In Outer Space [Import]

Sparks | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 26, 1999)
• Original Release Date: 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Repertoire
• ASIN: B0000258S5
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #190,746 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Reissued 1983 album. Sparks enjoyed belated success in their native USA with their warbling 'Sparks in Outer Space' which reached #88 and featured the singles 'Cool Places' and 'All You Ever Think About Is Sex.'

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Oh, boy! It's out on CD!, August 9, 2000

By 

Tom Tuerff (That there Phoenix place) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: In Outer Space (Reis) (Audio CD)

This is the album that introduced me to the weird world of Ron Mael and his singing brother Russell. While this is hardly their best album (that goes to Kimono My House from 1974), it is one that's filled with such sarcasm and downright nastiness that it just elicits wicked laughs whenever I play it.

From "Cool Places," a song sung with Jane Wiedlin that seems to stress the need to be considered cool, even if it means going back to the same places over and over again to be snubbed, to "Popularity," which is clearly written by someone (Mael) who never really fit in in high school, to the nihilistic "Dance, Goddammit," you have the musings of a man who doesn't fit in, can't fit in, but will do his best to stick his square peg into that round hole as long as he can draw a breath. The album cover, which shows Ron being hit quite violently by a pie, while the better-looking Russell remains pie-free, gives you a kind of cryptic idea of what these songs are about.

This album also includes one of the best lines ever written by anyone: "You're the only girl I ever met who hates 'Hey Jude'/ Maybe that the reason that I'm so in love with you." (From Rockin' Girls)

This album is a very wicked, hilarious keeper.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Some fine melodic tunes., December 3, 2002

By 

Ian (U.K) - See all my reviews

This review is from: In Outer Space (Reis) (Audio CD)

I own the album & it contains some wonderful melodies. Songs such as Popularity, A funch bunch of guys from outer space & Rockin' girls are upbeat highly melodic & instantly catchy electro pop. I'd say 8 out of 10 of the songs on this album are good.

Sparks new album Lil' Beethoven (2002)is out now and it's fantastic!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars THE DEVIL IS IN THE DETAIL, July 25, 2000

By 

adam (london, england) - See all my reviews

This review is from: In Outer Space (Reis) (Audio CD)

Nothing is ever as it seems with Sparks. On first listen this sounds like fairly typical early-80s synth-dance music, but there is definitely something very strange and eerie underneath the surface. "Cool Places" opens the album - its a duet with Go-Go Jane Weidlin and one of the most normal tracks on the album - apart from the way Russell Mael sneeringly sings. "Popularity" is superficially a featherweight pop song about meeting up with friends and hanging out; however it is actually sarcastic and misanthropic. "All You Ever Think About Is Sex" has some very odd vocal FX that make the seemingly down-to-earth lyrics sound spooky. "A Fun Bunch Of Guys From Outer Space" is hyper-fast, electronic and dreamy (with Beatle-esque harmonies!). "I Wish I Looked A Little Better" and "Please Baby Please" have some of the most self-critical lyrics I've ever heard, all about being ugly as sin, making a fool of yourself and starting to act weird. "Dance Goddamnit" is sparse, funky and has a spine-tingling electronic tremolo that you have to really concentrate hard to hear. All in all, this is a classic case of "the devil is in the detail". You put this album on and everyone in the room will feel uncomfortable without really knowing why. It's not an easy listen but if you listen closely you can hear so much going on. It has really good stereo effects, hilarious lyrics and catchy melodies. Weird but brilliant.