Discography Deep Dive

Welcome to season two of Discography Deep Dive. For this series Lillian "Lilz" Martin (Jukebox Zeroes) will be guiding us through the timeline of the highly influential art-pop duo of brothers Ron and Russell Mael, better known as Sparks.

In our sixth and final chapter in this arc, we reach the '10s and '20s, featuring stripped down tours, forays into the cinema, collaborations with young guns, and most importantly: a return to the quirky, eccentric blend of artsy rock music that made them glam darlings back in the 70s.

Sources Include The Following:

AllSparks.com - http://allsparks.com/
Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sparks_(band)

Songs Used In This Episode:

"I'm Toast" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owGPg8nVQ8k
"Two Hands, One Mouth" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5A_Gk8ENP4
"Good Morning (Live)" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eltSGbHrCT4
"The Final Derriere" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YQw6KLJGf8
"Johnny Delusional" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ac3qj-E4K4M
"Collaborations Don't Work" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGAwp5syXyE
"Piss Off" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3V4KfeJBCQ
"Hippopotamus" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_j2CJN8rmBE
"Edith Piaf (Said It Better Than Me)" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5jtqCo43WM
"What The Hell Is It This Time?" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oC0rzv1j8Zc
"Self-Effacing" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkEAhNJC-zE
"Sainthood Is Not In Your Future" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YL0q6RH-F5g
"Please Don't Fuck Up My World" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Givls9BUhc
"Number One Song In Heaven" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7QAuZeozFo

Welcome to season two of Discography Deep Dive. For this series Lillian "Lilz" Martin (Jukebox Zeroes) will be guiding us through the timeline of the highly influential art-pop duo of brothers Ron and Russell Mael, better known as Sparks.

In our fifth chapter we join Sparks coming off another creative rut, only to throw all semblances of contemporary pop out the window and emerge with one of the most acclaimed works of their career. We also touch upon new experiments in old sounds, an incredibly prolific concert series, and newfound success in the oft unheard of radio musical.

Sources Include The Following:

AllSparks.com - http://allsparks.com/
Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sparks_(band)

Songs Used In This Episode:

"I Married Myself" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-ONRt9ER6Y
"Wunderbar (Concerto In Koch Minor)" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=324ZCCxfxd8
"The Rhythm Thief" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgGMU3puNJE
"Your Call's Very Important To Us, Please Hold" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xK9ylfHktqw
"How Do I Get To Carnegie Hall?" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DU6Ia8pkhMk
"This Town Ain't Big Enough For The Both Of Us (Justin Hawkins Version)" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZX5r78caUcE
"Dick Around" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VgakpSoHEiE
"Metaphor" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPCZRlh6G_g
"Perfume" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0hSxdQHJ_s
"Good Morning" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Vd2upDDmwk
"Lighten Up Morrissey" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwIrFTo495E
"I Can't Believe That You Would Fall For All The Crap In This Song" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nm8R1DAYFYs
"Mr. Bergman, How Are You" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sofH9bOyCj4
"Limo Driver (Welcome To Hollywood)" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzK_ga_gJ0Q
"The Studio Commissary" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNmwrzmti4E

Welcome to season two of Discography Deep Dive. For this series Lillian "Lilz" Martin (Jukebox Zeroes) will be guiding us through the timeline of the highly influential art-pop duo of brothers Ron and Russell Mael, better known as Sparks.

For our fourth chapter we join Sparks' turbulent journey through the latter half of the 1980s, only to emerge creatively invigorated, and experiencing critical and commercial success via the dance clubs once again. We'll also touch upon some brief forays into the film industry, a strange variety of tribute record, and prelude to one of the most important works of their career.

Sources Include The Following:

AllSparks.com - http://allsparks.com/
Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sparks_(band)

Songs Used In This Episode:

"When Do I Get To Sing My Way?" - https://youtu.be/Fh9fP4PBYR4
"With All My Might" - https://youtu.be/ISAakl_PGN4
"Pretending To Be Drunk" - https://youtu.be/O3CA5S09KvM
"Music That You Can Dance To" - https://youtu.be/7OygMu9SS68
"Fingertips" - https://youtu.be/pPboAdbsDAk
"Change" - https://youtu.be/1aqwsF0z73c
"Madonna" - https://youtu.be/IvoJB5Y8880
"So Important" - https://youtu.be/q-U8Fvm1f5Y
"Just Got Back From Heaven" - https://youtu.be/Dt4zBv9EDE8
"Singing In The Shower" - https://youtu.be/D-I_O3PNweE
"National Crime Awareness Week" - https://youtu.be/6Iz53uzlNls
"Tsui Hark" - https://youtu.be/-mbBTKCpj-8
"When I Kiss You (I Hear Charlie Parker Playing)" - https://youtu.be/pKFiOCKhLfg
"This Town Ain't Big Enough For The Both Of Us (Plagiarism Version with Faith No More)" - https://youtu.be/_34IS79hxDQ
"The Number One Song In Heaven (Plagiarism Version with Jimmy Sommerville)" - https://youtu.be/Ro5iI-RhKxM
"Balls" - https://youtu.be/E59AW_gIfAs

Welcome to season two of Discography Deep Dive. For this series Lillian "Lilz" Martin (Jukebox Zeroes) will be guiding us through the timeline of the highly influential art-pop duo of brothers Ron and Russell Mael, better known as Sparks.

In our third chapter we find Sparks in a holding pattern after their return home failed to render continued pop success. We'll be covering an unlikely shift in sound that reinvigorated the duo, removing them out of the rock clubs and into the discotheque. Followed by an embrace of new wave, but at the expense of their core identity.

Sources Include The Following:

AllSparks.com - http://allsparks.com/
Sound On Sound - https://www.soundonsound.com/people/sparks
Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sparks_(band)

Songs/Audio Clips Used In This Episode:

"My Other Voice" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3f9rbOEmps
"I Feel Love" by Donna Summer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHfrdQ8h2Pw
"Tryouts For The Human Race" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PX6c_7upnwc
"The Number One Song In Heaven" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7QAuZeozFo
"Beat The Clock" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIzleISU5jw
"When I'm With You" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPfI2uU78gE
"Young Girls" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1BCSacXbV6g
"Tips For Teens" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYS27VKif7U
"Funny Face" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W91nbOGeLmk
"I Predict" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qk0ldSF3FX8
Danny DeVito/Sparks episode of SNL - https://vimeo.com/262151804
"Eaten By The Monster Of Love" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUxheK7soS4
"Cool Places" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipTCslcSSoU
"All You Ever Think About Is Sex" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msro9PGsLmc

Welcome to season two of Discography Deep Dive. For this series Lillian "Lilz" Martin (Jukebox Zeroes) will be guiding us through the timeline of the highly influential art-pop duo of brothers Ron and Russell Mael, better known as Sparks.

In our second chapter we find Sparks at their greatest commercial peak; the duo's glam rock period. We cover the Mael Brothers' relocation overseas during which they enjoy mainstream success throughout the United Kingdom, their gradual regress in popularity, leading to a return to the United States, and their first tastes of negative critical reaction.

Sources Include The Following:

AllSparks.com - http://allsparks.com/
Sparks Early Years - http://graphikdesigns.free.fr/sparks-ron-russell-mael.html
Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sparks_(band)

Songs Used In This Episode:

"Amateur Hour" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YBmS5oaNwU
"Falling In Love With Myself Again" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jx4ERgegpO8
"This Town Isn't Big Enough For The Both Of Us" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BI9gOtRMogY
"Equator" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Bp_B45Hr7s
"Reinforcements" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVD5oJDuXTA
"Never Turn Your Back On Mother Earth" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4esybKKOYYo
"Something For The Girl With Everything" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKj4a-vwV00
"Hospitality On Parade" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHyryt1L79Y
"Looks Looks Looks" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTg8JPFrE70
"Get In The Swing" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lo1VYFAijjY
"Big Boy" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojVPOEYR6Mo
"I Like Girls" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQDDBJb1TAc
"Over The Summer" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vony9BuhxGg

Welcome to season two of Discography Deep Dive. For this series Lillian "Lilz" Martin (Jukebox Zeroes) will be guiding us through the timeline of the highly influential art-pop duo of brothers Ron and Russell Mael, better known as Sparks.

In the first chapter, we cover the early years of Sparks; their coming up into a musical background, their start through various garage and high school bands, their earliest studio recordings with Bearsville Records, and a brief glimpse towards future success.

Sources Include The Following:

AllSparks.com - http://allsparks.com/
Sparks Early Years - http://graphikdesigns.free.fr/sparks-ron-russell-mael.html
Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sparks_(band)

Songs Used In This Episode:

"Nothing Is Sacred" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HhtW_a_6rUg
"Big Bands" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDXATz4shRw
"Computer Girl" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4BoBKbFi1U
"Chile Farm Farney" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-7bvxupIqg
"Wonder Girl" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYrzeKd7cRw
"Fa La Fa Lee" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8cK4ruR03Rw
"Girl From Germany" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgXYs1W5C1I
"Do Re Mi" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLK-b9zBXtY

In 2020 Discography Deep Dive returns with an a new host and a new band. In our second season Lilz Martin of Jukebox Zeroes joins us to lead us through the timeline of Sparks, the musical project of brothers Ron and Russell Mael, a highly influential act whose sound has seamlessly transitioned throughout the decades, and a group whose critical acclaim and ability to innovate has far outweighed their mainstream success in their home country.

In the first season finale of Discography Deep Dive, A Moon Shaped Pool, solo albums, film scores, and the future are all discussed amongst both the sadness and celebration that has come to Radiohead in the years 2012-2019.

In the second part of episode six, we cover the touring and reception of "In Rainbows", side projects, and Radiohead's (and their fans') response to a global tragedy. In the process, the band manages to release a groove-oriented new album and tour behind it only to soon experience a tragedy far closer to home. In this episode, we cover the years 2007-2012 in the life of Radiohead.

Primary sources:
https://www.amazon.com/Exit-Music-Radiohead-Mac-Randall/dp/0385333935
https://citizeninsane.eu/
https://web.archive.org/web/20060701093047/http://www.ateaseweb.com/
https://web.archive.org/web/20190413025533/http://www.greenplastic.com/
https://web.archive.org/web/20080913030118/http://www.followmearound.com/
http://thekingoflimbspart2.com/
https://web.archive.org/web/20060701093047/http://www.ateaseweb.com/

In the first part of episode six, we look at Radiohead's dissatisfaction with "Hail to the Thief" and how it led to one of their longest and most arduous recording processes to date. When finally completed, the ensuing album would be released in a rather revolutionary manner. In this episode we cover the years 2004-2007 in the history of Radiohead.

Primary sources:
https://www.amazon.com/Exit-Music-Radiohead-Mac-Randall/dp/0385333935
https://citizeninsane.eu/
https://web.archive.org/web/20060701093047/http://www.ateaseweb.com/
https://web.archive.org/web/20190413025533/http://www.greenplastic.com/
https://web.archive.org/web/20080913030118/http://www.followmearound.com/
http://thekingoflimbspart2.com/
https://web.archive.org/web/20060701093047/http://www.ateaseweb.com/

In part five of our look at the history of Radiohead, we examine how "Hail to the Thief" is influenced by issues as serious as the War on Terror and as lighthearted as children's television and sushi, leading to one of Radiohead's darkest albums. However, it is simultaneously one of their most human and heartfelt. In this episode we cover the years 2002-2004 in the history of Radiohead.

Primary sources:
https://www.amazon.com/Exit-Music-Radiohead-Mac-Randall/dp/0385333935
https://citizeninsane.eu/
https://web.archive.org/web/20060701093047/http://www.ateaseweb.com/
https://web.archive.org/web/20190413025533/http://www.greenplastic.com/
https://web.archive.org/web/20080913030118/http://www.followmearound.com/
http://thekingoflimbspart2.com/
https://web.archive.org/web/20060701093047/http://www.ateaseweb.com/

In our fourth episode of season one, we examine the making of Radiohead's 2000 and 2001 albums Kid A and Amnesiac. Some initial writer's block leads to unexpected creative developments as the band spreads their wings and experiments in their own studio. Napster enters the fold and has a surprising (lack of) effect on album sales, Ed O'Brien keeps a daily record, and Jonny Greenwood buys some very expensive antique synthesizers as we cover the years 1999-2001 in the life of Radiohead.

Primary sources:
https://www.amazon.com/Exit-Music-Radiohead-Mac-Randall/dp/0385333935
https://citizeninsane.eu/
https://web.archive.org/web/20060701093047/http://www.ateaseweb.com/
https://web.archive.org/web/20190413025533/http://www.greenplastic.com/
https://web.archive.org/web/20080913030118/http://www.followmearound.com/
http://thekingoflimbspart2.com/
https://web.archive.org/web/20060701093047/http://www.ateaseweb.com/

In our third episode of season one, we take a look at the background and aftermath of Radiohead's triumphant third album, OK Computer. Good feelings within the band lead to a dark and paranoid masterpiece that ultimately becomes prescient not only in the long term, but in the band's immediate short term as well.

Primary sources:
https://www.amazon.com/Exit-Music-Radiohead-Mac-Randall/dp/0385333935
https://citizeninsane.eu/
https://web.archive.org/web/20060701093047/http://www.ateaseweb.com/
https://web.archive.org/web/20190413025533/http://www.greenplastic.com/
https://web.archive.org/web/20080913030118/http://www.followmearound.com/
http://thekingoflimbspart2.com/
https://web.archive.org/web/20060701093047/http://www.ateaseweb.com/

In our second episode of season one, we take a look at Radiohead's attempt to top Pablo Honey amidst self-doubt and internal conflict. Along the way, they begin long term collaborations with two key figures in the Radiohead story.

Primary sources:
https://www.amazon.com/Exit-Music-Radiohead-Mac-Randall/dp/0385333935
https://citizeninsane.eu/
https://web.archive.org/web/20060701093047/http://www.ateaseweb.com/
https://web.archive.org/web/20190413025533/http://www.greenplastic.com/
https://web.archive.org/web/20080913030118/http://www.followmearound.com/
http://thekingoflimbspart2.com/
https://web.archive.org/web/20060701093047/http://www.ateaseweb.com/

In the inaugural episode of Season One of Discography Deep Dive, we take a look at Radiohead's earliest years, covering the gradual process of their seemingly overnight success.

Primary sources:
https://www.amazon.com/Exit-Music-Radiohead-Mac-Randall/dp/0385333935
https://citizeninsane.eu/
https://web.archive.org/web/20060701093047/http://www.ateaseweb.com/
https://web.archive.org/web/20190413025533/http://www.greenplastic.com/
https://web.archive.org/web/20080913030118/http://www.followmearound.com/
http://thekingoflimbspart2.com/
https://web.archive.org/web/20060701093047/http://www.ateaseweb.com/

Welcome to Discography Deep Dive, a new monthly podcast that obsessively details the history of some of our favorite artists! In Season One, Christopher G. Brown will take you along through the history of Radiohead over the course of several episodes.