Sparks – Kimono My House

Sparks – Kimono My House

Kimono My House is the landmark 1974 third studio album by Sparks, and the record that transformed Ron and Russell Mael's eccentric American rock duo into major stars of the British music scene. Released on Island Records in May 1974, it was the band's commercial breakthrough, reaching No. 4 on the UK Albums Chart and establishing the distinctive Sparks combination of theatrical glam rock, sharp art-pop songwriting, witty lyrics and flamboyant performance.

Following their relocation from Los Angeles to London in 1973, the Mael brothers assembled a new British backing band featuring Martin Gordon on bass, Adrian Fisher on guitar and Norman "Dinky" Diamond on drums. The resulting line-up gave Kimono My House a powerful, energetic sound, with Ron Mael's keyboards and Russell Mael's extraordinary high-register vocals at the centre. The album was produced by Muff Winwood, who would also produce the follow-up Propaganda later that same year.

The album opens with Sparks' signature breakthrough hit, “This Town Ain't Big Enough For Both Of Us”. Written by Ron Mael, the song became a huge UK success, reaching No. 2 on the singles chart, and remains one of the defining recordings of the 1970s glam and art-rock era. Its combination of dramatic piano, rock instrumentation, Russell Mael's distinctive vocal and surreal, rapid-fire lyrics immediately established Sparks as something entirely different from the conventional glam acts surrounding them.

The equally brilliant “Amateur Hour” followed as another major UK hit, reaching the Top 10, while deeper cuts such as “Falling In Love With Myself Again”, “Here In Heaven” and the five-minute “Thank God It's Not Christmas” demonstrate just how varied the album is. Side Two continues with the wonderfully theatrical “Hasta Mañana, Monsieur”, “Talent Is An Asset”, “Complaints”, “In My Family” and the expansive closing track “Equator”.

Part of the enduring appeal of Kimono My House is the way Sparks occupy a space between glam rock, progressive pop, art rock and avant-garde pop. The music is catchy enough to produce huge singles but strange enough to remain unmistakably their own. Ron Mael's dry, eccentric compositions and Russell's theatrical delivery created a template that would influence generations of alternative, art-pop and indie artists.

For collectors of Sparks vinyl, 1970s glam rock and classic Island Records releases, Kimono My House is an essential album. It captures Sparks at their commercial and creative breakthrough and sits at the heart of their celebrated 1974–75 period, alongside Propaganda and Indiscreet. The album was subsequently certified Gold in the UK, further underlining its importance in the band's catalogue.

Tracklist

Side A

1. This Town Ain't Big Enough For Both Of Us – 3:00
2. Amateur Hour – 3:24
3. Falling In Love With Myself Again – 2:59
4. Here In Heaven – 2:40
5. Thank God It's Not Christmas – 5:00

Side B

1. Hasta Mañana, Monsieur – 3:33
2. Talent Is An Asset – 3:14
3. Complaints – 2:45
4. In My Family – 3:11
5. Equator – 4:38