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Sparks – Kimono My House (1974)
That year, I turned 14. After mostly listening to singles and compilation LPs, this was the first full album I bought, and I still love it today. It marked my transition from “Rob the Top 40 listener” to “Rob the music freak.” Real songs—exciting, sometimes quite punchy, yet still poppy.
The unique appearance of brothers Ron and Russell Mael added an extra dimension. I discovered Sparks through the single “This Town Ain’t Big Enough for Both of Us,” likely via the TV show Toppop. It’s the opening track on Kimono My House, and I still think it’s a fantastic song. The second track, “Amateur Hour,” also became an immediate favorite.
While I don’t remember all the songs in detail, I played the LP a lot—since I didn’t have much music yet. Songs like “Hasta Mañana, Monsieur” and “Talent Is an Asset” still stand out for me, while “Equator” felt a bit odd at the time.
Later that year, Sparks released Propaganda. While it didn’t have the same impact on me, I still enjoy “Never Turn Your Back on Mother Earth” and “Something for the Girl With Everything.”
After that, I lost track of Sparks.
Pop-rock bands like Sparks and Sweet—especially their “Fox on the Run”—opened the door to the hard rock of Deep Purple, Uriah Heep, Led Zeppelin, and Black Sabbath.
That was the turning point, and my passion for music only grew deeper and more diverse.