Sparks

You'd think after nearly four decades in pop Sparks would start slowing down but no. Just two years after 2006's Hello Young Lovers, the brothers Mael are back at it and, in many ways, picking up right where they left off. Like the group's other post-millennium output, record number 21, Exotic Creatures of the Deep, finds Sparks' Ron and Russell Mael digging into a choice selection of electro pop operettas, littering them with staccato piano, humming electronics and synthesized orchestrations. And of course, front and centre are tales as clever and idiosyncratic as ever, with Russell's glam-tinted voice taking on subjects ranging from forgetful lotharios ("Good Morning") to road-hogging monkeys ("Let the Monkey Drive") to men failing to be as deep as Moz ("Lighten Up, Morrissey"). It's all very playful and it's all very Sparks, offering up some bigger highlights than other recent outings and only occasionally a track that sinks rather than swims. More importantly, Exotic Creatures of the Deep once again proves Sparks know their way around a pop record, making this another proud addition to their already impressive back catalogue.