By 2007 Spoon had grown into one of the most quietly inventive and accomplished outfits in rock. Like 2005's excellent GIMME FICTION, GA GA GA GA GA is a winning combination of hook-heavy pop and post-punk angles driven by a unique piano-guitar interplay and singer Britt Daniels's expressive vocals. But Spoon's secret ingredient is their spare, often brilliant arrangements. Like a Japanese calligrapher drawing on rice paper, Spoon applies minimal lines and shading to make each song a meticulous pop universe full of texture and subtlety.
The ephemeral and appropriately haunting "The Ghost of You Lingers" is a fine example; its radically pared-down piano motif and elliptical melody sound like a cross between Terry Riley and Paul McCartney. "You Got Yr Cherry Bomb" employs a bouncy Motown groove and horns, proving Spoon as adept at driving grooves as atmospheric pop, a fact echoed in "The Underdog," one of the album's standout tracks. Those accustomed to rock's usual bombast might dismiss GA GA GA GA GA for its reservation and seeming simplicity, but a closer listen reveals an album of elegant, admirably artful pop.
Recording information: Cherokee And Ocean, Los Angeles, CA (09/2006-01/2007); Mob House, Austion (09/2006-01/2007); Public Hi-Fi (09/2006-01/2007).
Photographers: Philippe Migeat; Sean McCabe.
Spoon: Eric Harvey (keyboards); Rob Pope (bass guitar); Jim Eno, Britt Daniel.
Personnel: Britt Daniel (vocals); Billy White (flamenco guitar); Matthew Colecchi, Mike McCarthy (koto); John Catchings (cello); Jason Freese (saxophone); Ron Blake (trumpet); Francisco Torres (trombone); Jon Brion (chamberlin); Jim Eno (drums); Graham Hughes (background vocals).
Additional personnel: Tosca String Quartet (strings); Ron Blake (trumpet); Tommy Poole (horns); Jon Brion (bass guitar); Eggo Johanson (tambourine); Yasmine Kittles (background vocals); Francisco Torres, Graham Hughes, Matthew Colecchi, John Catchings, Mike McCarthy, Billy White, Jason Freese.
Rolling Stone (p.90) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "[S]piky, painstakingly detailed songs that deliver indie-pop payloads in less than four minutes..." Rolling Stone (p.108) - Included in Rolling Stone's "50 Top Albums of the Year 2007" -- "Spoon sound a lot like the very British, mid-Eighties XTC -- with the right amount of gravel in their paisley." Spin (p.104) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "The tug-of-war between bristly unavailability and candid confession mirrors a musical duel between post-punk snarls and genial pop charms.....Endlessly compelling." Entertainment Weekly (p.67) - "[With] an arsenal of hand claps, Motown-lifted tambourine bursts, music-hall piano lines, and bass levels that hover in the red." -- Grade: A- Uncut (p.95) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "[T]his is their most systematically infectious set yet....'Finer Feelings' turns on a subtly seductive guitar figure that is the quintessence of tone and touch." Alternative Press (p.163) - 3.5 stars out of 5 -- "[L]isten afresh to Spoon now hitting all their marks: The poignancy of such instrumental minimalism, the emotional weight of Daniel's odd phrasings, the seeming nonchalance." Q (Magazine) (p.80) - Ranked #25 in Q's "The 50 Best Albums Of 2007" -- "[Their] most elegant collection yet..."
Genius Spoon is a awesome and genius band. If you have enjoyed the last two albums," Kill the Moonlight" and "Gimme Fiction" you will definitely enjoy " Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga". This album is very catchy with their simple tunes and creative lyrics. It is the type of album that you will always want listen to all the time. Submitted by KatRam21 (Whittier, CA, USA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 0 of 1 found this helpful.
the best of the year Spoon, makes a perfect record,to enjoy in all places,his seconds versions of gimme fiction sounds more brillants, "finer feelings" is perfect like the clash song . Submitted by ebowzad (Lima Peru) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 0 of 1 found this helpful.
Album of the year? Ignite the feeling that this album invokes the desire to rock, lo-fi key style! I've heard them before, certainly won't be their last. Could be undeterred and underrated. If this is a sign, it could have moderate impact, if not more. Tracks 1 and 3 seem to be favs for me. It dies by track 10, but hey! Give em a try! Submitted by Hmmm (Edmonton, Alberta, CANADA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 0 of 1 found this helpful.
Not as good as Gimme Fiction, but still great Tight, minimalist indie rock/pop. Only criticism of their last two albums is that they seem to have abandoned the traditional writing structure seen in songs like "Lines in the Suit" that made GIRLS CAN TELL their breakthrough album. Not sure I like the brass on Cherry Bomb. I like the alt version on the bonus CD better. Submitted by Blacksod (Miami, FL USA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 0 of 1 found this helpful.
You say minimalist, I say boring I bought this based on a bunch of 4 and 5-star reviews, and was pretty disappointed. I thought it was going to be some sort of pop-rock masterpiece for the 21st Century. Well, I've listened several times and I haven't found a catchy tune yet. These guys sound to me like they started playing their instruments last week, and started writing songs yesterday.
If you want some really catchy pop-rock, get the latest Fountains of Wayne CD. Submitted by Steve (Tucson, AZ) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 0 of 1 found this helpful.
Genius
You say minimalist, I say boring
Share this Product