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PODCAST

The Burning of the Midnight Amp

Frode, Trond & Chris

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. Connect with us on Instagram: @burningmidnightamp Facebook: @midnightamp Email: burningmidnightamp@gmail.com

music music commentary

All Episodes

12:41

037: Noël (with Sparks) - Is There More to Life Than...

The Burning of the Midnight Amp ·

2025/08/26

We close out Noël’s Sparks-produced disco experiment with the fifth and final track, “I Want a Man.”This one divided the panel: Frode finds it quirky and intriguing, appreciating its off-kilter bassline and more experimental feel, while Chris calls it the weakest Sparks-related track he’s heard so far. The sparse lyrics (essentially two lines rearranged repeatedly), the oddly mixed percussion, and the overall chaotic atmosphere make it a very different beast than the rest of the album — for better

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07:14

036: Noël (with Sparks) - Is There More to Life Than...

The Burning of the Midnight Amp ·

2025/08/22

We’re nearing the end of our deep dive into Noël’s Is There More to Life Than Dancing?—the 1979 Sparks-produced disco experiment—with the fourth track, “Au Revoir.”Clocking in at a far more digestible 4 minutes, this one immediately feels different from the album’s sprawling opening tracks. The panel notes that its concise structure, catchy phrasing, and sudden bursts of wordy, Sparks-esque lyricism make it one of the more interesting cuts so far. Still, that relentless disco beat never lets up, and

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07:25

035: Noël (with Sparks) - Is There More to Life Than...

The Burning of the Midnight Amp ·

2025/08/19

We’re on to Side B of Noël’s Is There More to Life Than Dancing?, Sparks’ mysterious 1979 disco side project, with the sprawling third track, “The Night They Invented Love.”At over 9 minutes, this one aims for symphonic disco—but does it pull it off? The panel debates: while the groove, title, and Michael Brecker’s saxophone are highlights, the track’s repetitive loops, insistent beat, and minimal variation make it feel more like an overextended 12" mix than a fully realized song. Would a tighter

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08:11

034: Noël (with Sparks) - Is There More to Life Than...

The Burning of the Midnight Amp ·

2025/08/15

In this episode, we continue our deep dive into Noël’s Is There More to Life Than Dancing?—the obscure Sparks-produced side project from 1979—by tackling its title track.Clocking in at over 8 minutes, this disco-synth marathon feels tailor-made for the dance floor, with hypnotic grooves, catchy refrains, and a seamless flow from the album’s opener. But does it work as a standalone song? The panel debates its effectiveness: is this a bold, ironic take on disco, or simply a track stretched far beyond

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23:16

033: Noël (with Sparks) - Is There More to Life Than...

The Burning of the Midnight Amp ·

2025/08/12

In this episode, we kick off a new series diving into Is There More to Life Than Dancing?, the obscure 1979 side project by Ron and Russell Mael of Sparks, fronted by the mysterious singer Noël.We set the stage with the album’s fascinating backstory: recorded in early 1979 while Sparks were waiting to release No. 1 in Heaven, this project saw the Maels experimenting with their freshly acquired electronic production chops. We dig into what little is known about Noël—possibly Patricia A. Noël—whose

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26:39

032: Sparks - No. 1 in Heaven (1979) - The Number One...

The Burning of the Midnight Amp ·

2025/08/08

We reach the grand finale of Sparks’ landmark album No. 1 in Heaven: the sprawling, two-part epic “The Number One Song in Heaven.”We dive deep into its structure—shifting from a slow, celestial opening into a full-on disco groove—as well as Giorgio Moroder’s unmistakable production. The panel discusses the song’s quirky lyrical concept, its single edit (and striking music video), and its place as one of Sparks’ most defining tracks. We also touch on its chart success (#14 in the UK), its colored

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10:18

031: Sparks - No. 1 in Heaven (1979) - My Other Voice

The Burning of the Midnight Amp ·

2025/08/05

In this episode we delve into “My Other Voice,” the fifth track from Sparks’ No. 1 in Heaven. For one of us, it’s a hidden jewel — or maybe not so hidden, given how powerfully it stands out. The song builds slowly, layering shimmering synths, reversed cymbals, and a deep, pulsating bassline before Russell’s voice finally enters in eerie harmony with a vocoder. It’s dark, cinematic, and oddly beautiful — like synth-noir set to music.We reflect on how the production creates a sense of ghostly

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11:52

030: Sparks - No. 1 in Heaven (1979) - Beat the Clock

The Burning of the Midnight Amp ·

2025/08/01

We're flipping the record and diving into Side B of No. 1 in Heaven with “Beat the Clock”—Sparks’ urgent, synth-charged sprint into the UK Top 10. It’s fast, frantic, and funny, with Giorgio Moroder’s production pushing the song into full disco overdrive.We talk about the iconic drum break, the song’s quirky origins, and its unusual 12-inch release—complete with colored vinyl and a Peter Cook promo skit. Is it the strongest track on the album? Maybe not. But it’s one hell of a ride.

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13:28

029: Sparks - No. 1 in Heaven (1979) - La Dolce Vita

The Burning of the Midnight Amp ·

2025/07/29

We’re back with La Dolce Vita, the third track on No. 1 in Heaven—and the first single released from Sparks’ landmark collaboration with Giorgio Moroder. Despite being the album’s public debut, the track remains something of a deep cut today.We give first impressions, explore the lush, cinematic atmosphere, and unpack the possible meaning behind the lyrics: is this a sugar-coated tale of male gold-diggers in 1970s Italy? Or just Sparks having fun with Fellini references and ironic excess? Either

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11:16

028: Sparks - No. 1 in Heaven (1979) - Academy Award...

The Burning of the Midnight Amp ·

2025/07/25

In this episode, we dive into Academy Award Performance, the lone track on No. 1 in Heaven written solely by Ron Mael. As the most “classic Sparks” song on the album, it stands out for its theatrical wit, irresistible chorus, and live drums—while still fitting within the album’s new electronic direction shaped by Giorgio Moroder.We reflect on the track’s origins, Ron's uncertain presence on the keys, the ironic brilliance of the lyrics, and its surprising status as the album’s only true “deep

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29:51

027: Sparks - No. 1 in Heaven (1979) - Tryouts for...

The Burning of the Midnight Amp ·

2025/07/22

We return to Sparks’ No. 1 in Heaven with a deep dive into its powerful opening track, Tryouts for the Human Race. But first—live show recaps! All three hosts recently saw Sparks live, and the energy, intimacy, and smiles were unforgettable. From personal highlights to Russell’s incredible stage presence, we reflect on how well Sparks’ music (both new and old) connects with modern audiences.Then it’s on to the main event—a breakdown of one of Sparks’ most dynamic and synth-driven songs. We explore

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34:50

026: Sparks - No. 1 in Heaven (1979) - Album history...

The Burning of the Midnight Amp ·

2025/07/18

Sparks go electronic! In this episode, we explore how Ron and Russell Mael ditched guitars, embraced synthesizers, and joined forces with Giorgio Moroder to craft No. 1 in Heaven—a dazzling, divisive leap into the future. We unpack the backstory, the Arista demos, the bold new sound, and the hit singles that brought them back to the charts.It’s disco, it’s synth-pop, it’s Sparks like you’ve never heard them before.A track-by-track-analysis of the individual songs on the album will follow in the next

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15:15

024: Sparks - Introducing Sparks (1977) - Those...

The Burning of the Midnight Amp ·

2025/07/15

In our final episode covering Introducing Sparks, we close with “Those Mysteries,” the ninth and final track on the album. A beautiful ballad and a true hidden gem, it’s a surprising and touching finale that stands out from the rest of the record. The panel agrees—it’s one of the highlights. We also wrap up with our overall thoughts on the album: where it succeeds, where it falters, and how it fits into the ever-evolving Sparks story.

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06:55

024: Sparks - Introducing Sparks (1977) - Over the...

The Burning of the Midnight Amp ·

2025/07/11

In this episode, we take a look at “Over the Summer,” the eighth track from Introducing Sparks. A sunny and surprisingly successful Beach Boys pastiche, the song taps into a warm California vibe that matches the album’s cover more than most of its tracks. Breezy, melodic, and nostalgic, this one hits the sweet spot for the panel—we like it!

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06:47

023: Sparks - Introducing Sparks (1977) - Girls on...

The Burning of the Midnight Amp ·

2025/07/08

In this episode, we tackle “Girls on the Brain,” the seventh track from Introducing Sparks from 1977. Sparks doing straight blues? It’s a curious turn—but for the panel, it doesn’t quite land. Musically and lyrically, it lacks the wit and spark we expect from the Mael brothers. One of the lesser tracks on the album? We think so. Do you agree?

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06:47

022: Sparks - Introducing Sparks (1977) - Goofing Off

The Burning of the Midnight Amp ·

2025/07/04

In this episode, we dive into “Goofing Off,” the sixth track from Introducing Sparks from 1977. Opening with a Cossack-style fiddle and an accelerating tempo, this track is a playful detour from the rest of the album’s polished pop sound. It’s bold, unexpected, and full of character—and the panel is all for it. A refreshing left turn that injects some much-needed quirkiness into the record.

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07:59

021: Sparks - Introducing Sparks (1977) - Forever Young

The Burning of the Midnight Amp ·

2025/07/01

In this episode, we explore “Forever Young,” the fifth track from Introducing Sparks from 1977. With its undeniably catchy melody, this track brings a burst of pop energy to the album. The panel is slightly divided—one find the verses stronger than the chorus and sees it as a highlight of the album so far. Hooky and polished, but is it truly memorable?

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06:22

020: Sparks - Introducing Sparks (1977) - I'm Not

The Burning of the Midnight Amp ·

2025/06/27

In this episode, we dig into “I'm Not,” the fourth track on Introducing Sparks. A welcome shift in tone, this song stands out with a rawer, more rock-driven sound compared to the album’s otherwise polished production. It’s less slick, more direct—and the panel is here for it. One of the highlights so far, “I'm Not” gives us a glimpse of the edge we’ve been missing.

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07:12

019: Sparks - Introducing Sparks (1977) - Ladies

The Burning of the Midnight Amp ·

2025/06/24

In this episode, we take a look at “Ladies,” the third track from Introducing Sparks. Lyrically, it’s classic Ron Mael—witty, quirky, and unmistakably Sparks. Musically, however, the panel finds it a bit underwhelming. With its pop-friendly structure and polished production, “Ladies” feels like it’s playing it a little too safe. Is the clever lyricism enough to carry the track, or does the lack of musical spark hold it back?

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08:52

018: Sparks - Introducing Sparks (1977) - Occupation

The Burning of the Midnight Amp ·

2025/06/20

We continue our track-by-track exploration of Introducing Sparks with the second song, “Occupation.” After a somewhat underwhelming opener, does the album start to find its footing here? “Occupation” brings more personality, sharper lyrics, and a stronger sense of what Sparks do best. At least one in the panel finds it a more intriguing track—quirky, layered, and hinting at the creative spark buried beneath the album’s glossy production.Is this where the album starts to show some potential?

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