Maybe it’s a bit much to post twice about Sparks in a matter of days, but I just got Hello, Young Lovers (released in 2006) on vinyl yesterday.

It could be something that has to grow on me a bit more. I like it, quite a bit actually. It’s much more orchestral than even 2008’s Exotic Creatures of the Deep. These guys should really do a musical. I’m not sure how they haven’t by now. They should be doing scores and operas and tons of fun things like that.

Even though it’s more orchestral, there’s also more of a four-piece band feel to it too. Lots of guitar too, which is almost place, but somehow perfectly fitting.

The album’s strongest song, “Dick Around,” was also released as a single (in England). It’s a freaky little opera that has pretty much made my day. It’s a six and a half minute roller coaster through the thought process of dealing with a break up. “Why the hell did she desert you when you were so influential?” Why the hell?

Another track of fun is “Metaphor” that lyrically supports my own theory: “Chicks dig, dig, d-i-g, dig, dig metaphors.” That’s true, of course. We must thank them for their advice, “Use them wisely, Use them well, And you’ll never know the hell of loneliness.” So, fellas, if you were wondering why the girls pay very little attention to you, you might want to consider the metaphor in all its glory. Don’t mix them!

A lot of songs are fairly obvious. “Waterproof,” for example, is about he is waterproof and that barometric pressure has no relevance to him. “There’s No Such Thing As Aliens” is pretty much about that. It offers little background, though does challenge you to look out your windows and doors every night because there’s no such thing as aliens.

Musically, each song has a bunch of different parts. I like that a lot. You really don’t know where it’ll go next. And if you’re not listening carefully, you’ll think you’ve just heard six or seven songs, but really, it’s just two. That’s pretty fun, you know?

Usually, I’d post a couple of songs, but I couldn’t let the video for “Dick Around” exist without me posting it. The single version is a lot shorter than the album version, but the video is more than worth it.

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They must have been on a cat kick for this album, as evidenced by “Here Kitty,” a song about a fireman who rescues cats to win the love of women. Chicks dig metaphors, yes, but they clearly dig having their kitties rescued as well. It’s a swinging, almost do-wop piece.

Sure, there are some songs that didn’t do it for me (“Perfume,” for example). “Rock Rock Rock” had a weird Pet Shop Boys feel to it, which normally I’d really like and I’m quite surprised that I didn’t.

My copy of this album is on pink vinyl, which is super fun. But it has some defects from the pressing plant. There are a few chunks of grit embedded in the vinyl. I was able to remove one on Side Two, but Side One still has something in it and it skips. Sad, really.

So, not a perfect album (especially in my case, I guess), but something that must be heard. Not perfect, but damn close.

How about some “Waterproof,” which just might be the best Queen song that Queen never got around to writing.

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“Metaphor”?

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And why not “Dick Around” in its full glory?

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Happy now? You should be.
Sparks