Gorillaz & Sparks

Gorillaz has announced new album "The Mountain" for release in March of next year.  The Damon Albarn/Jamie Hewlett project has been chugging along for almost 25 years now, and the upcoming album features guest appearances from IDLES, Johnny Marr, Yasiin Bey, and more, as well as posthumous appearances from Mark E. Smith, Bobby Womack, Tony Allen and more.  And to top it all off, first single "The Happy Dictator" features an assist from none other than Sparks.  Check that excellent track out below and pre-order the record here.

Sparks

Somehow i had no idea that we were getting a new album from Sparks this month.  I guess i really shouldn't have been surprised as the legendary Brothers Mael have been releasing albums steadily since 1972.  Over 50 years later, and they haven't lost a step.  New album "MAD!" is out now.  Listen to "A Little Bit of Light Banter" below and snag the LP here from Transgressive.

Daily Jam - Dancing Is Dangerous

The same year that Sparks released their excellent "No. 1 in Heaven" LP, they also produced the debut and solo full-length album from American disco and electro-pop singer Noel.  1979 was pretty much a banner year for the brothers Mael.  Listen to "Dancing Is Dangerous" below.

Daily Jam - Johnny Delusional

A few years ago, the Mael brothers of the legendary group Sparks teamed with Glasgow alt-rock band Franz Ferdinand for a collaborative project and album called "FFS."  Somehow, the whole thing managed to sound like the natural evolution of both bands.  Listen to "Johnny Delusional" below, our Daily Jam.

Daily Jam - When Do I Get to Sing "My Way"

I've liked Sparks for a long while, but until i watched "The Sparks Brothers" documentary earlier this year, i had no idea that they had been so prolific for going on 50 years now.  I had always just paid more attention to their stuff from the '70s.  Anyway, i've been trying to remedy that ever since, so here's a synth pop jam from the brothers from 1994's wonderfully titled "Gratuitous Sax & Senseless Violins."  Check out "When Do I Get to Sing 'My Way'" below, our Daily Jam.

Daily Jam - The Number One Song in Heaven

I haven't been able to watch Edgar Wright's Sparks documentary yet, but it is certainly on my to-do list.  For the time being, here's "The Number One Song in Heaven," our Daily Jam.

Daily Jam - This Town Ain't Big Enough for The Both of Us

Hey you!  You should listen to more Sparks.  Hell, i should listen to more Sparks, and i listen to a lot of Sparks.  Here's "This Town Ain't Big Enough for the Both of Us" to get you on the right track.  And it's our Daily Jam.

Daily Jam (Mike Patton Week) - Something for the Girl with Everything

In 1997, LA pop duo Sparks release their album "Plagiarism," a kind of tribute album to themselves, reworking many of their old songs.  And on two of those tracks, "This Town Ain't Big Enough for the Both of Us" and "Something for the Girl with Everything," they enlisted Faith No More to add a little oomph to the proceedings.  Both tracks slap, but today, we're focusing on the latter, and remembering that time my brother and i listened to it 100 times in a row driving to Louisiana for a wedding.  Check it out below, your Daily Jam.

Spelling

Spelling makes a kind of experimental, avant garde version of darkened R&B, layered with notes of darkwave synth pop textures and ambient soul, and her latest comes at us this Friday from Sacred Bones.  Listen to her cover of old Sparks jam "My Other Voice," and grab the "Hard to Please" 7" here.

Sonic Advent Calendar: Day 19 - Thank God It's Not Christmas

Sparks.  I love Sparks.  You should love Sparks.  Everyone should love Sparks.  Here's their glammy anti-Christmas jam from 74's "Kimono My House," the rambunctious "Thank God It's Not Christmas."  Hooray!

Fun Fun Fun Fest 8: Day 2 pics

Some Day 2 highlights were Antwon's raunchy set, everything about Quasi's set, finally seeing Television and Sparks, and the search for Coco.  Take a look at some pics below.

Daily Twinkie consumption count: 5.

Antwon

White Lung

Merchandise

Flatbush Zombies

Chromatics

Television

Quasi

Quasi

Sparks

Ice-T