Sparks (1977) Those Mysteries - LOST 70s GEMS

The 1977 Introducing Sparks release was a disappointment for many, but for me it is one of their more exciting efforts with plenty of diverse melodies. A Big Surprise is a cracking glam Pop tune along the lines of Slade and Wizzard's rousing 50s soaked big band productions, while Occupation is even more startling with it's revved up guitar tensions shifting form wild fuzz guitars, flanged tones and ticker electric piano notes to the stacks of the same type of sped up, vacuum packed, high harmonies of Sweet, Styx, Queen and 10cc. Girls on the Brain is a stomping blues tune with a uncharacteristically gritty deep vocal from Russell Mael, while Forever Young is a Springsteen type of anthem reminiscent of the later U2 hit of the same name, possibly an inspiration.

Of course lyrics are key to Sparks' music, or rather the spark to their songs to their as often the highwire vocals and bashing guitars and pianos get tiresome in their over construction. I'm Not is a strong mix of sentiment and statement, while the Goofing Off is another where the music and the words are entwined as a restless but elegant Greek piano line carries Russell's vocal from drained to strained and back. Wonderfully the tempo notably slows right down for the verse lyrics concerning the daily grind before the upbeat chorus about the 48 hours of free time picks up into a violin strewn ha vela before ending in a Russian march; it's a diverse track of multiple European folk styles and timeless treatise on working hours and the lack of enjoyment, slowly feeling like a cog in a machine.

Those Mysteries a classic chorus laced track features the most pertinent questions known to man and is another example of their ability to write intriguing everyday philosophies into a big theatrical pop arrangements. Just check out my favourite verse below;

And why are there nuns?
And why do they pray?
And where do we go when we pass away?
And why, when I ask my Dad does he say
- Go ask your Mom or just go away?
And OK, I'll go away
But they won't go away

Those Mysteries features theatrical monologues in a Dylanesque vocal to a steady drum beat as was often in so many of 70s soft rock balladry; also not to mention the swirling backing vocals would be criminal. Over the Summer is a Beach Boys California Girls' styled rave up, with the same plodding piano based beat and Barbershop backing vocals and nice lyrics, the sparkling tambourine is the subtle touch that makes it more than a Beach Boys pastiche. Meanwhile the lyrics concern the transformation of a 'plain Jane' over the summer into a 'different girl much better', it's another cinematic tune with a story of a girl becoming more mature over the summer break, similar to the end of Grease, which was released in..1977..hmm