Customer Reviews

Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga

5 star:		(40)
4 star:		(20)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Life might be full of disappointments but, quite on the contrary, through the years Spoon have proved a reliable source of enjoyment for me.

You might ask: what separates this band from thousands of other samey so-called indie bands? Lo-fi sound & look? checked. Praise from Pitchfork? Checked. Casual name-dropping by other indie acts/scenesters? Checked. Still, despite all evidence of the contrary, Spoon really manage to be one of a kind.
What makes them stand apart is what I used to call their trademark "coitus interruptus" sound, meaning infectious hooks that never really takes off and turn into a full-fledged chorus, remaining instead a hint, a tease to the ear.
This was especially apparent on one of their previous LPs, "Kill the moonlight", also a favourite of mine (not to say, the album through which I convinced most of my friends that this was truly a great band).
Beware, it is true that this album makes a few concessions to the classic song structure, thus slightly deviating from the aforementioned c.t. sound but, in the end, it's still there. Melodies that all sudden swerve to a different direction, riffs that instead of exploding into the boombastic apex you'd expext, implode or morph into something else.

I love this band and I think that this album will easily prove to be one of my favourite of the year (along with Blitzen Trapper's 'Wild Mountain Nation', for those interested).

(Ga X 5)offers a logical progression in Spoon's already impressive discography. If critics level any criticism at this new album, most likely it will involve damning Spoon's consistency because there aren't any geniune surprises on this album. Well, so what? I consider their ability to put out one satisfying album after another surprise enough. They've found their niche---oblique, angular, and aurally textured pop-rock---and I think they're wise to stick to it.

(Ga X 5) successfully offers a hybrid of the sounds from the last few albums (Kill the Moonlight and Gimme Fiction) and as usual you can detect the often-noted influences ranging from the Kinks to Wire to, yes, Van Morrison (give "The Underdog" a spin to hear the VM influence.) Granted, the disc is short, clocking in at just over 30 minutes, but this is also in a way a sign of the band's restraint. They know what they do well, and here they're at the zenith of their powers. Even the odder, more difficult and cubist tracks in the record's middle dintinguish themselves as worthy slow-burners after repeated listens.

In short, definitely one of their best discs. You won't be disappointed. I hope they continue making discs like this for many years to come.

I'll start this review by first saying that I've never even bought nor heard a full Spoon album prior to purchasing the exceptional GA GA GA GA GA. What turned me on to the band was a promotional download I received for the single from Spoon's GIMME FICTION, "I Turn My Camera On". I missed out on actually buying GIMME FICTION (which I still want to pick it up), but I didn't want to miss the opportunity to buy the much anticipated follow-up album. It is brief, but despite its brevity, it is consistent from top to bottom, beginning to finish. Can you say f@#&!*) brilliant?

My favorite numbers here are "Don't Make Me A Target" which serves as an exceptional opener. "The Ghost Of You Lingers" is incredibly outside of the box, but the piano-centric production and the indie-quality of the track are unmistakibly brilliant. What is most potent for me concerning "Don't Make Me A Target" is the fact that it may be the most credible tone-poem I've heard for a while; the reverb with Britt Daniel's vocals represents the sound of a ghost. "Don't You Evah" and "Rhythm and Soul" are great as well but nothing steals the thunder of the absolutely marvelous Jon Brion (the man's a genius) helmed "Underdog" which gives Spoon's infectious "I Turn My Camera On" a serious run for its money, and that is saying a lot. Though I've lauded specific tracks, I think the album as a whole is a masterpiece, specifically for all us guys who have a soft-spot in our musical hearts for indie-rock music. One of 2007's best is presented via GA GA GA GA GA ladies and gents! 4 stars.

With the release of "Gimme Fiction" in 2005, I was convinced Spoon had made their masterpiece. It was the perfect combination of previously established elements: the sketch-like song structure and wild experimentation of 2002's "Kill the Moonlight" coupled with the flat-out cathartic pop of 2001's "Girls Can Tell." The songs (penned by vocalist/guitarist Britt Daniel) were simple and direct, yet imbued with an intensity of emotion not often found in modern music (or at least not as genuinely). The record was Daniel's shining moment as a songwriter; his definitive musical statement, one I thought he'd struggle to re-create throughout the rest of his sure to be long career. I never dreamt in a million years that he'd somehow surpass it. Especially on the follow-up album.

"Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga" is that culmination, a record of monumental emotional depth that also manages to genuinely rock. While listening to tracks like the Jon Brion produced "The Underdog," it's apparent that Spoon is yet again breaking new ground, opening up their sound and exploring new territory while still adhering to the tried and true "Spoon" philosophy: simple and direct song-writing that packs an emotional punch. If you're tired of the vacuous music populating today's airwaves then give "Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga" a spin. You won't be disappointed.

The Pixies ruled the '80's, Pavement ruled the '90's and Spoon is ruling this century.

They found it in commercial appeal this time. Spoon is a band of singular vision whose idiosyncracies should actually make them one of the biggest bands in the States. Sadly, another straight classic will largely be ignored by the public. "The Underdog", "Finer Feelings", and "Don't You Evah" are hooky singles that deserve heavy radio rotation and ringtone ubiquity. Do us all a favor, buy, listen, love.

Swinging and sleek, sharp, minimal and sweet, Spoon is the best rock and roll band on the planet.

Although they started out loud and angular, Spoon has mellowed into fine and precise pop craftsman, in the best tradition of mid-60s Beatles and Rolling Stones. Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga--at 'round about half an hour--crams in Motown rhythms, power-pop melodies, experimental flourishes and even a Mariachi band without ever sounding overdone.

Spoon-Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga *****

Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga was easily tied for album of the year in 2007 with Radioheads In Rainbows. Not only was this Spoons first album to get popular recognition, but it is also their best. While they may have hinted at greatness before, it wasn't until the release of Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga, that the masses saw what some of us had known for a long while. Bridging the gap between indie, post-punk, and pop all at the same time Spoon have created a style almost all their own, and Ga is their best example of this.

The only other group that I can even stretch to compare to Spoon is The Fratelis, and as I said that is a stretch, a real big one. Their songs are cheerful, even if the message is gloomy, as in 'The Underdog' the albums lead single and possible strongest track. 'The Ghost Of You Lingers' boarders on brilliant while 'My Little Japanese Cigarette Case' contains some of the best lyrics written this side of Bob Dylan's Modern Times. 'Don't You Evah' is seriously British with a hint of soul, and a splash of funk for good measure. The song contains one killer groove as brought on by bassist Rob Pope.

Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga is with out a doubt one of the strongest albums to come along in the last twenty years, and is a close runner for the best album to come out since 2000. I'm glad Spoon has finally reached the masses, I just hope the success doesn't go to their head and ruin the great music they have been making all these years.

Killer album delivered DRM free from a worthy new competitor to iTunes. Nice work Amazon.

But the big question: What is on the bonus disc. This is from the comments:

Brian Bonenberger says: Bonus Disc "Get Nice"

Tracklist:

I Got Mine
Be Still My Servant
Leave Your Effects Where They're Easily Seen
I Summon You (Cool)
Mean Mad Margaret
Love Makes You Feel
You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb
Tasty Fish
Dracula's Cigarette
1975
I Can Feel It Fade Like An AM Single
Curfew Tolls

The disc is 22 minutes long and contains instrumentals, demos and alternate takes. The "Cool" version of "I Summon You" is great and makes the bonus disc worth it.