Crazy For You

Artpop’s fraternal Odd Couple deliver further proof of genius. By Simon Price

- Simon Price

A thought experiment. Imagine what would happen if a brand-new band fell to earth in 2025 who were identical musically, lyrically and aesthetically to Sparks, and the same in every respect except the age of its members (Russell Mael, 76, and Ron Mael, 79). The critical community would immediately spiral into an almighty meltdown. The magazine front covers spinning towards the camera, Citizen Kane-style, would only have two fresh young faces on them, and one of those faces would be sporting a Charlie Chaplin moustache. The mountains of praise shovelled upon this thrillingly unorthodox new act would lead to a global superlative shortage, the music industry would need to annex Greenland to mine enough gold for the awards the group would reap, and you could not build a venue capacious enough to accommodate the audience who would be curious to find out what the fuss is all about.

In the real 2025 that we inhabit, Sparks are 'just' Sparks, and MAD! is 'just another' Sparks album. (Anything between their 24th and their 28th, depending on whether you count various collaborations, soundtracks, self-cover projects and radio plays). The phrase 'taken for granted' leaps readily to mind.

Things could be far worse, of course. Until relatively recently, before Edgar Wright’s 2021 documentary primer The Sparks Brothers brought the genius of Ron and Russell to a wider audience than ever before, Sparks fans were scarce enough that if you encountered one in the wild you had a friend for life. Since that film, pretty much everyone you meet has a basic awareness of, and respect for, the Maels. (When does Russell get to sing 'My Way'? Now.) Sparks albums routinely hit the Top 10, and MAD! can expect the same. Justifiably so. Print out Sparks' discography, throw a dart at it, and there's a 9/10 chance it'll be as good as the album you hit. Which is, of course, high praise indeed.