SPARKS

SteveBoyce · Sub-Deity Joined: 17 Jan 2002 Posts: 819

Just out of interest, did anyone change their opinion of Mad now it's been a while?

I didn't really change my basic feeling.

But I do think I405 is an outstanding track which I underestimated at first.

Crabby · Sub-Deity Joined: 26 Feb 2024 Posts: 858 Location: Belfast

I haven't changed my opinion other than the songs l liked initially l like even more now.....for some reason which escapes me l absolutely adore those opening notes of Don't Dog It......they're so cool!
The 2 songs that l was a little lukewarm towards,l still am.....
Funnily enough l just played it today......l'm not about to lose interest in this one.....(but l'd quite like to know what's happening with X crucior...😂)

bryan_davey · Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2025 2:19 pm Post subject:

brilliant album knocks sparks out of TGICIHL, so glad they improved from that album, mad is SUPERB X

waterloosunset · Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2025 4:55 pm Post subject:

Alex Robertson · Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2025 12:59 am Post subject:

I feel it improves with each listen…there is a post asking about tracks you skip, there are none on MAD! each track just demands a listen. I’m actually waiting word from an independent source (The Clash is his group of choice) but I bought a copy for him to listen to on his travels.

Henry McHenry · Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2025 4:31 am Post subject:

mixed feelings…
some strong tracks:
Don‘t Dog It
Drowned ..
In daylight…

for me
TGICIHL is a much more convincing!
though the production of the new album
is strong..

Andy M · Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2025 10:07 am Post subject:

Thanks for prompting this, Steve.

Just played the album again for the very purpose of reassessing it - I hadn't given it a spin for weeks, which probably tells you how I feel about it. I've come to a greater appreciation of A Long Red Light, but other than that I still consider Mad! to be one of the weakest of Sparks LPs. It doesn't help that it ends on Lord Have Mercy, which is one of my least favourite S. tracks of all time.

All of the above, of course, is IMHO, and I realise I may well be in a very small minority here!

Oscar · Power Groupie Joined: 10 Oct 2002 Posts: 437

I'd put this in the class of Sparks albums that are just...kind of good? About on the same level as, say, Balls. Or Introducing... Standout tracks for me are I-405 Rules, Light Banter, Don't Dog It (love the bridge on this one), and Lord Have Mercy. I could say My Devotion is a standout too, but in the other direction. When I'm listening to the album I can't skip that one fast enough.

Crabby · Sub-Deity Joined: 26 Feb 2024 Posts: 858 Location: Belfast

Isn't music wonderful?
We're here on a Sparks forum and can have completely opposite opinions on their songs......
I'm afraid l still skip Lord have Mercy....(well,it's not really skipping, l just stop,the cd before it gets that far !)
I really like My Devotion.....whistling people,whistling.....how can you resist whistling, even if it is electronic?.....🥳

It's certainly not my favourite ever Sparks album, but that can change depending on the day. ( and l love the Balls album!)

Spyke · Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2025 1:59 pm Post subject:

Lord Have Mercy is probably my favourite track on the album, although it didn't stand out on the first few listens. Do Things My Own Way, A Long Red Light and A Little Bit Of Light Banter are my next-preferred songs.
_________________
"but we can hear what others can't hear..."

Henry McHenry · Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2025 10:27 pm Post subject:

for me Lord Have Mercy
is pure pain
just terrible!

Kermit! · Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2025 6:52 pm Post subject:

aussie · Posted: Sat Sep 13, 2025 5:05 am Post subject:

Henry McHenry · Posted: Wed Sep 17, 2025 12:14 pm Post subject:

Introducing is as rubbish as Big Beat or Terminal Jive…
just me personal Point of view… sorry
there are some weak tracks on MAD, but it is not that Bad

Toughest Girl In Town · Sparks Guru Joined: 15 Feb 2022 Posts: 5640

My feelings about MAD! haven't changed, I still find it brilliant. Except that "Running up a tab" grew up on me a lot since May, and while "I-405 Rules" remains my favourite track on the album, Running comes second now.

waterloosunset · Posted: Thu Sep 18, 2025 10:37 am Post subject:

Crabby · Sub-Deity Joined: 26 Feb 2024 Posts: 858 Location: Belfast

Couldn't agree more waterloosunset about the 21 X 21 concerts.
There are lots of of songs in those shows that are totally transformed when they're performed live....it's quite a revelation.
( and also incredibly sad that it was never captured professionally on a dvd.....☹️)

Judes · Newbie Joined: 21 Jul 2025 Posts: 12

I definitely agree that the live versions of songs really bring them to life: all the ones I've heard, particularly off earlier albums, seem to rock a lot harder live.
I wonder if they have the 21x21 live streams saved anywhere... I would have thought they would have been released before now if they felt they were good enough to release. 8-(
I bought Mad! on vinyl so don't get round to playing it that often but I do like all of it - no skippers for me - although I get what people are saying about My Devotion and Lord Have Mercy - they are definitely at the gentler end of Sparks' output. My absolute favourite is Long Red Light, followed by Running Up A Tab, Banter, DTMOW, and also Don't Dog It and Hit Me Baby, neither of which I liked at first but have really grown on me.