Episode 125

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Published on:

24th Jul 2026

125: Sparks - Gratuitous Sax and Senseless (1994) - Tsui Hark

Sparks take a surprising detour with "Tsui Hark," a quirky tribute to the legendary Hong Kong film director. Built around spoken-word samples, an infectious groove and understated electronic textures, it's one of the album's most unusual moments—and perhaps its most unconventional.

In this episode, we discuss who Tsui Hark is, why Sparks dedicated a track to him, the song's hypnotic atmosphere, and whether it works better as a musical interlude than a traditional song. We also revisit a wonderfully odd 1995 TV performance featuring Ron Mael enthusiastically lip-syncing the spoken-word parts—an unforgettable piece of Sparks history.

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About the Podcast

The Burning of the Midnight Amp
Dissecting music history one album at a time
Three Norwegian music enthusiasts delve into the rich tapestry of albums spanning genres and eras. Discover the stories behind the recordings, the artists who crafted them, and the tales their tracks tell.

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Frode Håvik Korneliussen

Meteorologist and music enthusiast from Norway.