Sparks

Description

The self-titled debut album by the American husband-and-wife pop duo Sparks (Greg & Rebecca Sparks of Bash’N the Code and Found Free fame) was released on Reunion Records in 1989. The album was co-produced by James Hollihan, Jr. and Greg Sparks.

For those of us past those horrible adolescent years, probably the best reasons for even noticing the appearance in the Christian music horizon of Bash ‘N The Code were: Music to dance to, Mark Townsend’s screaming guitar lines, the voice of Rebecca Ed Sparks and the songs she wrote with her husband Greg Sparks.

Well, miracles happen, Bash has survived without these two, and now on their own debut, the Sparks’ prove they can stand alone, together.

Produced with Russ Taff‘s guitarist James Hollihan, Sparks has stripped back to a sound that thrives in the essentials – fine melodic songs, enough instruments to carry the emotion and give substance, and performances with believable urgency and depth. They can stomp out a straight ahead pop/rock anthem like «Hell and High [H2O]» and «Rock Your World», or cut it back to piano and vocal for «One Small Voice» and never sound like they’re pretentious or selling out to radio (all while being incredible accessible to airplay).

Just listen to «Rest», the album’s best rowdy, fun song. Sparks are not afraid to play it fast and a little loose to capture the right feeling. And the down-to-earth reality of lyrics that renounce “rah-rah religion” for the comfort of God’s promise to give “Rest for the weary/ Peace for the confused/ Renewal for the heart that has been used,” are as welcome today as ever before.

Side Two moves toward an acoustic intimacy. But mostly Sparks have made a gospel pop/rock album that is approachable yet artistically satisfying, uplifting yet real and honest, and fun, but without the attendant silliness. I didn’t expect to find this record nearly as enjoyable, and with as much to offer, as it is. Go figure. [Brian Q. Newcomb, CCM, August 1989]

CD tracklist:

01. Rock Your World – 3:34
02. U Tell Me – 4:11
03. I Need Your Love – 5:09
04. One small Voice – 3:39
05. Angels of Mercy – 4:09
06. Rest – 3:10
07. (Through) Hell and High H2O – 3:35
08. Somebody’s Reaching – 4:25
09. Day Like Today – 3:41
10. High Tower – 5:54

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette, 12-inch vinyl LP, and CD by Reunion Records.