Sparks - Balls (2000) [Complete CD] USA

Balls is the 18th album by the American rock band Sparks, released in 2000.

Balls was a continuation of the techno-pop style that the duo had first explored on 1994's Gratuitous Sax & Senseless Violins, but employed harder, more uptempo beats, as well as a direct, aggressive approach derived from acts such as The Prodigy. The album was packaged in a translucent jewel case that came in a variety of colours (red, yellow, green, blue, orange, black, and turquoise), with a reflective die-cut silver slipcase.

"It's a Knockoff" was recorded for the movie Knock Off starring Jean-Claude Van Damme, directed by the acclaimed Hong Kong–based producer–director Tsui Hark (who had appeared on his own tribute song by the band on Gratuitous Sax & Senseless Violins). It is featured over the closing credits.

Whilst critical reception of Balls was moderately positive, it was not a success in terms of chart performance and failed to match the performance of Gratuitous Sax & Senseless Violins. It did not chart in Germany, the UK, or the US. "More Than a Sex Machine", "The Calm Before the Storm", and "The Angels" were released as singles but did not pick up any significant sales or radio play. The duo had already written a follow-up to Balls in a similar vein. However, the album's poor reception convinced them to abandon it and pursue a new direction entirely on 2002's Lil' Beethoven.

Tracklist:
Tracklist:
01 - Balls 0:00
02 - More Than A Sex Machine 4:22
03 - Scheherazade 9:26
04 - Aeroflot 13:55
05 - The Calm Before The Storm 18:23
06 - How To Get Your Ass Kicked 22:27
07 - Bullet Train 26:45
08 - It's a Knockoff 31:05
09 - Irreplaceable 34:48
10 - It's Educational 39:54
11 - The Angels 43:55

Personnel
Credits are adapted from the Balls liner notes.

Russell Mael – vocals, production
Ron Mael – keyboards, programming, cover concept
Tammy Glover – drums
Aksinja Berger – voice on "Aeroflot"
Amelia Cone – narration on "Scheherazade"
John Thomas – mixing, engineering