Record Review: Spoon – Transference

Spoon is just one of those bands that keep getting better and better as they go on; their seventh release is living proof. The progression from their 1998 major label debut A Series of Sneaks up to Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga has been just staggering. Singer Britt Daniels has always had that unmistakable delivery and the gift for changing words like “ever” to “evah” and “nothing” to “nuffin”. Somewhere around early 2000 Spoon went from being a rock band from Austin to an indie soul band and this change has made all the difference. One could even compare Spoon to bands such as Wilco in this instance – another band constantly reinventing itself for the better.

With every new release Spoon always sounds fresh and exciting. It’s almost like I keep buying their records to see what they are going to do next. That brings us to lucky number 7. This time it’s self produced and that’s a step forward for the band. Some of the tracks are even demos which show just how talented this band is in the studio. If you are looking for catchy numbers like “The Underdog” or “You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb” prepare to be disappointed. This record will require several listens, but what Spoon record doesn’t?

Unlike most of their previous releases which come out swinging immediately Transference begins with a slow haunting number “Before Destruction”. From there they fall back in into the familiar Spooniness (is that a word?) of “Is Love Forever” – a raw two minute sliver of rock and roll like that the band has perfected throughout its career.

Spoon does not settle on old habits on this record though. While Ga x 5 was full of hooks and horns, and broadened the band’s appeal, Transference focuses more on textures and sonic landscapes with its raw guitar stabs and vocal echoes and swells. There are several awesome rockers on this record actually. “I Saw The Light”, “Written in Reverse” and “Trouble Comes Running” (which is one of the best Kinks impressions I’ve ever heard).

Some of the songs come in short bursts – just under three minutes. It sounds as if Spoon has finally mastered their studio craft and made what might sound like a mess into a masterpiece. Daniels’ voice is like an instrument in itself – sometimes calm whisper and sometimes a raspy siren. Sonically it’s very garage sounding, like they are literally playing in a garage. I think that is half the charm of this record as 2009 was all about being over produced and over hyped.

I’ve already seen some backlash regarding Transference. Listeners and critics are disappointed at the more stripped down sound and complain that it does not have all the bells and whistles found on their previous albums. They are right. This record does not have that polished quality they are looking for, but music was not meant to be listened to as short clips on Celebrity Rehab or The Hills.

Transference is Spoon’s most intimate record to date and possibly their most personal lyrically. The stark production is a perfect backdrop to these songs. This is definitely a step in the right direction for this band. With so little they can come up with so many different possibilities. This is the genius we all have come to love.

If you are a long time fan of Spoon then Transference will be just the thing you’ve been waiting for. If you are just getting into the band it’s still not a bad place to start because technically speaking this is sort of what they sounded like on their first two records, but better. While it lacks some of the hooks of songs like “The Underdog”, “Sister Jack” and “Everything Hits at Once” it is still worth the extra spins. This is the sound of a band at the top of their game. A great way to start off 2010 for sure.