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Rating: A few sentences with meaning about this album? Well, easier said than done, but let's see if I can: well, let's start by saying that "Indiscreet" is without a doubt a peak in the Sparks' production; peak of what, though? Everyone chooses as they like based on their own attitudes and predispositions, but the fact that it's a peak, or LEGEND if you prefer, is not in question at all. Love it, hate it, do as you please, "Indiscreet" is made to provoke strong reactions. The rock structure of "Kimono My House," already partially dismantled with "Propaganda," here is hit full-on by a wrecking ball covered in glittering sequins; the debris remains, scattered here and there in the gardens of the golden era Versailles. One of the most kitschy and rascally albums ever, at an extreme level even for Ron and Russell's standards. Everyone draws their conclusions; I find it absolutely irresistible. If I ever end up on the proverbial deserted island, I would surely find a spot for it in my vanity case, as it could come in handy in the most disparate ways.
After all, they remain the Sparks of the two previous albums, jovial, satirical, infallible tune makers, but this time they rely on an arsenal of orchestrations, harpsichords, jingles, and choruses, a hyper-concentrated and "neoclassical" pomp-pop blasted in the listener's face. The Mael brothers warmly welcome you with "Hospitality On Parade", then a pounding one after another, "Get In The Swing", "Under The Table With Her" (terrible), "Pineapple", "It Ain't 1918" (even more terrible), "Looks Looks Looks" (bonus track but no less terrible than the previous ones, oh, by the way, terrible is meant as terrific, not terrible). The reactions provoked by this vulgar display of power, because it still is a matter of power, can be the most varied, from “what is this garbage” to ecstatic squeals indistinctly defined, passing by a classic “dafuq am I listening” which will probably be the most common. In fact, "Indiscreet" is like a tray full of marzipan fruits, beautifully colored, turgid, heavy, and sugary; if this kind of approach is liked and maybe, as in my case, you have a very, very generous sense of measure, the mouth-watering sensation is already something fabulous in itself.
And then there are those moments when Ron and Russell re-propose that glitzy rock that had made their fortune, we have an arena anthem with all the trimmings, "Happy Hunting Ground", and above all, a brilliant proto-punk hysterical mess like "In The Future", then "The Lady Is Lingering" and "How Are You Getting Home" classic Sparks anthems, and that's perfectly fine. With "T'ts" you arrive, drinking as if there were no tomorrow, at a dialectical synthesis between the various souls of the album, and the melodramatic bonus track "Miss The Start, Miss The End" splendidly concludes the show. And not only that, with "Indiscreet" the most luminous years in the history of the Sparks also close; an album that left many fans of the time unhappy, and although I adore it, I have no difficulty understanding it; compared to its times this album was... was? How was it? Ahead, behind, above, below the table, I honestly have no idea. So, take my 5 for what it is, we are faced with something almost at the limits of the circus, and as such it should be enjoyed. Besides, one cannot say it hasn't left a mark, in things like this or so you can clearly perceive the malefic influence of "Indiscreet", which is another reason to love it.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
03 Without Using Hands ()
The canopy over the main doorway of the Ritz hotel
Had served as a very large umbrella when the May rains fell
Still the men of Paris glistened and their ladies did as well
As long as their powder was dry there'd be some heterosexual thrills
With or without the protection of the Paris Ritz hotel
And every single Parisian will love tonight without using hands
And these are the slides that Mary took when we were overseas
Oh, look at the funny little Frenchman with some French company
There's the Ritz hotel where me and Mary Stayed a couple of days
Jerry, let go of your sister, what is wrong with you today
Sit over there with your mother and let's sing La Marseillaise
The only way children are punished, unlike old times is without using hands
Oh, what a lovely city, city, city, city
Oh, what a lovely city, city, city, city
Oh, what a lovely city, city, city, city
Oh, what a lovely city, city, city, city
Oh, are you willing to go
Oh, are you willing to go
How about letting me know, without using hands
When the explosion rocked the lobby of the Ritz hotel
Nobody moved for fear of learning that they weren't all that well
Is there is anybody missing, answer only if you're well
Everyone cheered the good fortune, for indeed it turned out well
Only the manager suffered, but at least his face looks swell
The manager is going to live his entire life Without using hands
Without using hands, etc.
04 Get in the Swing ()
(Ron Mael)
Get in the swing, pal
Get in the swing
With everybody and everything
(repeat)
My friends are here
Mind if you go out and not come back again
Well, thanks a lot
Hooray, hooray
The night is younger than the girl who's got the touch
But not by much
Well, I ain't no Freud, I'm from L.A.
But I know certain things
That they also serve who sit and wait
They're cheaper than painting
And don't need explaining
(Chorus)
When Salmon spawn
A ton of water blocks their motion,
Spoils their game
But on they go
Thrashing 'til their mission is fulfilled or else
Oh, but they have their friends
And have a warm bed waiting
Just like I do with you
I'm happy, so happy, I'm happy, oh happy
(Chorus)
All for one, one for all
(Chorus)
Hello down there
This is your creator with a questionaire
Hello up there
I don't have the time to fill out questionaires
05 Under the Table With Her ()
(Ron Mael)
Nobody miss diminutive offspring
Not when there's big wigs there, there
Dinner for twelve is now dinner for ten
'Cause I'm under the table with her
I give a yelp and they throw me a cutlet
Somebody pats her hair, hair
Everyone's nice to the subhuman species
I'm under the table with her
People all around the world are having only rice and tea
Two of them should come and take the place of Loura Lee and me
(repeat)
08 Tits ()
(Ron Mael)
Harry, it's good of you to stay
Hear every word I say
And not just duck away
God, these drinks are something warm and watered down
Barkeep, how 'bout some ice
Hey, Harry sit back down
Say, that little thing there's fine from behind
They all look good after three or four,
So drink Harry, drink Harry,
Drink 'til you can't see no more
of anything, no more of anything
Drink Harry, drink Harry, drink 'til you can't see no more
For months, for years,
Tits were once a source of fun and games at home
And now she says, tits are only there to feed our little Joe
So that he'll grow
Harry, it's really rough at home
I've caught her on the phone
Hey, who's that on the phone?
Oh, that's no one dear,
The standard sort of line
Harry, you know me well,
You know that I'm not blind
Hey, you ain't been drinking
Don't you know I'm buying?
They all taste good after three or four
So drink Harry, drink Harry, drink 'til you can't drink no more
of anything, no more of anything
Drink Harry, drink 'til you can't drink no more
How well I know
Tits were only there for fun and games at home
And now she says, tits are only there to feed our little Joe
So that he'll grow
God, the room is spinning round
Hey, drive me home old pal
God, you sure get around
Harry, I know it's you who's breaking up my home
Harry, don't say a word, just drop me off at home
Harry, forgive me Harry, let's have just one more
It's all so good after three or four
It's all so good after three or four
It's all so good after three or four
So let's drink Harry, drink 'til we can't drink no more
of anything, no more of anything
Drink Harry, drink Harry, drink 'til we can't drink no more
How well I know
Tits were once a source of fun and games at home
And now she says, tits are only there to feed our little Joe
So that he'll grow into a man
So let's drink Harry, drink 'til we can't see no more, etc
09 It Ain't 1918 ()
(Ron Mael)
Johnny was a soldier with the Allies
Johnny was a soldier all the way
Johnny was a soldier with a fun side
Johnny liked to laugh a lot each day
Johhny met a girl who was a beauty
Johnny never thought to live in sin
"Do you take this girl?"
"Yes I take this girl"
Johnny had a next of kin
They were happy as they were
So everything around would change
But they would never, ever change
It ain't 1918 except for these two-it ain't 1918...
Everybody in Missouri knows them
Everybody there has seen their car
Everybody seen their Stanley Steamer
Everybody knows It's Johnny's car
Wave as you see Johhny drive to market
Watch a bit of past go steaming by
Johnny and his bride
Johnny and his car
without a change of any kind
And they were happy as they were
Everything around had changed
But they had never, ever changed
It ain't 1918 except for there two-it ain't 1918...
Many people in St. Lou are wealthy
A lady by the name of Miller is
Wouldn't it be nice to help out Johnny
Kinda play a real life Santa Klaus
She and many other St-Lou people
Bought ol Johnny quite a fancy car
And a modern home
Threw away his comb
Bought his wife a Paris scarf
Johnny thanked the St. Lou folk
But told them in a voice so sad
That he would rather stay as is
The people of St. Lou were mad, and they said
It ain't 1918 for us or for you
If we can't enjoy it...
Then neither will you
11 In the Future ()
(Ron Mael)
It's winter, it's raining
You're tired, she's fainting
You're bitter, she's brooding
But don't be disenchanted
'Causs you can barley stand it
The sweep and the grandeur
The scope and the laughter
The future, the future
The future's got it covered
With what will be discovered
In the future fun is fun
In the future, lots of sun
I'll be there, it's up to you
You'll be there if you don't do nothing foolish
You'll love it, I know it
I know what you like and
You'll love it, I know it
We'll need some vintage vino
So wash you feet and stamp away
Coming soon and everywhere
Everyone will walk on air
Now it seems so far away
But each day it's getting closer and closer
Convenience and pleasure
All blended together
And culture, and madness
You think you've seen it all
You've seen it all exept the future
12 Looks, Looks, Looks ()
Looks, looks, looks
You had sense, you had style, you had cash galore
Looks, looks, looks
You employed her and dressed her in formal fashion
Still you bore her because you ain't got a nose that's straight
A set of perfect teeth
You got a built-in seat, that makes you look effete
You know that looks, looks, looks are why you rely on books
Looks, looks, looks
From the eye to the brains just one inch or two
Looks, looks, looks
From the eye to the heart's only slightly farther
The smart grow smarter, but still can't compete
And they know deep down that they are scarred for life
And that a face can launch a thousand hips
It's gonna be all right
If it ain't, don't blame me, it's your looks
At night she masquerades her passion covered by a veil of calm
Say, put on your shoes
Say, put on your shoes
No use one look at her and anyone can tell that she's on fire
Spot her error
Spot her error
Spot her error
Well, now she's all over you
Looks, looks, looks
No, it's not very hard to make history
Looks, looks, looks
Just some cavalry and a good uniform that fits in places
Where everyone tends to look and marvel
At the way you lead them on and
Look and marvel at the way you win because of
Looks, looks, looks
As long as you're long on looks
Spot her error
Spot her error
Spot her error
Well, now she's all over you
Looks, looks, looks
Far away, close at hand, it's the only thing
Looks, looks, looks
On the seas in the sand
Any place is laced with those who have it
And those who can only look
Look, look, look ....
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