Album Review: Hippopotamus, Sparks

Sparks were always one of the more interesting bands to emerge in the early ’70s. Intelligent and wry, they presented brilliantly arranged pop songs that put them streets ahead of most of their contemporaries. Russell, the good-looking, slightly effeminate foil to Ron’s sinister Hitler-with-a-perm look, made them as visually arresting as they were musically seductive.

Never ones to rest on their laurels, a constant need to evolve their brand of songwriting classicism sees them – on Hippopotamus – borrowing liberally from Weill, Gershwin, show-tunes and musicals to create a sonic stew uniquely their own. ‘Giddy Giddy’ wouldn’t sound out of place on the Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory soundtrack, sung by a troupe of Oompah Loompahs. Speaking of Oompahs, there is a distinct Oom-pah-pah-oom-pah-pah lurch to ‘When You’re A French Director’. Reminiscent of a tune from Cabaret, it highlights the all-American Maels proclivity for European influences.

The title track makes the absurd statement, “There’s a hippopotamus in my pool”, before asking “How did it get there?”. Sounds like a third world problem, until the narrator goes on to complain about the Hieronymous Bosch painting also residing in the pool. True story? Perhaps.

With further song titles like ‘Scandinavian Design’, ‘Life With the Macbeths’ and my favourite, ‘So Tell Me Mrs Lincoln Aside From That How Was The Play?’, we’re not in for standard fare. Sparks’ lop-sided world view constantly surprises and delights, while their quirky, wide-ranging form of Baroque’N’Roll continues to exceed its own grasp, resulting in a never-dull listening experience.

7/10
Out Now.