Spoon - Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
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Free Music Notes for Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
Free Music Review: SPOON RETURN WITH SOME NON FICTION FUN (3.7 stars)
Hit: 4 Stars
Silly album title aside, Spoon have made a good record, and in some ways, it's as good and likeable as 2005's Gimme Fiction. The big difference here is it sounds like they were really trying to be unique and different from some of the things they've done on albums past. After a few listens it becomes clear that it's a more segmented and disjointed record (which is ok). Old school fans might even say this record is zapped of some of the energy that made their last few records so enjoyable, but that doesn't make it dismissible in the least.
Over the years, Spoon have grown both in writing ability and commercial success (Jaguar commercial anyone), yet with Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga (I'm not typing that again Mr. Daniel), they may have successfully shed any of those pesky "indie" labels, they had. This is partly is due to the band's ability to put out thier own brand of music in their own way, and partly due to their overall talent. The new record highlights this talent and makes the most band's incredible, and eclectic skill set. This is especially true when it comes to the anti-pop songwriting dynamic, something they do very well.
Songs start and stop through Ga effortlessly, yet, again, there isn't much flow from one track to the next. Each song definitely stands alone on their individual merit and direction. The album's production and mix are clean, yet not overdone, leading to a sound that sometimes feels like a night with Britt Daniel in his studio. There is a weird intimate jamming aspect to some of the songs (Don't Make Me A Target, Finer Feelings), but its all delivered in a quick manner. Nothing to get hung about.
There are a few potential big singles on Ga, but I don't think anything is showing up in a car commercial this time out. Even though the label of "grower" could be applied here, you can quickly find something on Ga to get excited about. Spoon doesn't shy away from a radio friendly, or sing-a-long friendly tune on Ga. You Got Your Cherry Bomb is about as straight-up hooky as a Spoon song can get, and between that and the bouncy nature of Underdog, the label heads were very pleased I'm sure. But it's the less obvious songs that are the real winners here. The Ghost of You Lingers is what I'm calling the indie version of chopsticks, and somehow, the insistent piano key pounding and droning pace, work like a charm. Don't Make Me a Target would have sounded right at home on Moonlight or Fiction, and it keeps things basic without losing any groovy-ness. Other highlights for me include: Cigarette Case, Ragga, and Don't You Evah, all of which are just stellar tracks that could stand out on any Spoon album, cohesive or not. This rings true for the band on much of this record, they keep things no-frills and take it one track at a time, without alienating their audience or a good album in the process.
Free Music Review: A mild disappointment that still deserves a purchase
Hit: 4 Stars
Spoon's fifth full-length studio album is a bit of a regression after their masterful "Kill the Moonlight" and "Gimme Fiction." Those who preferred the rougher and sloppier sounds of "A Series of Sneaks" may appreciate this one more; although it's a far slicker and more streamlined crystallization than that early effort, the half-formed, hell-of-it attitude and construction is evident on several tracks here. But those entering with the mindset that they'd continue to commit to the fractured epics on "Fiction" may be disappointed.
Unfortunately, while the "quick toss-off" aesthetic was part of (even most of) the charm of "Sneaks," on "Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga," it feels like quitting early or filling out an already slim album with material that should have been nourished better during the sessions. These songs, including "The Ghost of You Lingers" and "My Little Japanese Cigarette Case," are nice enough songs on their own right, but dropped in the middle of an otherwised well-honed and structured album, they feel like goofs or wonders too easily aborted.
The only time that they seem to let the best of both worlds crash together without a fiasco is on "Finer Feelings," a song that has the sound of a one or two take recording from a young group embracing the excitement of first entering a studio and the polish and craft of the veterans that they now are. The best bets remain the stark and punchy rhythms of songs that could have fit on "Moonlight" and "Girls Can Tell," like "Don't Make Me a Target" and "Don't You Evah." Meanwhile, first single, "The Underdog," while a fine track in its own right, lacks the marketable brilliance of, say, "I Turn My Camera On" and "The Way We Get By."
But the unevolved familiarity of past victories is a minor mistake; their two best albums embraced a unified sound while exploring many different facets. On "Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga," there's not a lot of variety in the approach and result--too many songs sound alike. Spoon is almost always good no matter what they do, but coming off the highs of their last two releases, consider this one a slight disappointment. Fans, you know what to do--buy the freakin' thing anyway. The rest, go for the others first, but don't neglect picking this one up as well after wearing out your copies of the last two.
Best cuts: "Don't Make Me a Target," "Don't You Evah," "The Underdog," "Finer Feelings," "Eddie's Ragga," "You Got Yr Cherry Bomb," "My Little Japanese Cigarette Case"
Free Music Review: Spoon Continues Their Great Run
Hit: 4 Stars
Bands that have been around for several years and several albums usually have three choices. 1st, they can keep putting out basically the same album over and over like Korn. 2nd, they can completely change and go in a different musical direction like Radiohead or Wilco. 3rd, they can subtly evolve, widening their palate while keeping essentially the same sound. Spoon falls firmly in to the third category.
Ga X5 continues Spoon's run of consistent and very good albums. All of the typical Spoon elements are here, foot stomping rhythms, fuzzy guitar lines, literate lyrics, heavy low end basslines, and rambling piano parts. On Ga X5 Spoon has expanded their palate to include more blatant pop influences and some spacey dub rhythms.
You Got Yr. Cherrybomb is the best example of the pop on this album. This is the first time I've heard Spoon go full on blue eyed soul with a horn section. It reminds me of Billy Joel, which in this case is a good thing. The Jon Brion produced The Underdog is also pure pop. They bring out the horns for this one too with great results. The song's as catchy as anything they've ever done.
The dub influences come through in the middle section of the album. Don't You Evah, and Eddie's Ragga all feature thumping and thick basslines, and some spacey tape effects and reverb. Both songs are very good, even if Eddie's Ragga meanders a little bit.
Ga X5 is a lean mean 10 songs and 36 minutes with hardly a wasted moment on the whole album. The only weak song is The Ghost of You Lingers. Spoon has built whole songs on tape loops and effects before like Paper Tiger, but where a Paper Tiger sound eerie and atmospheric, The Ghost of You Lingers just seems pointless.
Other than that, Ga X5 is another solid collection of songs and a great addition to the Spoon catalogue. Spoon always puts out very good albums that are usually top 10 of the year worthy, but never an album of the year. They've got a very sturdy formula and they keep finding new ways to expand and keep things interesting.
Free Music Review: Good, but maybe a little overrated
Hit: 4 Stars
What I can't figure out about Spoon's "Ga ga ga ga ga" is how it has become so huge since it came out. Yes, it's a good album, but I'm having trouble figuring out how it's so much higher on everybody's "Top Albums of 2007" lists than a lot of other albums. For some reason, pretentious rock critics everywhere are going GaGa over this album and I just can't figure out why. As far as I'm concerned it's definitely not in the Top 10 of 2007 and probably doesn't make it into the Top 20. I can think of tons of albums that I think completely surpass this album in aesthetic luster (Stars, Of Montreal, Jens Lekman, Andrew Bird, Okkervil River and MANY more).
Don't get me wrong, "Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga" is still a great album. It's just not a fantastic album. For me, I'm looking for lots of sonic color on an album. The thing that I love about many of what I consider to be many of the year's best albums is that the songs paint these colorful images that just sweep me away somewhere else. Unfortunately, "Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga" does not do this for me. The album is relatively monochromatic compared to much of what else I've been listening to. The only songs that venture into another color are "The Underdog" (which is definitely the best song on the album) and "The Ghost of You Lingers" (which though it gives us a change of pace is probably the most lackluster song on this album). Nevertheless, Spoon offers us some solid song writing and catchy hooks that stick with you for awhile (especially on "You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb"). I would just like to hear a little more variety and creativity in the arrangements.
Free Music Review: Root for the 'underdogs' of indie-rock ladies & gents - they're brilliant!
Hit: 4 Stars
I'll start this review by first saying that I've never even bought nor heard a full Spoon album prior to purchasing the exceptional GA GA GA GA GA. What turned me on to the band was a promotional download I received for the single from Spoon's GIMME FICTION, "I Turn My Camera On". I missed out on actually buying GIMME FICTION (which I still want to pick it up), but I didn't want to miss the opportunity to buy the much anticipated follow-up album. It is brief, but despite its brevity, it is consistent from top to bottom, beginning to finish. Can you say f@#&!*) brilliant?
My favorite numbers here are "Don't Make Me A Target" which serves as an exceptional opener. "The Ghost Of You Lingers" is incredibly outside of the box, but the piano-centric production and the indie-quality of the track are unmistakibly brilliant. What is most potent for me concerning "Don't Make Me A Target" is the fact that it may be the most credible tone-poem I've heard for a while; the reverb with Britt Daniel's vocals represents the sound of a ghost. "Don't You Evah" and "Rhythm and Soul" are great as well but nothing steals the thunder of the absolutely marvelous Jon Brion (the man's a genius) helmed "Underdog" which gives Spoon's infectious "I Turn My Camera On" a serious run for its money, and that is saying a lot. Though I've lauded specific tracks, I think the album as a whole is a masterpiece, specifically for all us guys who have a soft-spot in our musical hearts for indie-rock music. One of 2007's best is presented via GA GA GA GA GA ladies and gents! 4 stars.