With a genre-defining career spanning 50-plus years, Sparks have declared that a normal live album will not do - so of course this one’s claimed to have been made on the moon. ‘Live On The Moon’ is brother Ron and Russell Mael’s first live record, and whether or not you dig this trip to outer space, there is no doubt that this is the exact absurd, wacky and wonderful production you’d expect from a band that has been totally unique since 1972.
Starting strong, and fitting as ever, with ‘So May We Start’, Sparks hold the audience in the palm of their hand with their 2021 single. They settle the audience in for a set of wonderful, meaningful and overall outrageous music. The setlist blends both newer and older material. The newer material is where the emotional core of the concert is found. The songs from recent albums paint a melancholic picture of an authoritarian America, buckling under consumerism and polarising politics. However, if you didn't listen to the lyrics, you wouldn't have realised it; with hooks so catchy and a sound that could only belong to them, Sparks’s recognisable sound is present and correct. Paired with thoughtful lyrics and viewed from a wiser perspective.
The deep cuts unexpectedly are where some of the stronger pieces lie.‘Goofing Off’ arrives with an unexpected polka undertone that doesn't sound too dissimilar from traditional Jewish or Eastern European-sounding music. The vocals and overall sound are consistently strong and remain a punch in the gut to those in the audience. This song is a reminder that Sparks have never and will never stop redefining their sound. ‘Beat The Clock’ is played with the same gusto as it must have done back in 1979, which says as much about the studio recording as it does about the band’s forever pristine vocals and sound. Finally, no Sparks show would be complete without the anthem that is ‘This Town Ain’t Big Enough For The Both Of Us’, which remains a stand out, innovative and outrageous piece of music every time.
What is most striking about 'Live On The Moon' when listening to it is just how clean it sounds. For a live album, the polished nature of the band playing, only to be broken by crowds cheering, is close to studio level. Both the vocals and the instrumentation both come through crystal clear; it captures every nuance without losing a drop of energy. This is not only a testament to the sound engineers but also to Russell and Ron themselves, who have seemed to age only physically over the years, as their vocals and playing take you back to 1974. The fact that this far into Sparks’ existence, their voices, musicianship and creative flair show no sign of dulling. This album only goes to show how much ground they have left to cover.
'Live On The Moon' isn’t just a victorious moment in the band’s history. It’s proof that nostalgia is not a theme at all; they remain sharp, strange and lyrically essential as ever.
Mia Samson
Image:‘Live On The Moon’ Official Album Cover