Hippopotamus
by Sparks
User Score
7.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 16 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 16
  3. Negative: 3 out of 16
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  1. wowee
    Sep 13, 2017
    10
    SPARKS has spanned a career over 40 years and they still find some exciting territories in Pop music..
    SPARKS the only Pop definitive Group .... go on Maels.
  2. StevenX
    Oct 1, 2017
    7
    This has all the earmarks of a great Sparks album - the music varies from classical to pastoral to downright wacky, likewise the lyrics; Ron Mael's keyboards are as interesting as ever, and brother Russell's voice practically the Dorian Gray of pop/rock. So why does this fall flatter than usual with me? Because the guys made the mistake of making that album with Franz Ferdinand first, andThis has all the earmarks of a great Sparks album - the music varies from classical to pastoral to downright wacky, likewise the lyrics; Ron Mael's keyboards are as interesting as ever, and brother Russell's voice practically the Dorian Gray of pop/rock. So why does this fall flatter than usual with me? Because the guys made the mistake of making that album with Franz Ferdinand first, and it rocked like a **** and challenged everybody, performers and listeners alike. Compare that to the last minute of "The Missionary Position" here, which, despite its kooky charm, basically vamps on the last chord change over and over for too long at the end before petering out, and you get the disappointment. As a matter of fact, that's how several of the songs here end. "Giddy Giddy" lives up to its name, and "What The Hell Is It This Time" is a pumping good time for a song about leaving God the hell alone, but elsewhere the guys are victims of the high bar they themselves have set for 40 years. When Russell sings "I wish you were fun," I can't help but think that I wish they were funner.… Expand

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
81

Universal acclaim - based on 18 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 18
  3. Negative: 0 out of 18
  1. The Wire
    Oct 11, 2017
    80
    The result is an album which will satisfy fans of all the band’s distinct phases without necessarily ingratiating itself to anyone. [Oct 2017, p.61]
  2. Pitchfork
    Sep 13, 2017
    71
    The Sparks catalog does not lack for unpleasant characters or situations, but existential anxiety rarely comes through this overtly.
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  3. Los Angeles Times
    Sep 12, 2017
    80
    Even when the subject matter starts out a little more sober, their unflagging wit isn’t far away.
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