Balls
by Sparks
  • Record Label: Oglio
  • Release Date: Aug 22, 2000
Metascore
59

Mixed or average reviews - based on 7 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
  1. Mojo
    80
    Highly listenable and equally danceable, a kind of Pet Shop Boys meet Gary Numan at the gates of Georgio Moroder. (Sep 2000, p.95)
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  2. Billboard
    70
    The Maels continue flexing their musical might. Tracks like "More Than A Sex Machine," "The Calm Before The Storm," and the eye-winking title track are just waiting to be embraced by dancefloors worldwide.
  3. Sonicnet
    60
    At once epic, playful and a little bit strange, the duo's latest effort perpetuates the brothers' patented geek-chic, though things come across as more introspective and ambient this time around.... Alternately excellent, kitschy and lackluster...
  5. Alternative Press
    60
    The best songs are, as usual, the weirder ones... Elsewhere, Balls spends too much time riding the same quirky-dance autopilot that has fascinated Sparks since the late '70s. [Jan. 2001, p.102]
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  6. AllMusic
    60
    Though both the lyrics and the production are quirky, there is nothing dumb about them.... The melodies have brilliant pop hooks and Russell's voice soars.
  7. New Musical Express (NME)
    40
    Sadly, as 'Balls' proves, age has inexplicably withered Sparks' bow-legged muse; where once was genre-bending acid eclecticism and inspired wit, Sparks now seem content to dole out tired, tinny electro-pop and unfunny puns.
  8. Q Magazine
    40
    A profound disappointment... few songs lift themselves above pedestrian tedium. [Nov 2000, p.117]
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Awards & Rankings

68
#68 Most Discussed Album of 2000
74
#74 Most Shared Album of 2000

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 10 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 10
  3. Negative: 1 out of 10
  1. GunnarJ
    Mar 25, 2005
    9
    This album is a proof that Sparks still are the best band in the world. My fovourites are "The Calm.." and "Knock off" and "Sexmachine". This This album is a proof that Sparks still are the best band in the world. My fovourites are "The Calm.." and "Knock off" and "Sexmachine". This album was a step up the ladder leading to "Lil´ Bethoven… Full Review »
  2. iconicshrubbery
    Nov 5, 2011
    10
    Sorry(negative)critics-this is a great inspired synthesizery,funky,quirky,bouncy Poppy album.With that Extra Ingredient-Mael Genius.ASorry(negative)critics-this is a great inspired synthesizery,funky,quirky,bouncy Poppy album.With that Extra Ingredient-Mael Genius.A more-inspired,more-fun development of Interior Design and Gratuitous Sax... OK,you guessed it, I Am a Sparks fanatic,but this is much more listenable than much of their recent stuff,that of the last decade,which is a bit tiresome.
    How to Get Your Ass Kicked,merits credit for its title alone.And Irreplaceable is irrepeatable.So,forget the dreary Pet-Shop Bores."Balls" Out -Pops 99% of all Known Pop Brands!    … Full Review »
  3. Carol
    Oct 27, 2004
    10
    Absolutely brilliant. Ron and Russell have not lost their touch!
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