ladyislingering
retired
Whether satirizing the music scene or not, Los Angeles natives Sparks (led by brothers Ron and Russell Mael) embarked on a new wave masterpiece in the midst of an all out synthpop explosion.
"Angst In My Pants" was born shortly after Sparks' 10th album, "Whomp That Sucker"; both albums were produced and engineered with the help of Reinhold Mack (or just "Mack") via Giorgio Moroder Enterprises. It was recorded at Musicland studios in Munich, Germany.
Carrying on with the previous line-up from "Whomp", Sparks' personnel for "Angst" was as follows:
Russell Mael (vocals), Ron Mael (keyboards, synthesizers), Les Bohem (bass), Bob Haag (guitar), David Kendrick (drums), and James Goodwin (additional synthesizers).
From the get-go the listener is met with a striking cover image (which was the brainchild of Ron) :
Younger brother Russell, to the right, with a whiter smile and wardrobe than ever; older brother Ron to his left hamming it up in a wedding dress. Already it becomes apparent that you're in for something especially bizarre.
The opening track is the title track; "Angst In My Pants". Filled with sneaky, clever lyrics, the song introduces you to a protagonist with quite a problem.
In case the title wasn't obvious enough to the purpose of the song already. According to the lyrics, the protagonist is out and about with a group of people, but he's not so crazy about it.
An ode to the dreaded male issue of the random erection, "Angst In My Pants" is sure to make even the most hardened man smile with pleasure.
"I Predict" was the only popular single from the album, reaching no. 60 on the Billboard charts in the States in May. With a disturbing music video allegedly directed by David Lynch, and snarky lyrics galore, surely anyone can see why I actually have the 12" single with extended version.
While treated to a striptease by Ron Mael, the song is an apparent ode to the buffoonery of the National Enquirer. In fact, the opening line is, "You're gonna take a walk in the rain, and you're gonna get wet. I predict."
Some of my favourite lines:
Ron's striptease act was actually used in a handful of performances of "I Predict" and usually executed in a slow, sassy manner while the band extended the song. However, it was not featured when they guested that year on popular American variety/comedy show "Saturday Night Live".
An obnoxious ode to the oversexed nature of musical acts of the era, "Sextown U.S.A." is a slightly uncomfortable (albeit funny) track. A tiny little peek at a less-than-coveted but difficult to find track:
At some point during the record, things become rather mellow, allowing for "Sherlock Holmes".
Bass and drum heavy, though soft as can be with swooping vocals (exhibiting the first time on the record the listener is treated to Russell's infamous falsetto) the track is still open to my personal speculation, as the lyrics are rather bland and the song is a bit of a "filler track".
In the art of never failing to poke fun at anything and everything, Ron wrote "Nicotina", an apparent stab at the hopelessly nicotine-addicted. "Nicotina" personifies the cigarette (ex.; once in a while a cigarette has a name).
Some of my favourite lines from the track:
Wrapping up side A of the record is the other song Sparks brought to Saturday Night Live, "Mickey Mouse". Here's the clip from said performance:
I haven't much to say about the song itself because it's so obnoxious, but Ron's expressions will put a sensible person in stitches. (Just like Russell's outfit is almost enough to cause seizures.)
Side B of the record will be discussed in the next post.
"Angst In My Pants" was born shortly after Sparks' 10th album, "Whomp That Sucker"; both albums were produced and engineered with the help of Reinhold Mack (or just "Mack") via Giorgio Moroder Enterprises. It was recorded at Musicland studios in Munich, Germany.
Carrying on with the previous line-up from "Whomp", Sparks' personnel for "Angst" was as follows:
Russell Mael (vocals), Ron Mael (keyboards, synthesizers), Les Bohem (bass), Bob Haag (guitar), David Kendrick (drums), and James Goodwin (additional synthesizers).
From the get-go the listener is met with a striking cover image (which was the brainchild of Ron) :
Younger brother Russell, to the right, with a whiter smile and wardrobe than ever; older brother Ron to his left hamming it up in a wedding dress. Already it becomes apparent that you're in for something especially bizarre.
The opening track is the title track; "Angst In My Pants". Filled with sneaky, clever lyrics, the song introduces you to a protagonist with quite a problem.
I hope it doesn't show. It'll go away.
In case the title wasn't obvious enough to the purpose of the song already. According to the lyrics, the protagonist is out and about with a group of people, but he's not so crazy about it.
But when you're all alone, and nothing bites, you wish you'd stayed at home, with someone nice.
An ode to the dreaded male issue of the random erection, "Angst In My Pants" is sure to make even the most hardened man smile with pleasure.
"I Predict" was the only popular single from the album, reaching no. 60 on the Billboard charts in the States in May. With a disturbing music video allegedly directed by David Lynch, and snarky lyrics galore, surely anyone can see why I actually have the 12" single with extended version.
While treated to a striptease by Ron Mael, the song is an apparent ode to the buffoonery of the National Enquirer. In fact, the opening line is, "You're gonna take a walk in the rain, and you're gonna get wet. I predict."
Some of my favourite lines:
Lassie will prove that Elvis and her had a fleeting affair, I predict.
And somebody's gonna die, but I can't reveal who.
Cold beer and pretzels takes care of cancer.
Ron's striptease act was actually used in a handful of performances of "I Predict" and usually executed in a slow, sassy manner while the band extended the song. However, it was not featured when they guested that year on popular American variety/comedy show "Saturday Night Live".
An obnoxious ode to the oversexed nature of musical acts of the era, "Sextown U.S.A." is a slightly uncomfortable (albeit funny) track. A tiny little peek at a less-than-coveted but difficult to find track:
If you ever come here and you try to abstain, they'll send you to the prison for the criminally insane.
At some point during the record, things become rather mellow, allowing for "Sherlock Holmes".
Bass and drum heavy, though soft as can be with swooping vocals (exhibiting the first time on the record the listener is treated to Russell's infamous falsetto) the track is still open to my personal speculation, as the lyrics are rather bland and the song is a bit of a "filler track".
In the art of never failing to poke fun at anything and everything, Ron wrote "Nicotina", an apparent stab at the hopelessly nicotine-addicted. "Nicotina" personifies the cigarette (ex.; once in a while a cigarette has a name).
Some of my favourite lines from the track:
She had a tiny voice, but she sang all day. She was a cigarette, but she loved to play.
A man with a cough stepped to the machine,
dropped coins in a slot,
the end of a dream.
He ripped the pack and then coughed, and then coughed again.
Wrapping up side A of the record is the other song Sparks brought to Saturday Night Live, "Mickey Mouse". Here's the clip from said performance:
I haven't much to say about the song itself because it's so obnoxious, but Ron's expressions will put a sensible person in stitches. (Just like Russell's outfit is almost enough to cause seizures.)
Side B of the record will be discussed in the next post.
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