Transference

Spoon | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 19, 2010)
• Original Release Date: January 19, 2010
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Merge Records
• ASIN: B002VDZIIS
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (54 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #45,531 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Transference is the seventh album from Spoon, their fifth on respected imprint Merge Records, and their first made without the help of an outside producer. It follows Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga, a U.S. top-10 album which received year-end best of accolades from NPR, PITCHFORK, ROLLING STONE, SPIN, THE ONION, NEW YORK, PASTE, and STEREOGUM, among others. It is released on CD and vinyl.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

68 of 76 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars 'Transference' makes perfect sense at this point in Spoon's catalog January 19, 2010

By Lee L. VINE™ VOICE

Format:Audio CD

I'd say Spoon is one of the most consistantly reliable indie bands out there today. They haven't put out a bad or mediocre album in over 15 years and I think they're at the point where the "Spoon" sound is whatever they say it is. If Transference had been their second or third record, or even if they had followed up Girls Can Tell with this album, I think most fans would be confused. Even though this album has caught me a little off guard, one thing is for sure, and that's that this album is a grower. I picked it up at a small indie store three days ago that usually (and quietly) sells new releases a day or two before the official release date. Since then I've listened to this record front to back about 7 times in the car and at work and the more I listen to it, the harder it is for me to think of it than anything else but the next logical step in Spoon's career.

Unlike the new Vampire Weekend record (which takes all of the bands quirks at turns them up to ten way too early in the band's career), Spoon smartly diverged from what people might have expected...especially if they're newcomers to the band. I think if they had made a record that sounded like the sequel to Gimme Fiction or Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga, they would have been accused of playing it safe and falling into a rut.

Rather than that, they went into the studio by themselves and found their essence I think. This is their seventh record and I think they've earned this kind of creative license. The important thing to remember is that just because these songs don't sound like classic Spoon songs at first doesn't mean they aren't. Songs like "The Mystery Zone," "I Saw the Light," and "Nobody Gets Me But You," couldn't have been written by any other band and will become (diehard) fan favorites in no time.

I'd be willing to bet that even though Transference isn't as immediately accessible as the last 3 or 4 albums, and thus may not be appreciated by newcomers quite so much, this record will be on plenty of top 10 lists at the end of the year. It should also make their live shows even better because when you put your headphones on, you really start to appreciate how catchy these songs are.

In closing...has Spoon ever done you wrong in the past? Of course not. Transference is no different.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Another winner from Spoon February 14, 2010

By John Alapick

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

Spoon's latest album, Transference, is another strong release from the indie rock band from Texas. Like their other albums such as Gimme Fiction and Girls Can Tell, the emphasis is on good songs and mood before over the top musicianship. There is also a lot of echo throughout, providing the feel of a release out of the late `70s. The opener "Before Destruction" is both sparse and full of sonics before kicking into three of the album's best tunes. "Is Love Forever?", "The Mystery Zone", and "Who Makes Your Money" are very strong tracks that are memorable from the get go while retaining a sense of melancholy. "Goodnight Laura" is a pretty piano ballad while "Got Nuffin" and "Trouble Comes Running" are raw and border on hard rock. "I Saw the Light" and the aforementioned "Who Makes Your Money" are both very moody and the vibe on each is hypnotic at times. The remaining tracks like "Out Go the Lights" and "Nobody Gets Me But You" are decent as well. All told, another winner from Spoon and well worth picking up or downloading.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Not bad but doesn't measure up to most previous records March 14, 2010

By J. P. Gatzek

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

I'm not sure if it's the songs, production, and/or sequencing but I don't think Transference measures up with Spoon's previous output. I've been a long-time fan of Spoon and have given Transference multiple listens but it's not one that I'll think to put on when I need a good dose of their music. Still, there are some tracks that I really enjoy including "The Mystery Zone", "I Saw The Light", "Out Go The Lights", and "Got Nuffin".