Halfneson (1972) Biology 2 - LOST 70s GEMS

Sparks, the famous 70s art rock band that featured a member with a full on Hitler moustache started out named Halfnelson with a self titled debut album released in 72. It is quite an astonishing album packed full of tight pop and quirky vocal, guitar and keyboard arrangements; with it's animated and European vocals, 50s pastiche, sturdy rock n roll, fanciful pop all in a haywire and uptight style it feels like the first fully formed New Wave work. It's uncanny and no wonder they were so popular during New Wave's heyday in the late 70s as they practically started it off four years before it emerged as a full genre. Of course there is more Prog influence and reliance on rock guitar than in alter NW bands but it sure is a milestone. Wonder Girl illustrates their jacked up bops and very aristocratic sounding RP lead vocalist Russell Mael with a stunted stop start melody with idiosyncratic almost French phrasing. Biology 2 carries a Talking Heads feel with sped up creepily sung falsetto while the guitar and keyboards play odd melody line to a tune about the bonding of DNA; it basically sounds like the Chipmunks meets the Big Bang Theory! There is an element of them taking the latter Beatles experimentation to new dimensions with a mix of reverbed sounds other memorable tune is High C with it's slight Prog organ and hard rock dynamics with it's highlight being the 'wahoo hoo' doowop part reminds of some cartoon with it's chirpy exuberance The album is filled head to tails with circular instrumental lines and very zany motifs not to mention Russell Mael's theatrical deliveries to make this a fresh Glam Rock work.