Spoon have just released their tenth album. It’s excellent. Just like all their others. They are remarkably consistent with a distinct sound. A neat five piece, performing well constructed, medium paced songs without any muso pyrotechnics. They exude warmth, intimacy and gently tug on heart strings. They don’t do big stadium choruses. Their albums reward multiple listens because of the little details, especially in the percussion department. Remarkably, only two members have been present all along, the drummer, Jim Eno and singer-guitarist, Britt Daniel. Many others have rotated through the bass strap, the keys stool and the second guitar, but all have adopted the Spoon character perfectly. Their heroes are The Heartbreakers, another band renowned for their consistency.
The new one is called Lucifer On The Sofa and they drafted in the Queens Of The Stone Age producer for a harder edge. He hasn’t made much difference. Still, as I say, it’s excellent and will keep me going until the next one.
The Hardest Cut
I listened to that album last week. Heard of them, but never heard them before.
I really liked it and will be investigating their back catalogue. Any recommended highlights?
Apart from the first album, all their albums are good but gimme fiction and Ga ga ga ga ga are the ones with the *hits.
*a few of the tracks popped up in tv/films a lot.
Same here…somehow managed to avoid them for the last 20+ odd years and catching up now. Particular favourites (as well as the new one) are Hot Thoughts (a bit more experimental) and They Want My Soul.
Plenty more to get through. I love it when this happens.
Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga is probably their best.
That really grabbed me. I do like a glammy stomp, me. Will investigate further. Thanks, Tiggs!
A naysayer here. I had some of the LPs, Hot Thoughts, They Want My Soul and a couple of others who’s titles I forget. But when I carried out one of my collection culls I played the LPs but decided I didn’t want them anymore. I’ve listened to the new one (not 6 times Tiggs) but it did nothing for me.
My views are not meant to detract from those fans who like the band enjoyment.
What do you make of The Heartbreakers, @Baron-Harkonnen?
I presume you mean Johnny Thunders gang as opposed to the late great Tom Petty’s mob Tiggs.
I’ve never really listened to them, I was never a fan of that New York glam scene, although I’m willing to follow up any recommendations.
Like others above, the name was familiar, but the music not. In my mind I probably store them in a similar place to Tool – single syllable US bands of long duration and keen fanbase, but not high profile.
I have to say that was great – motorik beat and punchy guitars – the sort of rough punk blues I enjoy. Digging very shallowly into YouTube I came across this from a few years back where they seem to be channeling Portishead (kind of). Also a good listen
Nice one, Tig!