Review by Gavin Breeden: Spoon continues their consistently high quality of output with the self-produced Transference, an album noticeably looser than previous Spoon records. In fact, some of these cuts are so loose and unformed that they have a raw, demo-like sound to them—and some of them are in fact demos. Which is remarkable (and somewhat refreshing) coming from a band whose last album, 2007's peculiarly titled Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga, is so carefully crafted that even the studio affects that surface throughout seem rigidly planned. That's not a bad thing either; Ga Ga is a record focused on pop songcraft, and it remains a high point in the Spoon discography.

Transference would seem a departure from that polished sound, but a closer listen reveals a surprising intricacy, confirming once again that Spoon is a devout studio band. Consider how Britt Daniels and Co. toy with the vocals on "Is Love Forever?" and "Who Makes Your Money," cutting and splicing the words—sometimes mid-phrase—in strange and unexpected ways. Then there's closer "Nobody Gets Me But You," which opens with a tight bass hook but gives way to Revolver-esque reversed guitar riffs. And of course there's the glorious mess that is "Written in Reverse," which boasts heavily mashed piano keys and out-of-synch vocals, but somehow never breaks its groove. Even when Spoon lets it all hang out, they remain steadfast perfectionists, and it shows in their work.

Many of the most indelible moments on Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga grab you immediately. But Transference is something of a grower, and it may require a bit more time for its hooks to catch, and for its wit, charm, and uniquely engaging melodies to sink in. This is evident from the first track, "Before Destruction," a slow-burner that at times almost sounds lo-fi (on a Spoon record!), and that features several moments when the main arrangement cuts out, leaving only a casually strummed acoustic guitar. Compare this to Ga Ga's opener "Don't Make Me a Target," which kicks off that record with a decisive bang.

However beneath Transference's comparatively rougher surfaces lie some dynamite singles. "Got Nuffin," released as part of its own EP last year, is included here near the end of the record, and at just the right point. The guitars and piano form an infectious rhythm, and Daniels lyrics—about leaving behind loneliness in favor of love—prepare us for the big finale, "Nobody Gets Me But You." Not many bands could pull off a carefully crafted record that can also feel so tossed-off, and in the process provide both intriguing studio experiments and memorable singles. Then again, there aren’t a lot of bands like Spoon, and with Transference, they remind us of their strengths while showing off some new tricks in the process, kicking open the door to a new decade and offering the possibility that perhaps their best work is still ahead of them.

Last Word: A deceptively loose and casual set of tunes that proves the meticulous work Spoon does in the studio remains their greatest strength.

Review By:
Gavin Breeden

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