Spoon & Rafter

Mojave 3 | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 23, 2003)
• Original Release Date: 2003
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: 4ad / Ada
• ASIN: B0000ALSPP
• Also Available in: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #61,828 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Originally Release '03, Fourth album from the UK Modern folk rock band, includes the tracks "Billoddity" and "Bluebird of Happiness" which was aired on two episodes of The O.C. (The Heartbreak and The Telenovela respectively ).

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars They've Done it Again, Another Amazing Album, September 29, 2003

By 

All Wrapped Up in Books (Battle Ground, WA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Spoon & Rafter (Audio CD)

I have been listening to "Spoon and Rafter" for about a week now and I feel like I know it well enough to write a review. The style of this album is a marked departure from their past two albums, "Out of Tune" and "Excuses for Travellers," which epitomized the sun-drenched, blissed-out countrified pop sound. "Spoon and Rafter" throws some piano-driven rhythms and more experimental production into the mix. Glockenspiel and restrained synths, first heard on Neil Halstead's solo album, are also included.

Starlight No. 1 is an amazing pop song with an infectious chorus. "All up Above" is a beautiful song and features some of Mojave 3's trademark slide guitar work. Thanks to this album, I believe I have found one of the most beautiful and haunting songs I have ever heard, "Hard to Miss You." The piano line and fragile production are incredible and must be heard. Overall, "Spoon and Rafter" finds Mojave 3 stepping outside of their traditional sound and the results are truly amazing. Buy this album, you owe it to yourself.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely Beautiful, January 16, 2004

By 

Patrick McManaman (Jacksonville, FL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Spoon & Rafter (Audio CD)

If you don't own this album, you are missing out. If you have nothing by Mojave 3, then you are really missing out. They are amazing musicians. FYI, buy this and the last 2, they are very similar. Here are some words that best describe this album. Earnest, Intimate, Calm/Peaceful, Gentle, Bittersweet, Plaintive, Reflective, Delicate. Trust me, if these words describe the kind of music you like, then I guarantee you will be 100% satisfied. If your looking for other Alt-country type stuff, check out the following bands: Bellwether (home late), Beachwood Sparks, The Tyde, Thad Cockrell, Hem, Holopaw, etc. Hope these get added to your collection.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Music this good should be shared to the whole world, February 23, 2004

By 

Erik C. (Clifton Park, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Spoon & Rafter (Audio CD)

Imagine a long stretch of highway heading into the sunset under a cool breeze signaling the change from summer's bountiful life to autumn's shortening days. Now imagine a soundtrack for this event. It would be anything from Mojave 3, especially this record. For some reason, this album brings about stirring reflections of landscape, longing, and escape. Theres a rare sound that is described as flowing, country, folkish, ambient, and hauntingly beautiful and sad.
The album starts with "Bluebird of happiness", which seems like more of an album closer than an album opener, which somehow is how I think they wanted it to take place. This song, a beautiful epic song about longing for peace, is pace setter for the rest of the album. The rest of the album flows along, with some very strong songs and a few not so strong, but the last two songs, "Too many mornings", and "Between the bars", perhaps are the best written songs on the album. But all songs are musically and lyrically excellent...just a step up from the awesome "Out of tune" cd, and very different from the extreme mellow "Ask me tomorrow". I am still relatively new with this band, but I can say their music is incredibly infectious, and the sound is definitely something I long for. No, this music is not depressing...but meaningful, and hopeful.
A must have cd, as is all cds by this artist. The mainstream has yet to find artists this sincerely talented...Perhaps thats what us real music lovers want...But its a shame not to share music this good to the world.