Exotic Creatures of the Deep


Exotic Creatures of the Deep is the 21st album by the American rock band Sparks.

Release

Exotic Creatures of the Deep was as successful as their previous album; Hello Young Lovers in the UK, where it bettered the chart position reaching No. 54 on the UK Album Chart. The album was released in a limited edition version in most territories, this version included a poster and came in a card sleeve. Japanese editions included the bonus track "Brenda Is Always in the Way" and a DVD featuring five short films.
Two singles were released, the first "Good Morning" on May 12, 2008 on iTunes; a first for the group. The second; "Lighten Up, Morrissey" appeared on a 7"; backed with "Brenda Is Always In The Way" in March 2009. Neither single charted in the UK.
In the UK, Exotic Creatures of the Deep also promoted by a number of live performances dubbed the 'Sparks Spectacular'. The performances consisted of a record-setting twenty-date residency from May 16 to June 11, 2008 at London's Carling Islington Academy, where the group played each one of their previous twenty albums in its entirety in chronological order. The final appearance was at London's Shepherd's Bush Empire on June 13 where Exotic Creatures of the Deep was premièred.

Track listing

Personnel

May and June 2008 saw the 21-night Sparks Spectacular in London, where they played each of their albums in chronological order during the first twenty nights at the Carling Islington Academy, and premièred their new album on the twenty-first concert on June 13, 2008 at Shepherds Bush Empire. Each night, they performed an album in its entirety followed by a rare track — many of the songs have never been performed live before. The band asked their fans to visit their website and vote for the track that they'd most like to hear the band perform during the second half of the 21st concert after the première of Exotic Creatures of the Deep, though Russell Mael admitted that he and Ron would probably influence the poll a little.
Fans who bought a "Golden Ticket" also received a poster signed by the band and a CD single entitled Islington N1, a reference to the postal address of the venue for the first 20 gigs.
DateAlbumEncore song
May 16Sparks / Halfnelson "England"
May 17A Woofer in Tweeter's Clothing "Arts & Crafts Spectacular"
May 18Kimono My House "Barbecutie"
May 20Propaganda "Lost and Found"
May 21Indiscreet "Gone with the Wind"
May 23Big Beat "Tearing The Place Apart"
May 24Introducing Sparks "Alabamy Right"
May 25No. 1 In Heaven "Dancing Is Dangerous"
May 27Terminal Jive "Singing in the Shower"
May 28Whomp That Sucker "Get Crazy"
May 30Angst in My Pants "Minnie Mouse"
May 31In Outer Space "Sports"
June 1Pulling Rabbits Out of a Hat "National Crime Awareness Week"
June 3Music That You Can Dance To "Change"
June 4Interior Design "Big Brass Ring", "It's Kinda Like The Movies"
June 6Gratuitous Sax & Senseless Violins "Marry Me"
June 7Plagiarism "Looks Aren't Everything"
June 8Balls "Katharine Hepburn"
June 10Lil' Beethoven "Wunderbar"
June 11Hello Young Lovers "Profile"
June 13Exotic Creatures of the Deep

;Exotic Creatures of the Deep second set
  1. "Moustache"
  2. "Looks Aren't Everything"
  3. "Big Boy"
  4. "Goofing Off"
  5. "Katharine Hepburn"
  6. "Shopping Mall Of Love"
  7. "Those Mysteries"
  8. "Dick Around"
  9. "Get in the Swing"
  10. "Looks, Looks, Looks"
  11. "Batteries Not Included"
  12. "Whippings And Apologies"
  13. "Change"
  14. "This Town Ain't Big Enough For Both Of Us"