Sparks to Release 20th Album

So it's with some sadness that we report the relatively mundane title of Sparks' forthcoming twentieth (!) album, Hello Young Lovers. Maybe they're trying to attract the kids with this one. Or maybe you just have to imagine Ron Mael sinisterly purring the phrase from beneath his creepy moustache. Ah yes, now that's unsettling.

Hello Young Lovers is due out in the UK on Gut Records on February 6, and on March 14 in the U.S. on In the Red. (Yes, the garage rock label). On the album, the Maels are joined by drummer Tammy Glover and guitarist Dean Menta (Faith No More), with guitarist Jim Wilson and bassist Steve McDonald (Red Kross) putting in guest appearances.

The album's first U.S. single, "Dick Around", is out on February 14. Now I know what I'm getting my girlfriend for Valentine's Day. I'll probably be single the next day, if any of you ladies are interested.

No. 2-12 songs in heaven:

01 Dick Around
02 Perfume
03 The Very Next Flight
04 Can I Invade Your Country?
05 Rock Rock Rock
06 Metaphor
07 Waterproof
08 Here Kitty
09 There's No Such Thing as Aliens
10 When I Sit Down to PI

Sparks will dick around Europe, Sweden, and Russia in February, with a U.S. tour in the works for late spring. No word on whether a certain energy drink will sponsor the trek.

These towns ain't big enough for the two of them:

02-12 Glasgow, Scotland - The Academy
02-13 Gateshead, England - The Sage
02-15 Salford Quays, England - The Lowry
02-16 Leicester, England - De Montfort Hall
02-18 London, England - The Forum
02-20 Hamburg, Germany - Fabrik
02-21 Amsterdam, Holland - Paradiso
02-23 Stockholm, Sweden - Södra Teatern
02-24 Stockholm, Sweden - Södra Teatern
02-26 Moscow, Russia - B2
02-27 Moscow, Russia - B2

Sparks: http://www.allsparks.com/
In the Red: http://www.intheredrecords.com/