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.
20Albums on Vinyles.com
3617Discogs releases
624kLast.fm listeners

About

Sparks, Innovative art-pop from the Mael brothers since 1970.

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
#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
#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

Go further

Artists similar to Sparks

Artists who share part of Sparks's musical DNA.

Collectors

For vinyl die-hards

The hidden side of the catalogue: rare pressings, sought-after matrices, Discogs values.

Market values (source: Discogs)

For each reference edition, these cards summarise the state of the global Discogs market. Market position places the average price of a copy between the observed min and max prices. Average price is the price seen for a mint-condition copy. Copies available counts listings currently for sale. Collectors who want it is the number of Discogs users who added it to their wantlist without owning it — a good signal of upcoming demand.

Mad!
Master release · LP · 2025
Market position i
31,24 €
Min price 15 €Max price 39 €
Average price 31,24 €
Only 91 copies for sale on Discogs
49 collectors want it (Discogs wantlist)
Annette (Selections From The Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Master release · LP · 2021
Market position i
10,43 €
Min price 9 €Max price 12 €
Average price 10,43 €
Only 124 copies for sale on Discogs
38 collectors want it (Discogs wantlist)
A Steady Drip, Drip, Drip
Master release · LP · 2020
Market position i
22,23 €
Min price 19 €Max price 33 €
Average price 22,23 €
Only 163 copies for sale on Discogs
200 collectors want it (Discogs wantlist)
Hippopotamus
Master release · LP · 2017
Market position i
52,08 €
Min price 16 €Max price 88 €
Average price 52,08 €
Only 38 copies for sale on Discogs
320 collectors want it (Discogs wantlist)
Exotic Creatures Of The Deep
Master release · LP · 2008
Market position i
46,98 €
Min price 17 €Max price 77 €
Average price 46,98 €
Only 84 copies for sale on Discogs
81 collectors want it (Discogs wantlist)
Hello Young Lovers
Master release · LP · 2006
Market position i
38,28 €
Min price 30 €Max price 174 €
Average price 38,28 €
Only 22 copies for sale on Discogs
83 collectors want it (Discogs wantlist)

Notable pressings & editions

Album Edition Country · Year Matrix Market tensionValue
Mad!LP, Album, Limited Edition
Transgressive Records Worldwide · 2025 TRANS850XS 🔥 Standard edition
49 want · 570 have · ratio 0,1
32,48 €
Mad!LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, White Label, Stereo
Transgressive Records 2025 TRANS850XW Original pressing
49 want · 570 have · ratio 0,1
30,00 €
Annette (Selections From The Motion Picture Soundtrack)LP, Album, Special Edition
Milan Europe · 2021 19439881911 🔥 Standard edition
38 want · 256 have · ratio 0,1
11,59 €
Annette (Selections From The Motion Picture Soundtrack)LP, Album
Milan Europe · 2021 19439881911 Original pressing
38 want · 256 have · ratio 0,1
10,43 €
A Steady Drip, Drip, DripLP, 45 RPM, Album
BMG Europe · 2020 538600810 🔥 Standard edition
200 want · 985 have · ratio 0,2
19,45 €
A Steady Drip, Drip, DripLP, 45 RPM
BMG Europe · 2020 538603240 Original pressing
200 want · 985 have · ratio 0,2
21,46 €
HippopotamusLP, Album
BMG Europe · 2017 538279760 🔥 Standard edition
320 want · 1 787 have · ratio 0,2
16,00 €
HippopotamusLP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label
BMG UK · 2017 538279760 Original pressing
320 want · 1 787 have · ratio 0,2

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

FAQ

FAQ: Sparks on physical formats

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.

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