| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [1] |
Pulling Rabbits Out of a Hat is the thirteenth studio album by American rock band Sparks. It was originally released in June 1984, on the label Atlantic. It was not very well received and failed to capitalise on the commercial success of their 1983 album In Outer Space. The album developed the light synthpop sound of In Outer Space but with slightly darker lyrics revolving around Ron Mael's favourite subject matter: relationships.
Release
Pulling Rabbits Out of a Hat did not chart in the US in spite of the popularity of their 1983 album In Outer Space. In UK, where the group hadn't charted since 1979, the album was also unsuccessful.
Three singles were lifted from the album. The lead single; "With All My Might" reached #104 on Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles and made the Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart; where it peaked at #28.[2] The other two singles were "Pretending To Be Drunk" and "Progress", which were extended, remixed and released as club promos.
Track listing
All tracks are written by Ron Mael and Russell Mael.
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Pulling Rabbits Out of a Hat" | 4:07 |
| 2. | "Love Scenes" | 4:20 |
| 3. | "Pretending to Be Drunk" | 3:38 |
| 4. | "Progress" | 4:43 |
| 5. | "With All My Might" | 4:06 |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 6. | "Sparks in the Dark (Part One)" | 0:28 |
| 7. | "Everybody Move" | 2:58 |
| 8. | "A Song That Sings Itself" | 4:29 |
| 9. | "Sisters" | 3:53 |
| 10. | "Kiss Me Quick" | 4:07 |
| 11. | "Sparks in the Dark (Part Two)" | 2:58 |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 12. | "Sparks in the Dark" (Extended Club Mix) | 3:57 |
| 13. | "Pretending to Be Drunk" (Extended Version) | 5:39 |
| 14. | "Progress" (Extended Club Mix) | 6:15 |
| 15. | "With All My Might" (Extended Club Mix) | 6:40 |
| 16. | "Kiss Me Quick" (Extended Version) | 5:39 |
Personnel
- Ron Mael – Synthesizers (Roland Jupiter-8, Yamaha DX7, Synclavier II, Fairlight CMI)
- Russell Mael – Vocals
- Leslie Bohem – Bass, Backing Vocals
- Bob Haag – Guitar, Synthesizer, Backing Vocals
- David Kendrick – Drums
- John Thomas – Keyboards
- Technical
- Producer – Ian Little
- Mixed by – Brian Reeves, Dave Bianco, Mick Guzauski
- Engineer – Steve Bates
References
- ^ a b Allmusic review
- ^ "Allmusic – Billboard Singles – Sparks". Billboard. Retrieved 2009-09-22.