This is the one I generally regard as my favorite Sparks album. I seem to pull this one out the most. At Home At Work At Play, Reinforcements, Don't Leave Me Alone With Her...it just doesn't stop. My reissue has a couple of bonus tracks, including an hilarious interview with the Brothers Mael about a failed attempt at an edible delight.
Perfect album! There's a bonus track on the spotify version of sparks being interviewed but it's mostly just them talking about a creme caramel recipe lol
This is my favorite Sparks album, and I'm in the same boat that Don't Leave Me Alone With Her is a lot better than I used to give it credit for. It's hard to pick a personal favorite song though. Between Achoo, At Home At Work At Play, Thanks But No Thanks, Something for the Girl With Everything, they're so close in quality my favorite could change depending on my mood. For today I think B.C. tops the list because I'm in that kind of mood.
Thanks again for the review Larry. Every song on propaganda is flawless, and all the lyrics are sublime. My favourite song on here is also don't leave me alone with her, and is also in my current top 10 sparks songs of all time. I'm looking forward to your review of my all time favourite album of any artist, indiscreet. 😊
Larry the air conditioner is becoming a thematic presence in your videos. You should do an ASMR video with it running while Jinx sprawls out on the couch snoozing in all her beauty. Could go viral!
I remember well when I ist heard his album. Fridy night, december 3, 1974. I walked nto the recordstore as usual and they played it on the big speaker. I was instantly blown away by it ( in the god sense!). I just left school for a good job and I was so happy to be able to buy the record rght away. I loved i then and I still do. Such powe, such energy and brilliant lyrics!
I love this album so much ! And I would see I agree with your choice of the best song. It should have been a double album indeed, so close in quality, so close in sound.
Propaganda's a great album cover Larry and Something For The Girl With Everything sounds like a great pop song but I can't understand a word Russell says,Ron's great as usual in the video,he's one of great characters in rock & roll in my opinion and I played a Rickenbacher bass on most of my you-tube videos Larry,a Rickenbacher's a great bass. Bob.
I agree! I am not sure why it doesn't have a greater reputation in Sparks' catalog! Comparing love to a military exercise is brilliant and how can you not love the melody???
Great video.Interesting thought that Propaganda and Kimono my House could have been released as a double, they would certainly fit together as such.Love Never Turn Your Back on Mother Earth, definitely my favourite. Reinforcements is great fun, lots of Ron humour as always.My 2and favourite Sparks album behind Indiscreet.
Propaganda (1974) -Masterpieces: At Home At Work At Play, Never Turn Your Back On Mother Earth, Something For The Girl With Everything -Great songs: Thanks But No Thanks, Don't Leave Me Alone With Her, Bon Voyage -Good songs: Reinforcements, Alabamy Right, Marry Me -Normal songs: Propaganda, B.C., Achoo -Bad songs: Who Don't Like Kids Rating: 8(+)/10
My first Sparks album bought for me by my mother. I loved all the tracks on this album, never a a dull moment (oops that was by somebody else) I loved how the title track goes straight into At Home, At Work At Play. Never Turn Your Back on Mother Earth is so very true, especially today. An excellent album At the time I didn't get what all the lyrics were about. Ron Mael is such a clever lyricist.
Hmmm. Kimono pips it for me Larry as 'In My Family' trumps 'A.B.C' personally. Both are great achievements though. Always thought Never Turn Your Back On Mother Earth was such a beautiful song.
Propaganda is the twin brother of Kimono My House. Same year, same sound, same atmosphere and above all same Good old excellent Sparks. It is the Sparks album that is on the top of my list both for the music and for the humoristic sleeve. With the 95’s Gratuitous Sax & Senseless Violins it’s the one I have listened to the most frequently. All the songs on Propaganda are earworms (except Bon Voyage that I appreciate less, still good). Clapping hands is used as a percussion on many Sparks songs. It is the apanage of Sparks 70’s. We hear clapping hands on many songs from Kimono My House and Propaganda. This adds to the party feeling in Sparks music. Now they are not using clapping hands anymore. On my Sparks, One Album One Song playlist: Don't Leave Me Alone With Her. But it’s a tough choice. Achoo, Who Don't Like Kids and B,C. matching well DLMAWH.
I used to live in a place called Hitchin in the UK at the time and a mate of mine who was a couple of years older than me told me that Martin Gordon used to live on my road and had commented on my awful guitar playing....it wasn't until many years later and I'd become friends with Martin on Facebook that he told me that he did indeed live in Hitchin albeit on the other side of town. My friend had wound me up! Gutted! LOL!
IMHO this is the best sparks album ever. From the very start to the last second it's perfect. I think that Thanks but no thanks and Bon Voyage are my two favorites
