HIPPOPOTAMUS

SPARKS have been releasing albums since the early seventies, and I believe they are up to 25 studio albums with the most recent coming in 2023. The band consists of two brothers from LA who play music in the style of 10CC and the like. Lots of humour and wit while the music is very catchy and poppy. It's a little ironic that I remembered while writing my last review, that I used to compare adventerous music to that home made meat and potatoes supper my mom used to make, while commercial music is more like eating at McDonalds. So step right up and get your Big Mac, or hippopotamus in this case. Yes, you will get sick of this quickly, but man is it good.

Fifteen tracks over 55 plus minutes, and it's very much a vocal/piano/beat recording. Not much else. Beyond catchy at times. I mean you can't help but move some part of your body during this album. And funny! The sophistication may not be so much in the instrumental music and arrangements, as it is in the lyrics and the delivery of them. Another 2017 release, as I clearly went bonkers that year in my purchases. And many a SPARKS fan rates "Hippopotamus" right there with their two 1974 classics "Kimono My House" and "Propoganda". And do these guys not have the best album covers?

I'm not sure about that opening number with the fragile vocals and sparse sounds. Like an intro to what is coming I suppose. But man, the next five tracks kill. "Missionary Position", "Edith Piaf(Said It Better Than Me)", "Scandanavian Design", Giddy Giddy" and "What The Hell Is It This Time?" Haha. I don't even know what to say about these five tunes. I even find "Edith Piaf(Said It Better Than me)" to be moving at times, and the chorus is so good. "Giddy Giddy" might be the ultimate novelty track. So funny! Some vocal gymnastics from the boys.

I thought of Gary Numan during "What The Hell Is It This time?". Some depth to this one as well as having these determined vocals. We then get a couple of good songs in "Unaware" and the title track. Not on the level of the five before them, but really good. "Bummer" is great as we get this uptempo tune with a down-tuned chorus(haha). "It's a... what a... bummer!" A lot of lalalalalas on the next one called "I wish You Were Fun" which is another highlight for me. Track 11 with the long title is so catchy, my head can't stop nodding.

Guest accordion on "When You're A French Director". The music sways. "The Amazing Mr. Repeat" is the last really good song in my opinion. "A Little Bit Like Fun" could have been a 10CC track. This is such an entertaining album. I just can't help myself with this one. Yes I'm going through that drive thru once again.

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