Customer Reviews

Transference

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(19)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

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.

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.

Chances are on first 3 or 4 listens you will wonder what they are up to here. But give it some time. They are clearing a new path. In doing so, sometimes the path is not to your liking. Well.....go listen to something else for awhile. But when you return, you will see what I mean.

i've been a spoon fan for a number of years. i was so excited to listen to this album and on first listen i kinda of just went "meh." however, like with most things i knew that i couldn't rush to judge and i let this album play on repeat for a few listens. after the 3rd or 4th spin this album really hit me! now i don't go a day without listening at least twice through. its true what people say about it not immediately grabbing you with hooks and melodies like ga and gimme did, but they are there in abundance on this album nonetheless. they are buried a little deeper and the grooves they hit are amazing. i can't wait to see what they do next.

I caught on to Spoon late...just about the time Gimme came out. I went backwards, however, and listened to everything from Series on up to give myself some context. They hit gold with Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga, not only in their refined sound and incredibly Spoon feel, but in the flow of the album itself. I found it hard to shuffle Ga, or listen to individual tracks...the album flowed so well together. I find this is the same for Transfer. Their singles, like Written in Reverse and Got Nuffin' sound fine on their own, but you hear them out of context with the rest of the album. If you listen to everything in order, front to back, you'll get a lot more out of this than you would if you only ran through the songs, or shuffled. It's almost as if each track relies on the context of the next and previous...but when the next comes along, the current is entirely erased from memory by what the new one is doing. Spoon touched this effect with Gimme, mastered it with Ga, and it's part of them with Transfer.

I really can't wait to see what they do next.

Been a Spoon fan ever since I got into the "Girls Can Tell" album. Now I own Gimme Fiction, Ga Ga Ga Ga, Girls Can Tell, Transference, and some singles. I was a little unimpressed with the album, to be honest. There are glimpses of Spoon greatness, but 4 or 5 of the tracks I heard I responded with a "hmm, ok."

They were definitely trying to take a lot of different angles with the tracks in this release. Even the witty lyricized "Written in Reverse" gets annoying with the constant yelling of Britt. Overall, this is probably a 4, b/c Spoon is so high in relation to other bands in the music industry. But if I compare Spoon to their own product and talent ability, I give this album a 3/5. If you're a Spoon fan it's worth having, but if you're taking a look at this band for the first time, try an older album, "Ga Ga Ga Ga" and "Gimme Fiction" are solid choices to start with.

-Ryan 22, Chicago IL

After three or four listens this is becoming one of my favorite Spoon albums. The album sounds more like their early stuff with some new . A little less polish, a little more soul. I like the fact that they didn't play it safe with another super easy-listening pop album. This one challenges you. Goodnight Laura sounds unlike anything they've done before. Nobody gets me but you is an instant classic. Could be the single. So could Written in reverse or mystery zone. Go back and listen to Ghost of you Lingers, that song could have been on this album. As of right now, the albums I like the most are Gimme Fiction, this one, and Girls can tell. But I wouldn't kick any of them out of bed for eating crackers.

How is this band not HUGE!? Almost every Spoon album is amazing and this ranks right at the top with K.T.M, G.C.T, and G.M.F. In particular songs like - The Mystery Zone, Got Nuffin, I Saw the Light, Is Lover Forever. You can't go wrong with this album.

All of these people claiming to be longtime fans and saying they can't get this album are crazy! Sure it's not Gax5 or Gimme Fiction but who wants a repeat of that. I'm tired of seeing good indie bands sell out (i.e. Kings of Leon, Modest Mouse). Sure this is a more subdued effort but after letting this soak in it has some really great tracks. "Nobody gets me but you" is simply an amazing slow burner. Is Love Forever, The Mystery Zone, Written in Reverse, Trouble Comes Running, and Out Go the Lights are great as well. Trouble Comes Running is an uptempo gem. Check this CD out - I like the fact it is subdued as it gives a transparent view of the band.

Good album. Personally I prefer Gimme Fiction over Ga5x and to me this record, despite maintaining it's own identity and exhibiting growth, is a bit of a return to that Gimme Fiction feel. It doesn't seem to stick with you though... I kinda forgot I had it.