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 | Ron Mael, Russell Mael for Giorgio Moroder Enterprises, Ltd | |||
| Sparks chronology | ||||
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| Singles from In Outer Space | ||||
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| Professional ratings | |
|---|---|
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [1] |
| Mark Prindle | [2] |
In Outer Space is the 12th album by the American rock band Sparks.
Release
In Outer Space became one of Sparks' most successful albums in the USA. It reached #88 on the Billboard 200 albums chart,[3] and built upon the success of the group's former 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 and reached #49 on the Billboard Hot 100.[3] The song was a duet with The Go-Go's member Jane Wiedlin. Wiedlin's group 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 group on the Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart; where it peaked at #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 |
Personnel
- Russell Mael, vocals
- Ron Mael, keyboards
- Bob Haag, guitars
- Leslie Bohem, bass
- David Kendrick, drums
- James Goodwin, keyboards
- Jane Wiedlin, guest vocals on "Cool Places" and "Lucky Me, Lucky You"
- Dan Lacksman, engineer
- Brian Reeves, mixing, engineer
- Marc Moulin, album coordination
- Larry Vigon, art direction and design
- Jim Shea, photography
References
- 1 2 Allmusic review
- ↑ Mark Prindle review
- 1 2 "Allmusic - Billboard Albums - Sparks". Billboard. Retrieved 2008-12-04.