SPARKS’ “TRYOUTS FOR THE HUMAN RACE”: A SYNTH-POP GEM FROM 1979 In the ever-evolving world of synth-pop and new wave, Sparks—the eccentric duo of brothers Ron and Russell Mael—were at the forefront of electronic music’s evolution in the late 1970s. Released on October 19, 1979, through Virgin Records in the UK (VS 289), the 7" single “Tryouts for the Human Race” / “Tryouts for the Human Race (Long Version)” was taken from their groundbreaking eighth studio album, No. 1 in Hea

Sparks’ "A Big Surprise"  backed with "Forever Young" , was released as a 7-inch vinyl single in the UK by CBS Records (catalog number S...

A Big Beat Glam-Pop Curiosity Released as a 7-inch vinyl single in the UK on December 3, 1976, on Island Records (catalogue: WIP 6358), Sparks’ “I Like Girls” was the final single from Big Beat . Backed with “England,” this re-recorded live favourite (A) and jaunty B-side did not chart in the UK or US — a commercial disappointment after the success of Kimono My House, Propaganda, and Indiscreet. Issued in the UK and Australia only. A quirky glam-pop footnote. Single Overview

The Maels' Big Beat Kickoff Sparks’ “Big Boy” 7-inch vinyl single, was released in the UK on October 8, 1976 on Island Records (catalogue: WIP 6337). Backed with “Fill 'er Up,” this rollicking rock 'n' roll track, written by Ron and Russell Mael, served as the lead single from the band's sixth album, Big Beat. Produced by Rupert Holmes and Jeffrey Lesser, the A-side's Chuck Berry-inspired riff and Russell Mael's frenetic vocals celebrated a larger-than-life character, but it