Thanks Larry. It ages like a fine wine, which is crazy when you think of how of it’s time it is. It’s crazy to think that you fell in love with them on Midnight Special and they’re releasing your favourite album of theirs nearly 50 years later!
You were right! The drums didn’t click with me, despite loving breakbeats with bands like Prodigy, Chemical Brothers and Fatboy Slim at the time. I love it now though.
Another meaning - "Do the **Maels** among them tend to fight" against prevailing/ephemeral musical trends and/or fight for their absolute creative freedom. Another joyous instalment - thanks, Paul!
Thanks TGY! I love that interpretation, and that same way of looking at it can be applied to The Very Next fight too. I prefer your explanation to mine :)
I’m loving your musings, Paul. It took me a while to gain an appreciation of this album and your videos have built on that further. Thanks for the encouragement to listen more thoughtfully to the lyrics of songs on this album . It’s now a regular on my walks. Cheers. 👍
That’s great to hear, thanks so much! It’s an album that deserves reappraisal, and feels great when you think of it like Sparks intentionally driving full speed in the wrong direction :)
I’m so excited for that - it feels like I’ve been talking about it so much of my GSaSV and Balls vids, so it’s been a long build-up. Thanks again for your continued support with this :)
I've wavered for a while as to whether I believe your central thesis (although I've always enjoyed the analysis) but you keep finding examples. I'm now buying what you are selling. Well done.
Another "educational" video! I agree entirely that Lil Beethoven is built upon the repetitive, slowly evolving nature of electronic dance music, only without the actual rhythms. Totally agree about La Dolce Vita. "Step up follow me" - lots of bands did!
Great spot with “step up, follow me”. It really feels like Sparks knew they were ahead of the game with that album. Electronic music has always been my first love musically, and that’s all over Lil B. It clicked instantly with me!
Great insight yet again, Paul, I've watched the older episodes and look forward to the new ones. Keep up the good work. Would be great for Ron and Russell to see these and get their thoughts on them
Thanks Mike, I really appreciate all your enthusiasm about this, here and on Facebook. When I started sharing these ideas a few years ago your likes and comments really helped motivate me to keep pushing forward with this. You’re a top guy!
If their old record company would take the Maels to court, for deliberately sabotaging the sales, they'd be provided with ample evidence to convince any judge
Yeah, they produced an absolute kicker of an album and fulfilled their contractual obligation but it didn’t sell …..Van Gough could hardly sell a painting in his lifetime but now look.
I’ll pass that on next time I speak to him. I love that there is more and more fan art making the rounds these days. I’ve thought about commissioning more for my back shelf :)
My least favourite songs had always been the last three. Absolutely loved the first eight. But because of Paul's videos, I'm finding myself dancing around the room and humming Irreplaceable and It's Educational! Now I'm waiting to see if it works with The Angels.
@@stefanlacny814perfect! Fortunately I don’t hate the angels but we’ll see if Paul ‘s magic works for me too I actually like educational and irreplaceable Can’t really put my finger on what I don’t like angels 🤷🏽♂️😋
@@MetaSparks Angels is one of my favourite all time songs, love the 'live' version from Berlin, think it was their biggest ever crowd, rumours of a million there. Can't wait for that one, the clean version is one of my funeral songs
Excellent discussion and I agree that Balls is a really good album, very underrated. I love all of the songs.
Thanks Larry. It ages like a fine wine, which is crazy when you think of how of it’s time it is. It’s crazy to think that you fell in love with them on Midnight Special and they’re releasing your favourite album of theirs nearly 50 years later!
Tbh this song has always been a banger for me since the first time I heard it.
You were right! The drums didn’t click with me, despite loving breakbeats with bands like Prodigy, Chemical Brothers and Fatboy Slim at the time. I love it now though.
Another meaning - "Do the **Maels** among them tend to fight" against prevailing/ephemeral musical trends and/or fight for their absolute creative freedom. Another joyous instalment - thanks, Paul!
Thanks TGY! I love that interpretation, and that same way of looking at it can be applied to The Very Next fight too. I prefer your explanation to mine :)
I’m loving your musings, Paul. It took me a while to gain an appreciation of this album and your videos have built on that further. Thanks for the encouragement to listen more thoughtfully to the lyrics of songs on this album . It’s now a regular on my walks. Cheers. 👍
That’s great to hear, thanks so much! It’s an album that deserves reappraisal, and feels great when you think of it like Sparks intentionally driving full speed in the wrong direction :)
Marvellous once again my good man. Looking forward to your next video. 😃👍
Thanks! I’m so excited to be working on the final Balls song!
@@MetaSparks excellent. You can't wait to review Lil Beethoven.😃👍
I’m so excited for that - it feels like I’ve been talking about it so much of my GSaSV and Balls vids, so it’s been a long build-up. Thanks again for your continued support with this :)
@@MetaSparks you're welcome. I'm looking forward to seeing your videos.😃👍
I've wavered for a while as to whether I believe your central thesis (although I've always enjoyed the analysis) but you keep finding examples. I'm now buying what you are selling. Well done.
Honestly, that’s so nice to hear, thanks!
Another "educational" video! I agree entirely that Lil Beethoven is built upon the repetitive, slowly evolving nature of electronic dance music, only without the actual rhythms. Totally agree about La Dolce Vita. "Step up follow me" - lots of bands did!
Great spot with “step up, follow me”. It really feels like Sparks knew they were ahead of the game with that album. Electronic music has always been my first love musically, and that’s all over Lil B. It clicked instantly with me!
Canadian Studmuffin, Monte Mallin and MetaSparks are my favorite source for all things Sparks!
Those guys are great! I enjoyed your video on Sparks too - it popped up on my recommendations a few days ago. Good work!
@@MetaSparks Thank you!
Great insight yet again, Paul, I've watched the older episodes and look forward to the new ones. Keep up the good work. Would be great for Ron and Russell to see these and get their thoughts on them
Thanks Mike, I really appreciate all your enthusiasm about this, here and on Facebook. When I started sharing these ideas a few years ago your likes and comments really helped motivate me to keep pushing forward with this. You’re a top guy!
Another very impressive video! Thanks, Paul!
Thanks Peta, I’m really glad you enjoyed it. I wasn’t sure if anybody would still be watching this far in so it means a lot :)
@@MetaSparks I'm sorry, but you are stuck with me!
Hahaha!
Bravo!
I swear to god, I’m watching Lil B live right now, and I read this comment as they were chanting “Bravo”!
@@MetaSparks coincidence, or…?
If their old record company would take the Maels to court, for deliberately sabotaging the sales, they'd be provided with ample evidence to convince any judge
🤣🤣🤣
Hahaha! “Ladies and Gentlemen of the Jury, I’d like to call your attention to verse 3 of Aeroflot….”
Yeah, they produced an absolute kicker of an album and fulfilled their contractual obligation but it didn’t sell …..Van Gough could hardly sell a painting in his lifetime but now look.
Yeah time has been good to Sparks, even the supposedly “bad” albums are amazing!
@@MetaSparks at the time, I remember Mojo briefly reviewing it rather favourably, concluding with "no hits to mention, but when has that stopped them"
Paul, who drew the caricatures of R&R on the shelf behind you?
Oh I’m glad you like those. Both the sparks drawings behind me are from an old school friend called Daniel Hegarty. He’s a talented guy.
@@MetaSparks Wonderful caricatures! Kudos to your friend!
I’ll pass that on next time I speak to him. I love that there is more and more fan art making the rounds these days. I’ve thought about commissioning more for my back shelf :)
Balls is the only album that does not contain lyrics on the inner sheet - Why
Interesting! I didn’t realise that. It’s especially weird because it’s got such fancy packaging with all the various versions.
👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽yes now on to my least favorite song on the record the angels
Otoh I’ll look forward to what you have to say 🎉🎉🎉
My least favourite songs had always been the last three. Absolutely loved the first eight. But because of Paul's videos, I'm finding myself dancing around the room and humming Irreplaceable and It's Educational!
Now I'm waiting to see if it works with The Angels.
@@stefanlacny814perfect!
Fortunately I don’t hate the angels but we’ll see if Paul ‘s magic works for me too
I actually like educational and irreplaceable
Can’t really put my finger on what I don’t like angels
🤷🏽♂️😋
I hope you both enjoy this upcoming final episode. I’ve got a soft spot for Russell swearing so I’ve always loved The Angels :)
@MetaSparks Haha! That's one of the reasons I've persevered with it :)
@@MetaSparks Angels is one of my favourite all time songs, love the 'live' version from Berlin, think it was their biggest ever crowd, rumours of a million there. Can't wait for that one, the clean version is one of my funeral songs