Sparks (2010 album)
Encyclopedia
Sparks is the third full-length studio album by UK-based rock band Fiction Plane
. It was released in continental Europe (excluding the UK) on May 10, 2010 via Roadrunner Records
.
Currently, two versions of the album exist - a standard 11-song version, and a deluxe digipack edition featuring 14 songs. According to the liner notes, a fifteenth song was recorded, "Push Me Around (acoustic)," but it has not yet surfaced. The album artwork was once again provided by Alex Lake, who previously contributed the art for Bitter Forces and Lame Race Horses
, Left Side of the Brain
, and Paradiso.
Sparks was recorded at RAK Studios in London
(in February/March 2009) and at Moles Studios in Bath, England (in September 2009). It was mixed and engineered by Paul Corkett. The bonus track "Sadr City Blues (acoustic)" was recorded at Airtime Studios in Bloomington, IN. The album's first single, "Push Me Around" was released in Europe on April 4, 2010. A video for the track was also filmed, but has not yet premiered.
To date, Sparks is only available in stores in continental Europe and at European online retailers.
at Arlene's Grocery
in New York City
. The song titles were "Telephone Unknown," "Humanoid," "Denied," "Zero," and "Contagious." “Humanoid,” "Denied" and “Zero” are currently featured in the track listing for Sparks, while "Telephone Unknown" is featured as a bonus track on the deluxe edition of the album. "Contagious" also appears on Sparks, but it was renamed "Russian LSD."
On August 13, 2009, Fiction Plane premiered three new songs at the Mercury Lounge
in New York, NY - "Talking", "Out of My Face", and "Kill Me Now." The first two eventually appeared on Sparks, while "Kill Me Now" remains unreleased. All three songs were written during the band's stay in New York during the week of the performance.
The lead track on Sparks "You Know You're Good (La La La Song)" is a reworking of the song "Cut Your Brakes." The band originally wrote the song during the 2007 Police 30th Anniversary Tour and it evolved over time to its current incarnation. The only released recording of "Cut Your Breaks" appeared on Fiction Plane's live album Paradiso. "Russian LSD" is based on the 1966 Russian novel The Master and Margarita
, by Mikhail Bulgakov
. The novel tells the story about what happens when the Devil
pays a visit to a Soviet Union
that is largely composed of atheists. "Humanoid" was inspired by the short story The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
, by James Thurber
. "Sadr City Blues (acoustic)" was recorded in August 2008 and was originally intended to be included on an acoustic EP the band had hoped to release that Christmas
. However, due to legal issues and problems with the previous record label, the EP was never released.
Fiction Plane
Fiction Plane is a rock band from England. Originally formed in London under the name Santa’s Boyfriend in 2001, Fiction Plane is currently composed of lead vocalist, guitar and bass player Joe Sumner ; guitarist Seton Daunt; and American drummer Pete Wilhoit.-Recording history:Fiction Plane’s...
. It was released in continental Europe (excluding the UK) on May 10, 2010 via Roadrunner Records
Roadrunner Records
Roadrunner Records is an American record label that concentrates primarily on heavy metal bands. It is currently a subsidiary of Warner Music Group.-History:...
.
Currently, two versions of the album exist - a standard 11-song version, and a deluxe digipack edition featuring 14 songs. According to the liner notes, a fifteenth song was recorded, "Push Me Around (acoustic)," but it has not yet surfaced. The album artwork was once again provided by Alex Lake, who previously contributed the art for Bitter Forces and Lame Race Horses
Bitter Forces and Lame Race Horses
Bitter Forces and Lame Race Horses is the 2005 EP released by British rock band Fiction Plane.- Track listing :# "American Standard" - 3:43# "Patience" - 4:43# "Author Lies" - 3:59# "Tolerate" - 4:48...
, Left Side of the Brain
Left Side of the Brain
Left Side of the Brain is the second Album by British rock band Fiction Plane. Released in 2007, this album was followed up by Fiction Plane's support role in The Police's reunion tour which continued until February 2008.- Track listing :# "Anyone" - 3:47...
, and Paradiso.
Sparks was recorded at RAK Studios in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
(in February/March 2009) and at Moles Studios in Bath, England (in September 2009). It was mixed and engineered by Paul Corkett. The bonus track "Sadr City Blues (acoustic)" was recorded at Airtime Studios in Bloomington, IN. The album's first single, "Push Me Around" was released in Europe on April 4, 2010. A video for the track was also filmed, but has not yet premiered.
To date, Sparks is only available in stores in continental Europe and at European online retailers.
Track listing
- You Know You're Good (La La La Song)
- Out of My Face
- Push Me Around
- Talking
- Revenge
- Two Sparks
- Tommy
- Humanoid
- Zero
- Russian LSD
- Denied
- Angel Eyes (deluxe edition bonus track)
- Telephone Unknown (deluxe edition bonus track)
- Sadr City Blues (acoustic) (deluxe edition bonus track)
Recording notes
On February 27, 2009, Fiction Plane previewed five brand new songs at a concertConcert
A concert is a live performance before an audience. The performance may be by a single musician, sometimes then called a recital, or by a musical ensemble, such as an orchestra, a choir, or a musical band...
at Arlene's Grocery
Arlene's Grocery
Arlene's Grocery is a bar and music venue in the Lower East Side, Manhattan. It is located at 95 Stanton Street, and has been a bar/venue since 1996....
in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. The song titles were "Telephone Unknown," "Humanoid," "Denied," "Zero," and "Contagious." “Humanoid,” "Denied" and “Zero” are currently featured in the track listing for Sparks, while "Telephone Unknown" is featured as a bonus track on the deluxe edition of the album. "Contagious" also appears on Sparks, but it was renamed "Russian LSD."
On August 13, 2009, Fiction Plane premiered three new songs at the Mercury Lounge
Mercury Lounge
The Mercury Lounge is a club/music venue, in the Lower East Side section, of New York City. The structure, at 217 East Houston Street, housed the servants to the Astor Mansion, connected to it by an underground labyrinth of tunnels...
in New York, NY - "Talking", "Out of My Face", and "Kill Me Now." The first two eventually appeared on Sparks, while "Kill Me Now" remains unreleased. All three songs were written during the band's stay in New York during the week of the performance.
The lead track on Sparks "You Know You're Good (La La La Song)" is a reworking of the song "Cut Your Brakes." The band originally wrote the song during the 2007 Police 30th Anniversary Tour and it evolved over time to its current incarnation. The only released recording of "Cut Your Breaks" appeared on Fiction Plane's live album Paradiso. "Russian LSD" is based on the 1966 Russian novel The Master and Margarita
The Master and Margarita
The Master and Margarita is a novel by Mikhail Bulgakov, woven around the premise of a visit by the Devil to the fervently atheistic Soviet Union. Many critics consider the book to be one of the greatest novels of the 20th century, and one of the foremost Soviet satires, directed against a...
, by Mikhail Bulgakov
Mikhail Bulgakov
Mikhaíl Afanásyevich Bulgákov was a Soviet Russian writer and playwright active in the first half of the 20th century. He is best known for his novel The Master and Margarita, which The Times of London has called one of the masterpieces of the 20th century.-Biography:Mikhail Bulgakov was born on...
. The novel tells the story about what happens when the Devil
Devil
The Devil is believed in many religions and cultures to be a powerful, supernatural entity that is the personification of evil and the enemy of God and humankind. The nature of the role varies greatly...
pays a visit to a Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
that is largely composed of atheists. "Humanoid" was inspired by the short story The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
"The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" is a short story by James Thurber. The most famous of Thurber's stories, it first appeared in The New Yorker on March 18, 1939, and was first collected in his book My World and Welcome to It...
, by James Thurber
James Thurber
James Grover Thurber was an American author, cartoonist and celebrated wit. Thurber was best known for his cartoons and short stories published in The New Yorker magazine.-Life:...
. "Sadr City Blues (acoustic)" was recorded in August 2008 and was originally intended to be included on an acoustic EP the band had hoped to release that Christmas
Christmas
Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday generally celebrated on December 25 by billions of people around the world. It is a Christian feast that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, liturgically closing the Advent season and initiating the season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days...
. However, due to legal issues and problems with the previous record label, the EP was never released.
Charting and Accolades
- On May 21, Sparks debuted on the top album charts in The Netherlands at #22.