Label: Demon-Edsel

Reissued 12/20/2024, Originally released 1974

Three CD set housed in 7" packaging. 1974 compiles Sparks' two 1974 albums - Kimono My House and Propaganda - alongside a bonus CD containing demo, unreleased and live takes and B Sides. 1974 saw the group relocate from L.A. to London where they recorded some of their most memorable output. Kimono My House, containing the group's biggest single "This Town Ain't Big Enough For Both Of Us" (#4 UK Singles Charts), was the group's first real commercial breakthrough. Produced by Muff Winwood, the album slotted into the contemporary landscape of glam rock, stylistically similar to the experimental and electronic led output of David Bowie and Roxy Music. Propaganda was released subsequently in November '74, peaking at number 9 in the UK album charts. The Mael Brothers solidified their style of demented, sinister pop songs with tracks like "Never Turn Your Back on Mother Earth", "Something For The Girl With Everything" and "Achoo". "You wonder if he ever thought that fifty years, twenty-six albums and a critically acclaimed film later that Sparks - rather deliciously - would endure. The works of their breakthrough year can also still be our protein, still exercise our heartbeats, still sound like no one else, so peculiarly wonderful." - Jude Rogers, The Guardian

Track listing:

Kimono My House

1. This Town Ain't Big Enough for Both of Us
2. Amateur Hour
3. Falling in Love with Myself Again
4. Here in Heaven
5. Thank God It's Not Christmas
6. Hasta Manana, Monsieur
7. Talent Is An Asset
8. Complaints
9. In My Family
10. Equator
    

Propaganda

1. Propaganda
2. At Home, at Work, at Play
3. Reinforcements
4. BC
5. Thanks But No Thanks
6. Don't Leave Me Alone with Her
7. Never Turn Your Back on Mother Earth
8. Something for the Girl with Everything
9. Achoo
10. Who Don't Like Kids
11. Bon Voyage
    

Bonus Tracks

1. Barbecutie
2. Lost and Found
3. Amateur Hour (Live at Fairfield Halls 09/11/75)
4. Alabamy Right
5. Marry Me
6. When I Take the Field on Friday (Demo)
7. Barbecutie (Demo)
8. Windy Day (Demo)
9. Marry Me (Demo)
10. A More Constructive Use of Leisure Time (Demo)
11. Alabamy Right (Demo)
12. My Brains and Her Looks (Demo)