Sparks - Hello Young Lovers

Genre rock Publisher In the Red External Links Official Website In the Red

Hello Young Lovers is composed of highly operatic, ridiculous lyrics driven by a landscape of musical styles that are so bipolar and dynamic that its mind-numbing. Between the album's length, obnoxious lyrics, and constantly changing rhythms it is sure give you a headache if you listen to it in its entirety - although it certainly is fun to listen a few tracks at a time. The latest album by Sparks opens with "Dick Around" which is so reminiscent of "Bohemian Rhapsody" that you might fall under the impression that Sparks has become a Queen tribute band. "Dick Around" begins with a chant and gamut run of, "Every day, every day, every night, every night, every night...and I will make a lot of bread, and you will find me good in bed, I will push, I will pull, I will push, I will pull" over strings and the pounding of a bass drum. The song quickly transforms into a jazzy, upbeat piano melody, while a ridiculous electric guitar cuts through the soundscape and begins shredding. After three more minutes of cuts between strings, piano, and guitar shredding, a full-blown finale ensues and the song timidly comes to an end.

"Perfume" follows with a catchy bass line and equally catchy distorted rhythm guitar. A piano melody is added to the mix while Russell lists off various women and their perfume preferences. "(Baby Baby) Can I Invade Your Country?" is a clever critique of current events with a romantic twist. "Here Kitty" features a sampling of a cat's meow that's mixed in with acapella styled vocals. The vocals are very similar to a few tracks off of the videogame, Katamari Damacy - which is just as mind-numbing as this music. The album ends with "As I Sit To Play The Organ At Notre Dame Cathedral" which is reminiscent of "Dick Around," but never as catchy or clever.

The majority of Hello Young Lovers is interesting, complex, and fresh. It is exciting to see this kind of content from two brothers who have spent their lives producing music. The album clearly demonstrates their knack for writing outlandish lyrics and producing over the top music to accompany it.