

My wife and I each like different "love 'em or hate 'em" bands. Me: Jethro Tull. Her: Erasure. Fortunately for me, Erasure put our far fewer than Tull's 21 studio albums (all of which I own, even the crappy ones).

Sent by Mike | 1:59 PM | 6-23-2008

I hope this comment is relevant enough... on the theme of "old music". Recently one of my favorite bands, Electrelane, announced their indefinite hiatus. Makes one sad to see it happen. So i hope this show could devote some time to the recently deceased bands from time to time, a sort of music obituary perhaps.

Sent by Jue Gu | 6:37 PM | 6-23-2008

I like, though I assume most anyone would hate, "Enantiodromia" by Azita. The backing band is made up of several notable Chicago musicians. The tricky part is Azita's vocals, which will sound very "off" to most listeners.

Artistic choice or just bad singing? Does the answer matter?

http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:3pfuxq8aldae~T00

Sent by Clark | 1:28 PM | 6-25-2008

Luckily my wife enjoys The Fall, but none of my friends will give Mark E Smith an honest try. Neither my friends or my wife understand my love for Yes. Nostalgic guilty pleasure: Chicago - when I was 5 yrs old my uncle used to play 25 or 6 to 4 for me on his reel-to-reel. His passion for music is with me still.

Sent by Ed | 3:51 PM | 6-25-2008

Sticking with Bob's rule of "no in between" I'd have to say Gary Numan. He was often accused of being a Bowie rip-off but that was just because of his appearance and vocal style. His music blends raw machine-like driving power with broad ethereal textures all the while with great melody...but I admit...most either agree with me or cringe when he is mentioned.

Sent by Den | 7:15 PM | 6-26-2008

It seems that Joanna Newsome is an artist I very much love but everyone I know hates. Everything I love about Joanna, her harp, lyrics, and of course her voice are the very reasons of hate for everyone else.

Sent by Michael Miller | 12:51 AM | 6-27-2008

I'd have to agree with previous posters' nominations of Joanna Newsome and Animal Collective. Only one friend has shared my enjoyment of Newsome. The rest hate her as if they have a personal grudge against her.

I believe The Boredoms and OOIOO also fall into this category. I've had friends ask me to make them copies of their cds, but I rarely ever play them around others so as to not put others in an uncomfortable position.

Sent by Peter Steele | 12:25 PM | 6-28-2008

I used to get so much grief from people forced by me to listen to Nina Hagen- the very best thing about giving up my car for public transit is that no one else can hear what I've got on the iPod...

Sent by alanna | 3:09 PM | 6-28-2008

I was just cruising through this list and I thought FOR SURE I had one not mentioned, but hark, there is one other Prefab Sprout fan that reads this blog- that makes two of us!

Prefab clears rooms, spurs condescending I-thought-you-had-good-taste-but-I-was-so-
wrong looks and I love them just the same.

Two things they aren't are noisy and weird, and fans of noisy and/ or weird bands (myself included) always console themselves by saying that the people walking away from the speakers can't take the noise/ weirdness.

I found people just don't like Prefab Sprout's music...my wife included (see above).

Sent by Matthew | 7:18 PM | 6-29-2008

Joanna Newsom. Mother Mother. Why?. TV on the Radio. Girl Talk. Animal Collective.

Hmmm that seems like a lot now that I type it out. Maybe I just need new friends?

Sent by Luke | 9:36 PM | 7-1-2008

Happy the Man. I saw them at a free concert at the Carter Baron in DC in the mid 70s. Wow!

I saw them a number of times, once i think at the Cellar Door. very good prog rock band and a great name.
bob

Sent by Tuan | 11:44 PM | 7-3-2008

For a while, I thought I'd got my ex-girlfriend to like Tom Waits, but it turned out she was only tolerating him, because I love his music.

I love Low, but not many people can put up with their slow, sad, minimalism.

But the one band I've never gotten anybody I am friends with to like or listen to or take seriously is the Bonzo Dog (Doo-Dah) Band. My ex-girlfriend HATED them. When I put them on, she'd hide in her office, eventually coming out, saying "is it over?" I heard of them on NPR, and love them.

Sent by Daniel J. Petrie | 1:39 AM | 7-4-2008

I second the vote for Deerhoof. They are such a perfect example of the case at hand. With jerky guitars and a shrill voice that just won't quit, they still incorporate a sense of melody that sends me through the roof. When I play it at work, it never goes unnoticed.

Sent by Nizzles | 10:33 AM | 7-9-2008

I should probably be embarrassed to admit that I like Junior Senior, but I do anyway. I guess it's just because it's so ridiculously happy. Anyway, I'd love to hear a Junior Senior song on All Songs!

Sent by Jeff | 6:03 PM | 7-9-2008

I agree Sparks reminds me a lot of Fiery Furnaces, a band I've really tried to learn to love to impress indie boys, but I just can't pretend to tolerate eany of it beyond Of Montreal's cover of Tropical Iceland I saw live and the weird version of "Nevers" from Bitter Tea. (It fits on my creepy creeps playlist.)

Sent by Bri | 6:13 PM | 7-11-2008

Tegan and Sara. People tell me that their voices are comparable to chainsaws. They've come to San Diego in concert several times, but I've never been, because I've never been able to convince someone to go with me.

Sent by Hannah | 4:44 PM | 7-15-2008

came upon this late, one band for me is the cranes. Many people can not get past Alison Shaw's voice, but i find it haunting and beautiful. Her voice combined with the instrumentation is evocative and wonderful

Sent by Mr Owl | 1:34 PM | 8-12-2008