The band returned to the US and recorded their sixth LP 'Big Beat' in New York with a session band.
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The band returned to the US and recorded their sixth LP 'Big Beat' in New York with a session band. It was recorded with Rupert Holmes and Jeffery Lesser and has a rockier American AOR 'West Coast' sound than previously. It's still recognisably Sparks due to Russell's voice and slightly wonky arrangements and lyrical ideas, but it's often steamrollered by the rock arrangements. That said, 'Nothing To Do' could be Cheap Trick, and 'I Bought The Mississippi River' is a piece of Maelean whimsy. Side two seems a little lyrically ropey, or perhaps of its time, but otherwise it's another different Sparks. It didn't chart in the UK or US, nor did the singles 'Big Boy' or 'I Like Girls'. My favourite track is 'Nothing To Do', which might have been a better choice in the UK where punk was just starting out.
LP: https://yewtu.be/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mw6ynGaaAS7UZBh_leBNMieBYoIyCMOR4
Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Beat_(album)