Oh yeah, I bloody love Spoon I do. And their new album ‘Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga’, (which for purposes of me not going crazy writing it out every time will now be referred to as just ‘Ga’) is another slice, or should that be spoonful (sacked for bad puns- Z) of musical perfection.I’m absolutely loving the first track ‘Don’t Make Me a Target’ so much that I played it three times in a row the first time I listened to the record. Screw it, I’m putting it on again. It’s very ‘Way We Get By’-esque, which is why I’m hooked on it already. Lots of descending piano and guitar riffs that are incredibly satisfying to listen to.Britt Daniel’s voice is as husky and distinctive as ever, but on songs like ‘You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb’ reaches some precariously high notes perfectly. You always know you’re listening to Spoon as soon as you hear that voice.
Ok, I’ve just got to the track ‘Rhthm & Soul’ now and it has had the same effect as the first track did. I’m on play count number two for this one. It reminds me of the Eagles a little bit, couldn’t tell you why. Maybe the very bass-heavy guitars and bright acoustic over the top. “Track trousers, square couches, short legs and squared shoulders, pot holders, egg and soldiers” is a great lyric, even if I couldn’t tell you what it meant. I think that’s why I like it because it’s so random. A bit like Ugly Cassanova’s ‘Things I Don’t Remember’.
‘The Underdog’ reminds me a lot of The Shins, with quick chord changes and hand-clapping, which brings me onto my overall thoughts on ‘Ga’. Although it is a fantastic album, and probably one of the best I’ve listened to for a long time, I can’t help being reminded of other bands by this. I can’t put my finger on exactly why it does, but it does. It’s not a bad thing, because all the bands it reminds me of are amazing. And one of the bands it reminds me off are Spoon, which may sound crazy, but it shows that they are carrying on what they do best- being Spoon.
And I bloody love Spoon I do.
8/10
Tim Mogridge