Search - Sparks :: Balls

For Australian fans

Dario Western | Brisbane, QLD AUSTRALIA | 10/26/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"After 1998's "Plagiarism", Sparks decided not to rest on their laurels, but rather soldier on with a return to form for wiseass dance pop.

"Balls" is an archetypal Sparks album which tips its hat to an eclectic array of artists such as The Prodigy ("Balls"), Enya ("Scherzande"), even Roy Orbison ("The Angels", which is probably the only time you'll ever hear foul language on a Sparks track, fact fans!).

This album was released on Festival Records in Australia during a time when 80's bands were starting to come alive again, and Sparks first tour 'down under'. It was a dream come true for me to meet my childhood idols in the flesh, especially with the mad stunts they performed like levitating a doll called 'Baby Leroy' and Ron hypnotising the audience. The bonus CD features a rewrite of their 1994 song "Now That I Own The BBC" to be pertinent to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation with the news bugle call and some tasty backing vocals from their gorgeous drummer Tamara Glover. Although the album might not be quite up there with the likes of "Kimono My House", or "No.1 In Heaven", it is still good listening and showed that the Mael's still had the balls in them."