Li’l Beethoven By Sparks

Introduction

Yes, this is an album review, although the digital deluxe version of this has three more songs than the beautifully packaged book CD that I originally bought. It is an album that I play quite often but is not a rock album and is more like some classical or musical-based format. This sees a move into a more classical-influenced sound, with a heavy reliance on repetitive lyrics and piano lines, synthesized orchestration and multi-tracked vocals in place of percussion.

All songs were written by Ron and Russell Mael. They are all available on Youtube or you can buy the album through the link at the end of this article. I will include a few of my favourites.

Every song is an incredible vignette that you cannot dance to or sing along to which might not sound like an ideal album to listen to, but it takes you on an incredible sonic journey.

Think of “This Town Ain’t Big Enough For Both of Us” being a jumping-off point, this album is a classic case of expecting the unexpected.

Lil' Beethoven is their 19th album, released on November 26, 2002. It was a radical musical departure compared to their previous works. They only used strings, piano, and voices but no drums. The result was both classical and pop music.

The album was received to critical acclaim in the UK and the US.

This is what was said about it on its release:

“A Masterpiece of Pop Art” - Independent

“A Self Contained Masterpiece” - Record Collector

“It's What The World’s Been Waiting For” - Mojo

“One of the most extraordinary albums of the year” - Telegraph

“Uniquely Brilliant Sparks” - Q

“Gilbert and Sullivan on Qualuudes” - Muzik

So here are the twelve songs that make up the deluxe version of this amazing album.

1. "The Rhythm Thief" 5:18

This opening song is an overall introduction to the band's new direction by declaring "say goodbye to the beat"

2. "How Do I Get To Carnegie Hall?" 3:50

The road to success is apparently to practice on your Steinway. “Practice Man Practice”

3. "What Are All These Bands So Angry About?" 3:32

More questioning angry music, this would have broadly been very relevant in 1977 but still stands up as a fine song today.

4. "I Married Myself" 4:59

A song of amusing self-love with Russell marrying himself.

5. "Ride 'Em Cowboy" 4:20

Just a bit obvious, this title.

6. "My Baby's Taking Me Home" 4:42

This largely consists of the title repeated over 100 times with no other words being used, other than a spoken interlude

7. "Your Call's Very Important To Us. Please Hold." 4:11

This uses a corporation style call-hold message: "Your call is very important to us. Please hold" which is then sung with some additional words: "At first she said your call is very important to us, then she said please, please hold." The only other lyrics in the song are "Red light", "Green light", "I'm Getting Mixed Signals" and "Sorry, I'm Going To Have To Put You Back On Hold". These elements are layered with a simple piano line to create a highly textured effect.

8. "Ugly Guys With Beautiful Girls" 7:06

This is an aural assault repeating the the title over seven minutes leading into the finale of the original album.

9. "Suburban Homeboy" 2:58

This was the final track on the original release and was released as a single but it didn’t chart, but is still an amazing piece of music.

These next three songs were added to create the deluxe version of “Li’l Beethoven”

10. "The Legend Of Lil' Beethoven" 2:06

Over a sombre piano the story of Li’l Beethoven is now revealed in a spoken monolgue.

11. "Wunderbar (Concerto In Koch Minor)" 3:54

This is a germanic march (sung in German) and both funny and strident.

12. "The Rhythm Thief (Instrumental Version)" 5:24

The deluxe version closes with an instrumental take on the album's opener, but is five minutes of stunning music.

Concluding Li’l Beethoven

It is unlikely you will hear another album like this but I suggest you get yourself a copy and your musical tastebuds will be stimulated like never before.