Transference
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Critic Reviews
80
Spoon are a pretty consistent bunch. Consistent in sound and pretty darned consistent in quality. Since their 1996 debut Telephono they have gradually refined the Pixies-indebted indie rock of that record into something simultaneously more pop-savvy and complex with their neat use of production tricks an increasingly distinctive trait. Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga, from 2007, saw Spoon reach their apex in this regard; a record where auditory adventurousness (see 'The Ghost of You
Lingers') and pop nous ('The Underdog') not only sat comfortably side by side, but where the former actually served the needs of the latter, as on the modernised Motown of 'You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb'.
15y
78
Trading some of their signature groove for a more destabilizing sound, Spoon have created an offbeat, unexpected, but ultimately cerebral record.
15y
50
For a while there - from the mid '90s to 2010 - the old turkey lover was right. Austin's Spoon, with Britt Daniel at the helm and Jim Eno as first mate, could always make rock and roll sound fun. They transitioned from the rough, raw edges of Telephono and A Series
Of Sneaks to the comfortable, rounded perfections of Gimme Fiction, delivering rock with swagger, but constantly oriented on catchy, pop-oriented melodies.
15y
What a solid release. This album is underrated as HELL. Spoon just came off from making their most successful record yet, so they wanted to do something new and different to get their creative juices flowing again. This has probably the most experimental tracks from Spoon, with some really unique ideas across this whole thing, while still sounding like Spoon. At first I wrote it off, but yeah it's a grower for sure. I've always loved the song Out Go The Lights though, with it feeling really ... read more
'Transference' is an intriguing follow up to 'Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga' because it marks a retreat from attempting to release an even more pop focused or catchy set of songs. There's an argument this is their least immediate record and more so, it revels in atmospheric touches and slippery arrangements.
Highlights like 'The Mystery Zone' and the slow motion 'Out Go the Lights' are most memorable for mood ahead of melody, but equally, they still class as two of the band's finest songs partly for that ... read more
While Spoon have been an exceptionally consistent band, "Transference" feels like a step backwards. I appreciate that the band is trying something new and experimental, but most of it just comes off pretty awkward. The writing is there, but the instrumentation is extremely repetitive to the point where this is their most plodding release yet. Also, why do some of these tracks end so goddamn abruptly? It has absolutely no sense of flow.
Fav Tracks: Written in Reverse, Out Go the ... read more
I think this is a cool album, and it will probably grow on me. I only knew Mystery Zone before listening to this album in full, but I was curious because it is regarded as a weird album. It indeed is, but it kinda goes.
Great feeling rock music that although it does not takes any risks, it does not need to because this formula it's exploited into its biggest potential you can't help but enjoy the entire project. Absolutely amazing
Before Destruction -8
Is Love Forever? - 8
The Mystery Zone - 8
Who Makes Your Money - 8
Written in Reverse - 7
I Saw the Light - 8
Trouble Comes Running - 7
Goodnight Laura - 7
Out Go the Lights - 8
Got Nuffin - 9
Nobody Gets Me But You - 7
Contributions By
patton, royalflush, philthy, Alejandro González, erik, d_ism, OPENblinds, tediously_briefBecome a Subscriber
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Track List
| 1 | Before Destruction 3:17 | 83 |
| 2 | Is Love Forever? 2:07 | 73 |
| 3 | The Mystery Zone 4:59 | 83 |
| 4 | Who Makes Your Money 3:44 | 78 |
| 5 | Written In Reverse 4:18 | 83 |
| 6 | I Saw the Light 5:32 | 86 |
| 7 | Trouble Comes Running 3:05 | 76 |
| 8 | Goodnight Laura 2:28 | 69 |
| 9 | Out Go the Lights 4:36 | 89 |
| 10 | Got Nuffin 3:58 | 83 |
| 11 | Nobody Gets Me But You 4:56 | 82 |
Total Length: 43 minutes
Year End Lists
| #13 | / | Amazon |
| #18 | / | Treble |
| #22 | / | Rolling Stone |
| #22 | / | Uncut |
| #24 | / | Rhapsody SoundBoard |
| #25 | / | A.V. Club |
| #25 | / | PopMatters |
| #31 | / | Spin |
| #35 | / | Pretty Much Amazing |
| #36 | / | Paste |
| #41 | / | One Thirty BPM |
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