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AmericanProgster View Drop Down
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Points: 228 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: Sparks (US Prog Related/Cross-Over?)
    Posted: February 27 2010 at 15:42
Sparks have been discussed here many times in the past, but I don't think they were ever evaluated.
 
All of their albums between 1970-1977, as well as 2004-Present would best be described as Art Rock (I know this website doesn't use that term anymore, but its the best phrase for them) or maybe even what some people around here like to call progressive pop. Either way I think those albums more than speak for themselves.
 
So take it from here peoples!
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lucas View Drop Down
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Points: 8138 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 27 2010 at 15:48
Yes, it's indeed "art"-rock for me. I found them as arty as Pavlov's dog, Roxy Music and Supertramp, here in PA.

Russell Mael has to be one of the rare vocalists who could easily compete with Freddie Mercury, regarding the vocal range. 
"Magma was the very first gothic rock band" (Didier Lockwood)
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AmericanProgster View Drop Down
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Points: 228 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 27 2010 at 15:54

Speaking of Freddie, did you know he once said that Sparks were a huge influence on him and Queen? I mean if that's not enough for at least prog related, I don't know what is!
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Raff View Drop Down
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Points: 24391 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 27 2010 at 16:01
I have posted a link to this thread in the Xover team thread, and believe Sparks have already been added to their evaluation chart. Now you'll just have to wait and seeWink!
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lucas View Drop Down
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Points: 8138 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 27 2010 at 16:02
Originally posted by AmericanProgster AmericanProgster wrote:

Speaking of Freddie, did you know he once said that Sparks were a huge influence on him and Queen? I mean if that's not enough for at least prog related, I don't know what is!


The first time I heard Sparks, I knew there was something prog-related (I only know 'kimono my house' and 'propaganda'). I also heard that their more recent work sounds somewhat "proggy".

I didn't know they influenced Queen, but I suspect this influence can be clearly heard on songs like 'bicycle race'
"Magma was the very first gothic rock band" (Didier Lockwood)
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Icarium View Drop Down
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Points: 34050 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 27 2010 at 16:03
i have no Sparks albums but have heard some songs and saw them on a episode of Gilmour Girls but yeah they are awsome and funn and they also have some similaritys to 10cc as well. great pomp art-rock.
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AmericanProgster View Drop Down
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Points: 228 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 27 2010 at 16:05

Thanks Raff!
https://dawnapproach.bandcamp.com/

https://soundcloud.com/dawn-approach
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clarke2001 View Drop Down
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Points: 4160 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 27 2010 at 17:45
That's funny, I just 'proposed' them to Crossover, half-jokingly, a few days ago.

My honest opinion about Sparks: I don't know. Sometimes they sound like an unique and intelligent pop rock. Sometimes I feel they're pure prog rock. They're certainly very arty.

They went synth-pop in the 80's, but that's the fact that could be easily dismissed when evaluating a band with 4 decades of musical career.

Have you heard 'This town ain't big enough', the version re-recorded in the 90's? It's pure madness with symphonic orchestra (in fact, it was my mystery song for 10 years, caught on radio).
Percussion, sir!
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AmericanProgster View Drop Down
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Points: 228 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: March 02 2010 at 00:29

^That's exactly the way I feel about them. Which is why its taken me this long just to create this thread.

P.S. Yes I have heard the 90s version and its very good, btw it was recorded with Faith No More as their backing band if you can believe it! And since 2004 or so, one of Faith No More's former guitarist (I think he was with them very briefly during the mid-late 90s and up until they disbanded) has been Sparks guitarist.


Edited by AmericanProgster - March 02 2010 at 00:32
https://dawnapproach.bandcamp.com/

https://soundcloud.com/dawn-approach
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