Review: Spoon – ‘Transference’

Riding high on the release of successful EP Got Nuffin (2009) Spoon are back with their seventh full-length studio album. Traditionally the band can be a little hit or miss – some previous offerings have left a wish-washy (or worse, bland) taste in the mouth. But Spoon wouldn’t have a huge underground following if they couldn’t deliver the goods, however sporadically that may be.

The odd musical and lyrical arrangement of some songs on Transference is a credit to lead singer Britt Daniel’s capability as a songwriter. To their guitar-fuelled indie rock the band have added jagged piano riffs, lo-fi electric guitar and even some ambient reverby vocal samples. This is evident on experimental and edgy songs such as ‘The Mystery Zone’ and ‘Who Makes Your Money’.

However, Transference is not a huge departure from previous offerings. The controlled aggression and antagonism of Daniel’s voice still shines through, conveying an underlying dissatisfaction with the world which is interesting to listen to (if not a little depressing at times). The thudding bass and beat also echo old sounds, with songs usually building to a rhythmical climax steadily (see: The Constantines).

There are still the good old sing-a-long indie rock moments, with ‘Trouble Comes Running’ being a catchy highlight and ‘Nobody Gets Me But You’ presenting listeners with a seriously funky bass line . But there are also slower and more emotive moments here with ‘Goodnight Laura’ and ‘Out Go the Lights’ illustrating a stripped-down Spoon at their best.

It’s fair to say that the finest song on the record is ‘Got Nuffin’ (nicked from the aforementioned EP). The bubbling hostility is palpable in Daniel’s vocal delivery as he sings lyrics like, “I’ve got nuffin to lose but darkness and shadows, got nuffin to lose but emptiness and hang-ups”. The lyrics only serve to make the kick-ass bass line all the more powerful. A classic track.

Although Transference is not spectacular, it does demonstrate a large amount of coherence and thought of the kind that can take years to cultivate. A solid and sincere record, Transference is an enjoyable listen.

Spoon – ‘Got Nuffin’: