― Zeno, Thursday, 17 May 2007 15:25 (3 years ago) Permalink
― Zeno, Thursday, 17 May 2007 15:26 (3 years ago) Permalink
― Zeno, Thursday, 17 May 2007 15:27 (3 years ago) Permalink
the combination between Wire and Billy Joel probably
― Ned Raggett, Thursday, 17 May 2007 15:27 (3 years ago) Permalink
― Alfred, Lord Sotosyn, Thursday, 17 May 2007 15:30 (3 years ago) Permalink
― Zeno, Thursday, 17 May 2007 15:31 (3 years ago) Permalink
― Zeno, Thursday, 17 May 2007 15:37 (3 years ago) Permalink
― Alfred, Lord Sotosyn, Thursday, 17 May 2007 15:38 (3 years ago) Permalink
― Mr. Que, Thursday, 17 May 2007 15:39 (3 years ago) Permalink
― jaymc, Thursday, 17 May 2007 16:05 (3 years ago) Permalink
― Viz, Thursday, 17 May 2007 17:01 (3 years ago) Permalink
― Alfred, Lord Sotosyn, Thursday, 17 May 2007 17:05 (3 years ago) Permalink
― MC, Thursday, 17 May 2007 17:28 (3 years ago) Permalink
― Alfred, Lord Sotosyn, Thursday, 17 May 2007 17:33 (3 years ago) Permalink
― Ned Raggett, Thursday, 17 May 2007 17:35 (3 years ago) Permalink
― M.V., Thursday, 17 May 2007 17:46 (3 years ago) Permalink
― MC, Thursday, 17 May 2007 17:48 (3 years ago) Permalink
― neustile, Thursday, 17 May 2007 17:49 (3 years ago) Permalink
― MC, Thursday, 17 May 2007 17:49 (3 years ago) Permalink
― Ned Raggett, Thursday, 17 May 2007 17:51 (3 years ago) Permalink
― strongohulkington, Thursday, 17 May 2007 17:52 (3 years ago) Permalink
― Zeno, Thursday, 17 May 2007 17:56 (3 years ago) Permalink
― Ned Raggett, Thursday, 17 May 2007 17:57 (3 years ago) Permalink
― paulhw, Friday, 18 May 2007 17:58 (3 years ago) Permalink
― Jordan, Friday, 18 May 2007 18:02 (3 years ago) Permalink
I like "Don't You Evah" the best so far
― neustile, Friday, 18 May 2007 19:25 (3 years ago) Permalink
a new spoon album is always a treat, this is very good
i like the architect comment above, it's very true--spoon are very angular, precise, and symmetrical with their guitar pop
― cutty, Friday, 18 May 2007 22:28 (3 years ago) Permalink
"Don't You Evah" is my favorite too.
I'm liking the album more every time I hear it, but I don't think I'll ever love it like the last three. But it's quite good, definitely one of the better records I've heard in the 2007s.
― Mr. Perpetua, Friday, 18 May 2007 23:33 (3 years ago) Permalink
I saw them live last year and... they need to stop playing guitar solos live. Or hire a lead guitarist.
― Matt Armstrong, Saturday, 19 May 2007 00:56 (3 years ago) Permalink
Dude I love those skronky solos.
They don't even really captivate me or anything but somehow I've seen them like 4 times.
I'm looking forward to this, and as a sub-fan & reviewer of all the albums
the combination between Wire and Billy Joel
is probably the best description of their sound I've ever heard.
― BIG HOOS aka the steendriver, Saturday, 19 May 2007 01:00 (3 years ago) Permalink
I've seen the "wire/billy Joel" thing here before and think it makes no sense, because Billy Joel is unimaginable without Billy Joel. It basically means "uses a piano, voice is high in the mix". Spoon does not have the sub-dylan verbal diarrhea thing going, nor the wtf anger/self-righteousness. You can't imagine them smashing a drum set in Moscow.
Fucking formalists. Well, yeah, they are formalists, and there's another post in this thread that also emphasizes that--they "show how the song is constructed", that's formalism also. There's a formula to a lot of Spoon songs--find a groove, sing some semi-abstract lyrics, say "uh-huh" and "yeah" a lot, add gratuitous noise/effects, and take it somewhere unexpected (to the extent this can be part of a formula!), either by key change, or often by a long-delayed crescendo. It works for me about 90% of the time.
― These Robust Cookies, Saturday, 19 May 2007 18:44 (3 years ago) Permalink
Yeah, I quite dig the 'form' myself. Even when I can anticipate what's going to happen, it still sounds great when it does.
Digging this new one so far...
― Manalishi, Saturday, 19 May 2007 19:02 (3 years ago) Permalink
I've seen the "wire/billy Joel" thing here before
I gotta take credit for that one, sorry.
― da croupier, Saturday, 19 May 2007 19:12 (3 years ago) Permalink
Think "Still Rock'n'Roll To Me"
― da croupier, Saturday, 19 May 2007 19:14 (3 years ago) Permalink
Never really listened to their records, but I was pretty disappointed by their live show. Maybe it's because I had high expectations, or that it was outdoors, or that the audience was full of douchebags, but there was something about the minimalism that didn't work for me. It was very "rock band-y" and the whole set was awfully homogeneous.
― St3ve Go1db3rg, Saturday, 19 May 2007 19:19 (3 years ago) Permalink
x-post on "still rock'n roll" Yeah, compare that to "You've Gotta Feel It," count the words, note Spoon's absence of weirdly defensive hostility, obvious rhymes, need to "say something" about rock history, etc. Yes, the drums are loud and their voices occupy a similar frequency range and are high in the mix.
I wouldn't expect them to be that good live, as their records are very much studio products... never seen 'em, except on "austin city limits," which was extremely dull.
― These Robust Cookies, Saturday, 19 May 2007 19:22 (3 years ago) Permalink
Yeah, and they didn't marry Christie Brinkley either. It's more that what ISN'T Wire about Spoon is kinda Joel-ish, even if they haven't rapped about world history yet.
― da croupier, Saturday, 19 May 2007 19:32 (3 years ago) Permalink
Oh yeah, and I would add to the "formula," along with key changes and excessively delayed crescendos/climaxes, throwing in extra beats e.g. moving to 5/4 for a bit. All this differentiates them from standard power pop, in a way that can be a bit contrived, but nonetheless works for me.
― These Robust Cookies, Saturday, 19 May 2007 19:34 (3 years ago) Permalink
How many Spoon songs have real solos? I mean, very few! "Beast and Dragon, Adored" has one, but it's all skronky and rad.
― Mr. Perpetua, Saturday, 19 May 2007 19:59 (3 years ago) Permalink
Also, These Robust Cookies -- Spoon are actually quite good live, and what you might be taking as the records being "very much studio products" is actually Eno and Daniel replicating the effect of how they sound in live performance without being super-literal about it.
― Mr. Perpetua, Saturday, 19 May 2007 20:06 (3 years ago) Permalink
This album isn't willful obscurity -- it's obscure obscurity. I don't think he's figured out what the hell he's trying to say, or even if he's saying anything at all, and thus the increasingly rococo arrangements.
― Alfred, Lord Sotosyn, Saturday, 19 May 2007 20:31 (3 years ago) Permalink
ok, after several listens i can say this: very very good, much more poppier than their otehr records,and got also 60's influence on "cherry bomb" and "underdog" (phil spector) and on the last track,"black like me" that sounds like a tribute to "day in the life" by the beatles (the keyboards and especially the bombastic outro),those 3 songs are Spoon trying to combine the minimal with the bombastic, and they do it quite well. the rest is more or less "gimme fiction" part 2, which is great if you ask me.and it's even more melodic."rhthm and soul" sounds like the single to me. oh,and theres also "ghost of u linger" with all it's melodic experiment greatness. "eddie's ragga" and "cigarette case" are kinda weak though.
― Zeno, Saturday, 19 May 2007 20:38 (3 years ago) Permalink
about the "wire/billy joel" thing: i've twist it a little from the original which was "nirvana/billy joel" ,if my memory don't betray me.
― Zeno, Saturday, 19 May 2007 20:58 (3 years ago) Permalink
I'm on their email list and got the impression that they write a lot of their stuff in the studio, but I have no idea what the relationship between live/studio is--I just think the sound of the albums, with all the junk they throw in, is pretty integral to what makes it work for me (even though the mastering of the last album was dreadful--like most stuff these days--still the drum sound was great).
Looking forward to the new one.
― These Robust Cookies, Saturday, 19 May 2007 21:03 (3 years ago) Permalink
Yes, they do "breaks," not solos. For which I am most grateful.
― These Robust Cookies, Saturday, 19 May 2007 21:04 (3 years ago) Permalink
The melody of Cherry Bomb reminds me favorably of "Dreaming" by Blondie
― Manalishi, Saturday, 19 May 2007 22:07 (3 years ago) Permalink
I dig the horns.
― Binjominia, Saturday, 19 May 2007 22:34 (3 years ago) Permalink
OK, yeah, so I just listened to this again while driving around on a beautiful spring night with the windows down, and I've decided that I love this record. I didn't buy the last few, but I'll be buying this one. It's the most subtly psychedelic indie rock record I've heard in a long time. You get to the end of side one and you're all 'wow,' but then side two is even better. Right now I'm obsessed with "Eddie's Ragga" - how every once in a while the staccato chords change from all reverb-ed out to totally dry, but just for one slash on the guitar, before going back to being all Phil Spector and shit. Very stoney. Those crying 'Billy Joel' have a good case with "The Underdog," which also happens to be one of the best songs on the record. My wife (a longtime Spoon fan) says it reminds her of The Zombies in places, and at first I was all "bitch you crazy" but then I kinda heard what she was talking about. Also, the drum sound is outstanding. Anyway enough rambling, just my two cents. Great record!
― Manalishi, Sunday, 20 May 2007 01:46 (3 years ago) Permalink
not like it's the most amazing comparison, but here's the first time on ILX this analogy came up: spoon: C/D and S/D
― da croupier, Sunday, 20 May 2007 16:21 (3 years ago) Permalink
to drive that B. Joel thing into the ground: in my recurring fantasy in which young bands write songs for old people who forgot how to write songs, Spoon gave "Sister Jack" to Billy Joel which he then used as a fantastically successful "comeback" single. I think about this often. I have a video concept as well.
That is all.
― smash your phonograph in half, Sunday, 20 May 2007 16:58 (3 years ago) Permalink
did you think they were good not great until you realized that you had been listening to them way too much for you not to be a mega spoon fan?
cuz that's what im at right about now.
― Jordan Sargent, Sunday, 30 September 2007 00:13 (2 years ago) Permalink
yeah, that's exactly how it went for me, too! I was making a playlist to listen to while I cleaned up, and I decided to add some Spoon to it, and before I knew what was happening I had about 25 Spoon songs in a row.
have you had the moment yet where you realize that "Metal Detektor" is easily in the top 5 songs they've ever done? because that was a big breakthrough for me.
― bernard snowy, Sunday, 30 September 2007 00:17 (2 years ago) Permalink
not yet but i had the moment earlier today where i realized that 'stay don't go' is easily one of my 3 favorite songs by them.
i like 'metal detektor' a lot tho.
― Jordan Sargent, Sunday, 30 September 2007 00:27 (2 years ago) Permalink
SNL next week. huh.
― Tape Store, Sunday, 30 September 2007 03:57 (2 years ago) Permalink
The Poms squad was dancing to Spoon the other day.
― Tape Store, Friday, 23 November 2007 06:52 (2 years ago) Permalink
I heard 'Underdog' as bumper music during the Cowboys game.
― fukasaku tollbooth, Friday, 23 November 2007 22:14 (2 years ago) Permalink
the talkback jim the talkback
― three handclaps, Saturday, 24 November 2007 18:26 (2 years ago) Permalink
I heard only a little bit of them a few years ago (and I subsequently ignored them) but only recently heard this album. Some terrific songs on it though the faux-English singing accent almost makes me want to describe them as "Third Eye Blind w/ indie cred," just to be outrageous.
I had a friend in HS who absolutely loved them, and imitated the singing voice; his voice was too deep though and he ended up sounding like a drunken Mark Burgess. Good times.
― Cunga, Tuesday, 1 January 2008 06:13 (2 years ago) Permalink
My friend's 55-ish dad who heard this in my car when I took him to the airport says this is good because, "It's not throwing everything in your face. They're just singin' a song, you know?" Sounds about right.
― The Reverend, Tuesday, 1 January 2008 17:04 (2 years ago) Permalink
that's an awesome take on Spoon.
― stephen, Tuesday, 1 January 2008 21:25 (2 years ago) Permalink
almost makes me want to describe them as "Third Eye Blind w/ indie cred,"
the first couple of times I heard them (either something from the major label release or maybe "Me & the Bean" from GCT) I was thinking 'geez this is some vanilla-ass post-alterna boom yawn rock. Nothing to see here.' It took me a little while to come around, and I credit KTM for helping me out with that.
― will, Tuesday, 1 January 2008 21:42 (2 years ago) Permalink
I think this record has their best songs.
― Scik Mouthy, Thursday, 19 June 2008 08:19 (2 years ago) Permalink
it's good. quite short. i'd like to see a Spoon best of.
― the next grozart, Thursday, 19 June 2008 08:47 (2 years ago) Permalink
my favorite may actually be Girls Can Tell, but i've been following these guys locally since 1996 or so. this record is pretty good though, another strong batch of songs, great production, etc.
― stephen, Thursday, 19 June 2008 19:10 (2 years ago) Permalink
they haven't disappointed yet, second or third best band going right now.
― Bee OK, Friday, 20 June 2008 05:16 (2 years ago) Permalink
i really love how this is produced
nick's probably right, but GF is still my fav by them i think
― J0rdan S., Monday, 23 June 2008 05:18 (2 years ago) Permalink
I just don't feel that this deserved to be on so many of last years 'Best Albums of 2007' blog lists. It was alright but...pfft.
― VeronaInTheClub, Tuesday, 24 June 2008 14:46 (2 years ago) Permalink
The rapper Black Nasty opening for Spoon? What an odd pairing.
― Daniel, Esq., Monday, 25 May 2009 03:45 (1 year ago) Permalink
NEW SPOON!
http://spoon.shop.musictoday.com/Dept.aspx?cp=691_21425
Got Nuffin is Spoon's first newly recorded material since 2007's Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga.
This three-song single features:
Got NuffinTweakersStroke Their Brains
OUT TUESDAY, 6/30!
― Bee OK, Friday, 26 June 2009 23:13 (1 year ago) Permalink
"Tract housesSquare couchesShort legs and square shouldersPot holdersEgg and soldiersY'tank rollersYou aaaall know this"
Best pure rock album of the 00s?
― David Katz (davek_00), Sunday, 6 September 2009 00:33 (11 months ago) Permalink
no
― call all destroyer, Sunday, 6 September 2009 00:49 (11 months ago) Permalink
lol. Spoon's very good, tho.
― Daniel, Esq., Sunday, 6 September 2009 00:51 (11 months ago) Permalink
they made four albums prior to this one that are better.
― call all destroyer, Sunday, 6 September 2009 00:55 (11 months ago) Permalink
idk i feel like they're all diff from each other that u can't really compare
― BIG HOOS aka the steendriver, Sunday, 6 September 2009 00:55 (11 months ago) Permalink
I feel like they are all pretty awesome and they can all be equally great
― iatee, Sunday, 6 September 2009 00:58 (11 months ago) Permalink
i basically agree and ga was the first one that felt to me like they were repeating themselves. i should also say i loathe jon brion and he ruined one of the album's better songs.
― call all destroyer, Sunday, 6 September 2009 00:59 (11 months ago) Permalink
Yes.
― I just wish he hadn't adopted the "ilxor" moniker (ilxor), Monday, 7 September 2009 02:43 (11 months ago) Permalink
gimme fiction > this one
― Mr. Big Boy Talk (surfboard dudes get wiped out, totally), Monday, 7 September 2009 03:06 (11 months ago) Permalink
this is a killer album but lol @ the idea of it being a "pure rock" record
― pretzel walrus, Monday, 7 September 2009 03:51 (11 months ago) Permalink
haha I actually think this too. LET THE BRICKBATS FLY
― if I don't see more dissent, I'm going to have to check myself in (Matos W.K.), Monday, 7 September 2009 06:58 (11 months ago) Permalink
This is the first spoon record I heard and it remains my favourite. Don't you just hate it when that happens? "Hey a whole new rich seam of great music for me to discover! Oh it's all not quite as good as what I heard first."
― #̶̟̰̖͍͊̿͛̆̉̽#̷͖͓̞̫̹͈̬̦̌͗ͫ̐ͧ̇̌͗́͡#̫̓̌̿̀̿ͪ#̻̄̃͗ͬ̍͝͞#̽͑ͤ́͒͜҉̧̙̩͙̻ (ledge), Monday, 7 September 2009 09:06 (11 months ago) Permalink
^ sorry for stupid display name crap that i hate
― ledge, Monday, 7 September 2009 09:14 (11 months ago) Permalink
This albums okay just like all their albums are okay...
― ColinO, Monday, 7 September 2009 15:25 (11 months ago) Permalink
album's
― ColinO, Monday, 7 September 2009 15:26 (11 months ago) Permalink
In a world where Merriweather Post Pavilion has become arguably the default for indie rock (the current centre of its universe), Spoon is about as close to an original concept or loci for 'rock music' as you can get. Who honestly rises above Spoon in the 00s straight rock stakes? They have a terrific sense of songcraft, they're in tune with music history past and present (say rhythm and blues, dub, new wave, electronic music at a stretch) like a lot of the best straight rock bands down the years, and they have a proper back catalogue with something for everyone.
I know all these Pitchfork/blogosphere sacred cows are pretty unfashionable around here...just thought I should contribute more to the discussion than a verse from 'Rhthm and Soul'.
And yeah for the Matos agreement!
― David Katz (davek_00), Monday, 7 September 2009 16:44 (11 months ago) Permalink
i dont get what is minimalist abt this?
― plaxico (I know, right?), Wednesday, 10 February 2010 01:18 (6 months ago) Permalink
nothing really. "minimal" was the big talking point for spoon in the past but this is the album to which it least applies imo
― call all destroyer, Wednesday, 10 February 2010 01:24 (6 months ago) Permalink