Kimono My House is the third album by Sparks. The album was released in May 1974.
History
In 1973, prior to the recording of the album the brothers Ron and Russell Mael had accepted an offer to relocate to England. The previous lineup consisting of Earle Mankey, Jim Mankey and Harley Feinstein were replaced with English musicians. Martin Gordon, Adrian Fisher and Norman "Dinky" Diamond were hired to play Bass, Guitar and Drums respectively. The group signed a record contract with Island Records and recorded Kimono My House in 1974. The Mael brothers had wanted Roy Wood to produce the album but he was unavailable. Muff Winwood was hired as producer. Winwood remained with the group to produce the follow-up album Propaganda later in 1974.
Sound
Musically, Kimono My House represented a shift in sound and a focusing of Ron Mael's song-writing (now the indisputable lead songwriter). Sparks two albums with the Mankey brothers had been diverse albums that featured a number of different styles, such as the warped cover of Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Do-Re-Mi", "Here Comes Bob" which was performed by a small string section and "The Louvre" which mixed English and French lyrics.
The new album embraced the catchier side of the Mael brothers song-writing which was evident in songs such as "Wonder Girl" and "High C". Now, backed by the new English line-up and boosted by Muff Winwood's simpler production the songs were more focused. The album slotted in with the current popularity Glam Rock music, which was dominating the charts and especially the more experimental and electronic sound of Roxy Music and David Bowie. Lyrically, the songs remained as unusual and humorous. The great number of words filled with pop-culture references, puns, and peculiar sexual content sung often in a Falsetto by Russell Mael marked Sparks apart from other groups.
The particularity of their sound which matched pop song-writing with complex lyrics defined the group to the UK audience. This was all aided and exaggerated by the physical presence of the group. While the new members of the group were essentially ordinary musicians, Ron and Russell milked their peculiar image. Ron's Toothbrush Moustache, unglamorous clothes and usually silent demeanour sat in diametrical different to his younger brothers' long curly hair, and energetic and flamboyant stage manner. Taken together the sound and look of the group caused a sensation producing what seemed to the mass audience an 'overnight success'. However, the group were often written-off as a novelty act or a one-hit-wonder.
The album title is generally assumed to be a pun on the Rosemary Clooney hit Come on-a My House. Perhaps coincidentally, "Kimono My House" is the title of Episode 19 of the '60s TV comedy That Girl.
Release
Kimono My House became a popular release reaching #4 on the UK Albums Chart.[1] The single has been a surprise hit "This Town Ain't Big Enough for Both of Us" made #2 in the UK Singles Chart.[1] It was held off the top spot by The Rubettes bubblegum pop song "Sugar Baby Love" which remained at #1 for four weeks. Sparks' second Island-era single "Amateur Hour" reached the top ten in the UK later that summer.
Outside of the UK Kimono My House and its singles made a significant impact across Europe notably in Germany where both singles reached #12. In the US, the album reached #101 on the Billboard 200.[2] The groups two Bearsville albums had garnered critical praise but few sales, the only significant chart performance had been "Wonder Girl" which was minor regional hit and had crept into the lower reaches of the Cashbox chart at #92.
Kurt Cobain named Kimono My House as one of his favourite albums of all time.[1]
There is a British race horse which takes its name from the album (b. 2004 - d. 2008).
Re-release
Kimono My House was re-issued and remastered by Island in 1994 and 2006. The first issue by the Island Masters subsidiary added the b-sides "Barbecutie" and "Lost and Found". The '21st Century Edition' added a live recording of "Amateur Hour" recorded by the 1975 line-up of the group and sleeve notes by Paul Lester, the Deputy Editor of Uncut magazine.
Track listing
- All tracks written by Ron Mael except where noted.
| 6. |
"Hasta Mañana, Monsieur" (Written by Russell Mael and Ron Mael) |
3:52 |
| 7. |
"Talent Is An Asset" |
3:21 |
| 8. |
"Complaints" |
2:50 |
| 9. |
"In My Family" (Written by Russell Mael and Ron Mael) |
3:48 |
| 10. |
"Equator" |
4:42 |
21st Century Edition
| 1. |
"This Town Ain't Big Enough for Both of Us" |
3:05 |
| 2. |
"Amateur Hour" |
3:37 |
| 3. |
"Falling In Love With Myself Again" |
3:03 |
| 4. |
"Here In Heaven" |
3:47 |
| 5. |
"Thank God It's Not Christmas" |
5:07 |
| 6. |
"Hasta Mañana, Monsieur" (Written by Russell Mael and Ron Mael) |
3:52 |
| 7. |
"Talent Is An Asset" |
3:21 |
| 8. |
"Complaints" |
2:50 |
| 9. |
"In My Family" (Written by Russell Mael and Ron Mael) |
3:47 |
| 10. |
"Equator" |
4:42 |
| 11. |
"Barbecutie" |
3:07 |
| 12. |
"Lost and Found" |
3:19 |
| 13. |
"Amateur Hour (live at Fairfield Halls 09/11/1975)" |
4:44 |
Personnel
Other credits
- Recording engineers - Richard Digby-Smith, Tony Platt
- Mixdown engineer - Bill Price
- Art Direction - Nicholas de Ville
- Cover concept - Ron Mael, Nicholas de Ville
- Photography - Karl Stoeker
- Artwork - Bob Bowkett, CCS
External links
References
