In this episode, we discuss Introducing Sparks, an album that marked another turning point for Ron and Russell Mael. Under pressure from Columbia Records to deliver a follow-up, the brothers—now without a full band—were paired with top-tier studio musicians for a polished, label-driven production. The experience left them cold, and the album was largely ignored for decades.

But is Introducing Sparks really the misfire it’s made out to be? Or are there overlooked gems buried beneath the slick surface? The panel takes a closer look at the album as a whole—before diving into the individual tracks in upcoming episodes.