“I like extreme music”: Sparks’ Ron Mael picks his six favourite records
Sparks have become so heavily ingrained in culture that it’s almost unexpected when someone claims to be unfamiliar. Initially inspired by originators like Elvis Presley before establishing their own flavour of music, Sparks duo Ron Mael and Russell Mael have claimed a unique position somewhere between cultish fame and mainstream appeal, cementing themselves as a cultural touch point forever.
Although they formed in 1971, the Sparks brothers grew up alongside the crucial sounds of traditional rock ‘n’ roll, starting with Presley, who signified both musical excellence and creative freedom, even if it was just an illusion. Growing up in the 1950s in California meant that Mael experienced the Presley explosion firsthand and aspired to achieve the same one day like many other music lovers.
According to Mael, Presley’s appeal was that he epitomised “everything that pop music should be,” from his rebellious attitude and authentic demeanour to his catchy melodies, artistic vision, and sex appeal. Even though Sparks eventually adopted their own brand of intrigue, one constant has always stemmed from those crucial early days: watching Presley perform with such captivating, energetic vigour.
However, as the years went by and Sparks established their own movement, Mael remained attracted to music with unfiltered raw energy but gravitated towards the more experimental acts or the ones that deliberately defied the status quo to revolutionise their respective spaces. Sharing a handful of his favourite albums with Express, most of Mael’s choices were ones that broke the mould while maintaining mainstream appeal.
One that might seem particularly surprising among the rest is Kanye West’s Yeezus, though this only seems strange in hindsight. When the album was released in 2013, West possessed such immense cultural importance that it was difficult even for outsiders not to be drawn into his impact. Moreover, Mael enjoyed the record because, in his words, he gravitates to “extreme music,” which Yeezus very much adhered to.
Venturing back into more familiar territory, Mael also shared his appreciation for The Velvet Underground’s White Light/White Heat, specifically ‘Sister Ray’, which he said was “17½ minutes of bliss.” Considering the intentional unsettling thread that haunts the song from start to finish, it would be easy to guess why Mael loves this particular song, with all suspicions confirmed by his additional description: “A lack of bass adds to the irritation factor, which is a good thing. I don’t listen to music to be soothed.”
Though the rest seem relatively in keeping with Mael’s musical creativity and affinity for music that challenges convention, like The Goldberg Variations 1955, Cowabunga! The Surf Box, and The Hot Spot soundtrack, one that appears a little more inside of the ordinary is Franz Ferdinand’s Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action. Mael’s reasons for enjoying something like The Surf Box over The Beach Boys stems from his love for nostalgia, but appreciating Ferdinand seems more connected to his love for modern indie rock.
As he explained: “The first hit, ‘Take Me Out’, was special and I’ve followed them ever since. They’ve been going for a decade so it’s hard to do an album that sounds fresh. I respond to pop songs done in an aggressive way from time to time.”
Ron Mael’s favourite albums:
- Yeezus – Kanye West
- White Light/White Heat – The Velvet Underground
- The Goldberg Variations 1955 – Glenn Gould
- Cowabunga! The Surf Box – Various
- Original Motion Picture Soundtrack: The Hot Spot
- Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action – Franz Ferdinand
