Artist page · 04/07/2026

Sparks

Los AngelesFormed in 1970Alternatif20 vinyl albums
Sparks, formed in Los Angeles in 1970 by brothers Ron and Russell Mael, blend art rock with new wave and synth-pop influences. The duo's diverse discography spans decades, highlighted by inventive songwriting and eclectic production.
Explore the discography The 3 must-haves
20Albums on Vinyles.com
3617Discogs releases
624kLast.fm listeners

About

Over 20 studio albums mixing new wave, glam, synth-pop; original LPs and limited editions tracked.

Sparks emerged from the California music scene in 1970, spearheaded by Ron and Russell Mael. The band evolved from an initial lineup called Halfnelson to a pioneering duo known for baroque pop, glam rock, and electronic dance experiments. Their 70s breakthrough came in London with landmark albums such as "Kimono My House" (1974) and "Propaganda" (1974), produced by notable figures like Muff Winwood and Tony Visconti. The collaboration with Giorgio Moroder in 1979 introduced a disco-inspired synth-pop phase, notable in "No. 1 In Heaven" and "Terminal Jive" (1980).

Over the years, Sparks blended rock, pop, and orchestral elements with experimental approaches. Their catalog features over 20 albums, including recent releases like "A Steady Drip, Drip, Drip" (2020) and "Mad!" (2025).

Discography

Sparks discography

Studio albums, EPs and notable live records, from newest to oldest. Drag the timeline to browse.

Mad!Transgressive Records · 2025
2025
Mad!
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
The Girl Is Crying In Her LatteIsland Records · 2023
2023
The Girl Is Crying In Her Latte
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
Annette (Selections From The Motion Picture Soundtrack)Milan · 2021
2021
Annette (Selections From The Motion Picture Soundtrack)
CD, Album, Stereo
Studio
A Steady Drip, Drip, DripBMG · 2020
2020
A Steady Drip, Drip, Drip
Vinyl, LP, 45 RPM, Album
Studio
HippopotamusBMG · 2017
2017
Hippopotamus
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
Two Hands One Mouth (Live In Europe)Lil' Beethoven Records · 2013
2013
Two Hands One Mouth (Live In Europe)
CD, Album
Live
The Seduction Of Ingmar BergmanLil' Beethoven Records · 2009
2009
The Seduction Of Ingmar Bergman
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
Exotic Creatures Of The DeepLil' Beethoven Records · 2008
2008
Exotic Creatures Of The Deep
CD, Album
Studio
Hello Young LoversGut Records · 2006
2006
Hello Young Lovers
CD, Album
Studio
Lil' BeethovenLil' Beethoven Records · 2002
2002
Lil' Beethoven
CD, Album, Limited Edition, Stereo
Studio
BallsStrange Ways Records · 2000
2000
Balls
CD, Album
Studio
PlagiarismVirgin · 1997
1997
Plagiarism
CD, Album, Stereo
Studio
Gratuitous Sax & Senseless ViolinsLogic Records · 1994
1994
Gratuitous Sax & Senseless Violins
CD, Album
Studio
Interior DesignFine Art · 1988
1988
Interior Design
CD, Album
Studio
Music That You Can Dance ToMCA Records · 1986
1986
Music That You Can Dance To
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
Pulling Rabbits Out Of A HatAtlantic · 1984
1984
Pulling Rabbits Out Of A Hat
Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo
Studio
In Outer SpaceAtlantic · 1983
1983
In Outer Space
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
Angst In My PantsAtlantic · 1982
1982
Angst In My Pants
Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo
Studio
Whomp That SuckerRCA · 1981
1981
Whomp That Sucker
Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo
Studio
Terminal JiveVirgin · 1980
1980
Terminal Jive
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
No. 1 In HeavenVirgin · 1979
1979
No. 1 In Heaven
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
Introducing SparksColumbia · 1977
1977
Introducing Sparks
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
Big BeatColumbia · 1976
1976
Big Beat
Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo
Studio
IndiscreetIsland Records · 1975
1975
Indiscreet
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
PropagandaIsland Records · 1974
1974
Propaganda
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
Kimono My HouseIsland Records · 1974
1974
Kimono My House
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
A Woofer In Tweeter's ClothingBearsville · 1972
1972
A Woofer In Tweeter's Clothing
Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo
Studio
Studio album Live / EP

Playlist

Signature tracks

The tracks that sum up Sparks's career.

01
This Town Ain't Big Enough for Both of Us
·
02
Amateur Hour
·
03
Angst in My Pants
·
04
This Town Ain't Big Enough For The Both Of Us
·
05
Falling in Love with Myself Again
·
06
Here in Heaven
·
07
Thank God It's Not Christmas
·
08
The Number One Song in Heaven
·

The essentials

The 3 Sparks albums you absolutely need

Our pick, validated by the editorial team.

#1 · 1974
LP, Album
Kimono My House - 50th Anniversary

The breakthrough London-era album with hits and production by Muff Winwood; foundational for Sparks’ new wave identity.

10 tracksProduced by Muff WinwoodIsland Records1974 original
Discover the album
#2 · 1979
LP, Album
No 1 In Heaven

Collaboration with Giorgio Moroder marking Sparks’ dive into disco-infused synth-pop; influential and commercially successful.

10 tracksProduced by Giorgio MoroderVirgin Records1979 original
Discover the album
#3 · 2025
LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered
Mad!

Latest studio album with pop rock style, available in limited white label vinyl; multiple pressing options in 2025.

12 tracksLimited editionTransgressive RecordsNumbered pressing
Discover the album

Go further

Artists similar to Sparks

Artists who share part of Sparks's musical DNA.

XTC
Roxy Music
Roxy Music
Devo
Devo
Lene Lovich
Klaus Nomi
Klaus Nomi
Japan
Bryan Ferry
Bryan Ferry
Squeeze

Face B

Side B: the hidden stories of Sparks

Studio secrets, touring anecdotes and B-sides worth the whole album.

Our music is a constant experiment in blending genres and theatricality.
— Ron Mael
01Studio

Kimono My House produced by Muff Winwood

Recorded in London in 1974, this album marked Sparks’ commercial breakthrough with hits like "This Town Ain't Big Enough For The Both Of Us" produced by Muff Winwood under Island Records.

1974London
02Producer

Giorgio Moroder's influence on No. 1 In Heaven

In 1979, producer Giorgio Moroder worked closely with Ron and Russell Mael to craft a disco and electronic sound that defined the album "No 1 In Heaven", released on Virgin Records.

1979Los Angeles
03Vinyl Pressing

Mad! Limited Edition White Label Pressing

The 2025 album "Mad!" by Sparks has a numbered white label limited edition pressing on Transgressive Records with high demand among collectors.

2025Worldwide
04Early Years

Halfnelson debut produced by Todd Rundgren

Before becoming Sparks, the band released their first album titled "Halfnelson" in 1971 with production by Todd Rundgren, capturing their early art rock ambitions.

1971Los Angeles

Records by Sparks

See all
The Girl Is Crying In Her Latte - Front Cover

The Girl Is Crying In Her Latte

Sparks
International Retro Pop Pop
UNIVERSAL MUSIC
From $25.99 3 offers
BIG BEAT - Front Cover BIG BEAT - Front Cover

BIG BEAT

Sparks
International Rock Rock
DEMONSTRATE
From $37.16 2 offers
INDISCREET - Front Cover INDISCREET - Front Cover

INDISCREET

Sparks
International Rock Rock
DEMONSTRATE
From $39.90 1 offer
MADDER! / EP 10 INCHES - Front Cover

MADDER! / EP 10 INCHES

Sparks
International Pop Pop
TRAN
View details
Mad - Front Cover

Mad

Sparks
International Pop Pop
TRANSGRESSIVE
From $45.99 1 offer
Propaganda - Front Cover

Propaganda

Sparks
International Pop Pop
DEMON
View details
Kimono My House - 50th Anniversary - Front Cover

Kimono My House - 50th Anniversary

Sparks
French Variety Variety
DEMON
View details
The Seduction of Ingmar Bergman - Front Cover

The Seduction of Ingmar Bergman

Sparks
Indie rock Alternative
BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT
From $54.99 1 offer
Exotic Creatures of the Deep - Front Cover

Exotic Creatures of the Deep

Sparks
International Retro Pop Pop
BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT
From $54.99 1 offer
Hello Young Lovers - Front Cover

Hello Young Lovers

Sparks
International Retro Pop Pop
BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT
From $54.99 1 offer
Lil' Beethoven - Front Cover

Lil' Beethoven

Sparks
International Retro Pop Pop
BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT
From $40.63 1 offer
Balls - Front Cover

Balls

Sparks
International Retro Pop Pop
BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT
From $32.76 1 offer
A Steady Drip, Drip, Drip - Front Cover

A Steady Drip, Drip, Drip

Sparks
International Retro Pop Pop
BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT
From $54.99 1 offer
Gratuitous Sax & Senseless Violins - Front Cover

Gratuitous Sax & Senseless Violins

Sparks
International Retro Pop Pop
BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT
From $42.49 3 offers
Hippopotamus - Front Cover

Hippopotamus

Sparks
Indie rock Alternative
BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT
From $37.67 2 offers
The Girl Is Crying In Her Latte - Front Cover

The Girl Is Crying In Her Latte

Sparks
International Retro Pop Pop
UNIVERSAL MUSIC
From $26.99 3 offers
Annette (Cannes Edition - Selections from the Motion Picture Soundtrack) - Front Cover

Annette (Cannes Edition - Selections from the Motion Picture Soundtrack)

Sparks
Film Music Soundtracks (Films, series, games, etc.)
Milan
From $24.56 1 offer
NO 1 IN HEAVEN - Front Cover

NO 1 IN HEAVEN

Sparks
International Retro Pop Pop
LIL BEETHOVEN
View details
Whomp that sucker - Front Cover

Whomp that sucker

Sparks
International Pop Pop
REPERTOIRE
View details
Streched - Front Cover

Streched

Sparks
International Pop Pop
REPERTOIRE
From $40.86 1 offer
In outer space - Front Cover

In outer space

Sparks
International Pop Pop
REPERTOIRE
From $23.48 1 offer
No.1 in heaven - Front Cover

No.1 in heaven

Sparks
International Pop Pop
REPERTOIRE
View details
Terminal jive - Front Cover

Terminal jive

Sparks
International Pop Pop
REPERTOIRE
View details
Angst in my pants - Front Cover

Angst in my pants

Sparks
International Pop Pop
REPERTOIRE
View details

Recommended accessories

To protect, store and clean your records.

All accessories

FAQ

FAQ

The most common questions about pressings, reissues and limited editions.

What year was Sparks formed?

Sparks was formed in 1970 in Los Angeles by brothers Ron and Russell Mael.

Which genre best describes Sparks?

Sparks' music spans art rock, new wave, glam rock, synth-pop, and electronic dance.

What are some key eras in Sparks’ discography?

Key eras include the 70s London new wave rise, late 70s disco-electronic collaboration with Giorgio Moroder, and 2000s art pop resurgence.

Which Sparks albums are essential on vinyl?

Essential vinyl albums include "Kimono My House" (1974), "No 1 In Heaven" (1979), and "Mad!" (2025) among others.

Are there special vinyl pressings of Sparks albums?

Yes, collectors can find limited edition, numbered, and white label pressings, notably for "Mad!" (2025) and others.

Where were the landmark albums "Kimono My House" and "No 1 In Heaven" recorded?

"Kimono My House" was recorded in London, while "No 1 In Heaven" was produced in Los Angeles.

How does Sparks influence contemporary music?

Sparks is cited as an inspiration by many new wave and electro-pop artists thanks to their genre-blending and innovative sound.

Where can I find Sparks vinyl records for French listeners?

Sparks vinyl is available in French stores with releases from labels like Disco-bertus France and Demon Records with European pressings.

Transparency

Sources & method

This page is compiled by the vinyles.com editorial team from public sources and our marketplace.

  • WP
    Wikipedia
    Encyclopaedic data and biography
    ↗
  • MB
    MusicBrainz
    Artist metadata, dates, type
    ↗
  • DG
    Discogs
    Discography, pressings and market prices
    ↗
  • LF
    Last.fm
    Listeners, plays, similar artists
    ↗
  • VC
    Vinyles.com
    In-house catalog, prices and availability
    ↗

Our method

  1. Discographic data from MusicBrainz (dates, countries, activity period).
  2. Tracklists, artwork and genres retrieved via Discogs Masters.
  3. Values (low / median / high) and stock from the Discogs Marketplace.
  4. Audience and similar artists via Last.fm.
  5. Page updated automatically and reviewed by the editorial team.
Last updated: 04/07/2026