Pulling Rabbits Out of a Hat 5029987 225645699 2008-07-14T18:36:51Z J Milburn Bot 7423137 All Music Guide has now been rebranded to Allmusic {{Infobox Album | <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Albums --> | Name = Pulling Rabbits Out of a Hat | Type = [[Album]] | Artist = [[Sparks (band)|Sparks]] | Cover = Pulling Rabbits Out of a Hat - Sparks.jpg | Released = 1984 | Recorded = Oasis Studios, Los Angeles, California <ref name="discogs1">[http://www.discogs.com/release/539283 Sparks - Pulling Rabbits Out Of A Hat<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> | Genre = [[Rock (music)|Rock]] | Length = 38:58 | Label = [[Atlantic Records]]<br><small>7 80160-1</small> | Producer = Ian Little | Reviews = * [[Allmusic]] {{rating-5|2}} [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:j6j4eay24xa7 link] | Last album = '''''[[In Outer Space]]''''' <br /> (1983) | This album = ''Pulling Rabbits Out of a Hat'' <br /> (1984) | Next album = '''''[[Music That You Can Dance To]]''''' <br /> (1986) }} '''''Pulling Rabbits Out of a Hat''''' is the thirteenth [[album]] by [[Sparks (band)|Sparks]]. Released in 1984, it wasn't 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 a slightly darker lyrics revolving around Ron Maels favourite subject matter: relationships. Overall, ''Pulling Rabbits Out of a Hat'' has better material than ''In Outer Space'', less personality and only a few outstanding tracks. Perhaps tiring of unrewarded cleverness, the album's most durable effort is "With All My Might," a syrupy ballad distinguished by its plain-spoken emotionalism. <ref name="TrouserPress1"> http://www.trouserpress.com/entry.php?a=sparks Ira Robbins at Trouser Press "The equally inconclusive Pulling Rabbits Out of a Hat, produced by Ian Little, has better material, less personality and only a few outstanding tracks. Perhaps tiring of unrewarded cleverness, the album's most durable effort is "With All My Might," a syrupy ballad distinguished by its plainspoken emotionalism."</ref> "With All My Might", "Pretending To Be Drunk" and "Progress" were released as singles. The latter pair were remixed and extended for club play. ==Track listing== '''Side one''' # "Pulling Rabbits Out Of A Hat" - 4:07 # "Love Scenes" - 4:20 # "Pretending To Be Drunk" - 3:38 # "Progress" - 4:43 # "With All My Might" - 4:06 '''Side two''' #<li value = 6> "Sparks In The Dark (Part One)" - 0:28 #<li value = 7> "Everybody Move" - 2:58 #<li value = 8> "A Song That Sings Itself" - 4:29 #<li value = 9> "Sisters" - 3:53 #<li value = 10> "Kiss Me Quick" - 4:07 #<li value = 11> "Sparks In The Dark (Part Two)" - 2:58 *Written by [[Ron Mael]] and [[Russell Mael]]. ==Personnel== *[[Leslie Bohem]] - Bass, Backing Vocals *David Kendrick - Drums *Bob Haag - Guitar, Synthesizer, Backing Vocals *Ron Mael - Synthesizers: Roland Jp-8, Yamaha Dx-7, Fairlight *Russell Mael - Vocals *John Thomas - Keyboards *Producer - Ian Little *Mixed by - Brian Reeves, Dave Bianco, Mick Guzauski *Engineer - Steve Bates ==Chart Positions== '''Singles''' {|class="wikitable" ! Year ! Title ! Chart ! Position |- | 1979 | "With All My Might" | [[Hot Dance Club Play|US Hot Dance Club Play]] |align="center"| 28 |- |} ==References== {{reflist}} {{Sparks}} [[Category:Sparks albums]] [[Category:1984 albums]] {{1980s-rock-album-stub}}