In Outer Space
| In Outer Space | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by Sparks | ||||
| Released | April 1983 | |||
| Recorded | Synsound Studios, Brussels, Belgium | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 36:37 | |||
| Label | Atlantic | |||
| Producer | ||||
| Sparks chronology | ||||
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| Singles from In Outer Space | ||||
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| Professional ratings | |
|---|---|
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   |
| Mark Prindle | |
In Outer Space is the twelfth studio album by American pop band Sparks, released in April 1983 by Atlantic Records. Brothers Ron and Russell Mael of Sparks self-produced the album.
Release
In Outer Space became one of Sparks' most successful albums in the U.S. It peaked at No. 88 on the Billboard 200 albums chart,[1] and built upon the success of the band's previous two albums. In France, the non-album single "Modesty Plays" (originally conceived for the TV series Modesty Blaise) was added and included as the final track).
"Cool Places" was released as the first single from the album and it reached No. 49 on the Billboard Hot 100.[1] The song was a duet with the Go-Go's rhythm guitarist and backing vocalist Jane Wiedlin. Wiedlin's band were very popular, and her input gave exposure to the single, which led it to become Sparks' biggest hit in the US. "Cool Places" was extended for 12", and both formats were backed with the non-album track "Sports". The single also became the first of many entries for the band on the Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart; where it peaked at No. 13.
"All You Ever Think About Is Sex" was remixed and released as the follow-up single, but it did not chart. An extended mix was also produced and it was backed with a remixed version of the album track; "Dance Godammit" on both 7" and 12" formats.
Neither the album or the accompanying singles were successful in the UK.
Track listing
All tracks written by Ron Mael and Russell Mael.
| Side one | ||
|---|---|---|
| No. | Title | Length |
| 1. | "Cool Places" | 3:23 |
| 2. | "Popularity" | 3:52 |
| 3. | "Prayin' for a Party" | 2:59 |
| 4. | "All You Ever Think About Is Sex" | 4:09 |
| 5. | "Please Baby Please" | 3:42 |
| Side two | ||
|---|---|---|
| No. | Title | Length |
| 6. | "Rockin' Girls" | 4:42 |
| 7. | "I Wish I Looked a Little Better" | 2:58 |
| 8. | "Lucky Me, Lucky You" | 3:26 |
| 9. | "A Fun Bunch of Guys from Outer Space" | 4:00 |
| 10. | "Dance Godammit" | 3:26 |
| 11. | "Modesty Plays" (French editions only) | 3:47 |
| Imperial Records (Japan) bonus tracks (2009) | ||
|---|---|---|
| No. | Title | Length |
| 11. | "Miniskirted" | 3:47 |
| 12. | "All You Ever Think About Is Sex" (Unreleased Alternate Version) | 4:06 |
| 13. | "Sports" | 3:23 |
| Repertoire Records bonus tracks (2013) | ||
|---|---|---|
| No. | Title | Length |
| 11. | "All You Ever Think About Is Sex" (Single version - Remixed by Brian Reeves) | 3:32 |
| 12. | "Sports" | 3:23 |
| 13. | "Cool Places" (12" mix) | 4:40 |
| 14. | "All You Ever Think About Is Sex" (12" club version - Remixed by Brian Reeves) | 5:06 |
| 15. | "Dance Godammit" (12" club version - Remixed by Brian Reeves) | 3:59 |
Personnel
Credits are adapted from the In Outer Space liner notes.[3]
- Russell Mael – vocals
- Ron Mael – keyboards
- Bob Haag – guitars
- Leslie Bohem – bass guitar
- David Kendrick – drums
- James Goodwin – keyboards
- Jane Wiedlin – guest vocals on "Cool Places" and "Lucky Me, Lucky You"
Production
- Ron Mael – producer
- Russell Mael – producer
- Dan Lacksman – engineer
- Brian Reeves – mixing; engineer
- Marc Moulin – album coordination
- Larry Vigon – art direction and design
- Jim Shea – photography
References
- 1 2 3 4 AllMusic review
- ↑ Mark Prindle review
- ↑ In Outer Space (CD booklet). Sparks. Atlantic Records. 1983.
External links
- In Outer Space at Discogs (list of releases)