Sparks - Manchester Ritz

There seems to be a revival of acts from back in the day making a big comeback and having Top 10 albums. Rick Ashley did it last year with his first album of new material in years and Sparks have done it this year with their new album, Hippopotamus which went Top 10 in the album charts the other week.

Rather than rest on past glories they have returned with what is probably one of the best albums of their career.

The album was thankfully the basis of the Manchester gig. Backed by a young, talented 5 piece band Ron and Russell Mael appeared to take delight in showing off their new album, just like proud parents showing off a new baby.

With all the band suitably dressed for the occasion in matching striped outfits it looked like they have put some effort into the presentation.

They start the night off with a track off the new album with What The Hell Is It This Time?, a title only Sparks could come up with, before an older track, Good Morning is featured.

Then it's time to reconnect with the new album. There is little chat between the songs but what strong songs they are: When Do I Get To Sing "My Way", Probably Nothing, Hippopotamus, Scandinavian Design, Missionary Position all follow and shine out bright and loud.

As the gig nears the end Ron Mael gets up from behind his keyboard for an impromptu robotic dance to their 1979 hit, The Number 1 Song In Heaven, in comparison to the new songs it does not seem as strong.

The guitar riff rings out for This Town Ain't Big Enough For The Both Of Us with the band playing the song with feeling and energy. For a moment it could be their debut performance on Top of the Pops in 1974 with the track.

It is not long before they encore with Johnny Delusional, a song they did with Franz Ferdinand before they end the night with a storming version of Amateur Hour.

Bewildered by the enthusiastic response they had received the duo look on the audience basking in the glory. Rightly so, it was one of the best gigs of the year. Get ready for the second coming.