Pulling Rabbits Out of a Hat is the thirteenth studio album by American pop and rock duo Sparks, released in June 1984 by Atlantic Records. It was not very well received and failed to capitalise on the commercial success of their previous studio album In Outer Space (1983). The album developed the light synth-pop sound of In Outer Space but with slightly darker lyrics revolving around Ron Mael's favourite subject matter: relationships.
Release Pulling Rabbits Out of a Hat didn't make the U.S. Billboard 200. However, it did chart at No. 202 on the Billboard Bubbling Under the Top Pop Albums chart, which was considered disappointing given the popularity of their previous studio album In Outer Space (1983). In the UK, where the duo hadn't charted since 1979, the album was also unsuccessful.
Three singles were lifted from the album. The lead single, "With All My Might", reached No. 104 on Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles and made the Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart, where it peaked at No. 28.
Track listing
Personnel Credits are adapted from the Pulling Rabbits Out of a Hat liner notes.
Sparks Ron Mael – synthesizers (Roland JP-8, Yamaha DX7, Fairlight CMI) Russell Mael – vocals
Additional musicians Bob Haag – Endodyne guitars, Roland guitar synthesizers, backing vocals Leslie Bohem – bass, backing vocals David Kendrick – drums John Thomas – additional concert keyboards
Production and design Ian Little – production Steve Bates – engineering Brian Reeves, Dave Bianco, Mick Guzauski – mixing Ron Mael – cover concept Stan Watts – cover illustration Larry Vigon – art direction and design Jim Shea – photography Burt Hülpüsch – re-design
Charts Album Chart (1984) Peakposition US Billboard Bubbling Under the Top LPs 202
Singles
+ "With All My Might" Chart (1984) Peakposition US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles (Billboard) 104
+ "Progress" / "With All My Might" Chart (1984) Peakposition
+ "Pretending to Be Drunk" / "Kiss Me Quick" Chart (1984) Peakposition US Dance Club Songs (Billboard) 60
References
External links