Spoon, Transference

By Adam McIntyre

Definitive proof that there is a Spoon.

I wanted a little something different from Spoon this time, and instead of floundering, the Austin, Texas indie rock idols trimmed away some of their own clichés for some spare, sleek grooves.

I have to admire their confidence; surer footsteps were never danced. I mean that—about the dancing. The listening experience is evocative of being in near-darkness watching someone beautiful dancing, both uninhibited enough to be sexy and yet gracefully measured enough to be demure.

Transference sounds incredible, almost Peter Gabriel-like in the pristine production’s service to the almighty beat, with comforting, vibey moments of mono lo-fi recordings cut in for emphasis. The first two-thirds of the album are nearly infallible as individual packages, with the last bit of the record comprised of songs that would be considered pleasant even by harsher critics.

Give this record a listen any time you want the following: something sparse and yet interesting; something achingly lonely and yet danceably groovy; and something understated, yet beautiful.

Transference was released on January 19. Spoon are currently touring the UK and the US. To find out more, visit Spoon’s Official Website or MySpace page.