Review: Spoon, Transference

 

Spoon

Transference

B+

            Spoon is a band that has always stuck pretty close to its roots. Although their sound had evolved from the garage-rock tones of A Series of Sneaks, by 2007’s Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga, everyone knew what a “Spoon” record would sound like. To some degree, Transference doesn’t interfere or change many of our expectations of what this band does. Their characteristic alt-rock sound that has been present for years is still here, in the form of tracks like “Got Nuffin” and “Written in Reverse.” What Transference is significant for is the change in approach to production that must have occurred. It seems that they chose to pursue “addition by subtraction.” Transference’s sound is minimal. The record testifies to the importance of silence, when making music. The most memorable tracks, like “Mystery Zone,” “Out Go the Lights,” and “Is Love Forever” are those that seem to split up the band’s sound. No vocals, guitar parts, or drum lines seem to exist to fill a void. This results in a very purposeful, deliberate sound, where nothing unnecessary is crammed into the ears of the listener. On Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga’s “Don’t You Evah,” Britt Daniel says: “record that, Jim,” in the midst of studio banter. Transference leaves out such noisiness, choosing instead to revel in silence.

Key Tracks: Written in Reverse, Out Go the Lights, Mystery Zone, Got Nuffin’

-- Josh Smith
Host, "Artists in Exile," Sundays 2-4 PM on WGTB