Spoon – Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga

I bought Spoon’s 2005 album Gimme Fiction after hearing the slyly funky “I Turn My Camera On” at a friend’s house. That album was taut, muscular and spare. I was surprised by Spoon’s serious commitment to rhythm. The tempo was always locked-in, and the arrangements used empty space to highlight the steady pulse. The record rocked without being hard or heavy. It took a few spins, but it turned out to be one of my favorite albums of the year.

Spoon’s new release, Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga, follows the same blueprint. This time, they’ve incorporated horns to some songs, with awesome results. The throwback “Got Yr Cherry Bomb” evokes classic 60’s Phil Spector or Motown with horns, tambourine, and an organ. “The Underdog” and “Finer Feelings” also sound—dare I say it—joyful. That’s not to say I don’t like the other songs. There’s not a weak track in the bunch, and I look forward to many repeat listens.