The Visual Splendor of Sparks

Do a search for “Sparks” on YouTube and you’ll find a plethora of links to Jordin Sparks, the winner of American Idol‘s sixth season.

But if you click on a few of the other videos, you’ll be in for a wonderful surprise.

If you’ve never heard of Sparks or listened to them, be forewarned: they aren’t for everyone. They’re only for those who like to be attacked by incredibly catchy, subversive, and witty pop music. You’ll likely hate them in the beginning, but that’s just a ploy to scare away those who aren’t ready for them yet. If you listen to a Sparks song three times, you’ll either transform into a fan or you won’t get it.

Sparks Big Beat (1976)

To focus only on their music is to give short shrift to their visual element, however. For years, I only knew what they looked like because of the popular MTV hit “Cool Places,” a ridiculously engaging duet with Jane Wiedlin of The Go-Go’s.

But thanks to YouTube, that has changed. Russell Mael’s “Aw gee whiz” innocence in interviews belies a bizarrely compelling sexuality. And Ron Mael, who will forever be known as “the one with the Hitler moustache,” is a master of droll, snappy repartee and undeniable charm.

What follows is a sample of how Sparks prove they are visual geniuses as well as sonic. I’ve chosen to highlight earlier performances, not because they are superior, but because it will better prepare you for the slew of YouTube live clips from their most recent tours. Once you see these, you can then gape more profoundly at how Russell’s incredible, multi-octave voice and Ron’s magic fingers are still amazing after all these years.

Here are ten examples of the visual glory of the Mael brothers.

“I’m all wet.”

1. “Change” on TV AM (1985)
Ron Mael is a genius. His joke about “mid-Atlantic” sails right over Julie Brown’s head, he’s completely self-assured and annoyed while he picks at Russell, and he wears striped tube socks with a suit. And the “video” is hilarious, complete with Julie Brown’s audible giggling. And you know she’s thinking, “How long are they going to keep this up?” With Thomas Dolby on the couch next to her.

“When salmon spawn. . . ”

2. “Get In The Swing” on Supersonic (1975)
If I’d been a Bay City Rollers fan in that audience, I would have switched to the Sparks Team immediately following this audacious display. Having read about Russell’s “hot pants or tennis shorts” controversy in the liner notes of the Profile box set did not adequately prepare me for actually seeing them. And say what you will about Ron’s creepy leering; his mugging around the 2:15 mark is, dare I say it, ridiculously cute.

“A built in seat that makes you look effete”

3. “Looks Looks Looks” on Supersonic (1975)
More bad fashion choices from Russell; is that a Parisian Night Suit? Having a horn section in the background and Ron on grand piano is how this song should always be performed. Plus balloons. I dream of a world in which the Mael brothers have a touring cabaret act.

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