Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga

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.

Well, I did not know who these guys were. I heard about them first in Pitchfork and then in The Line of Best Fit, who both gave this album rave reviews. However, I did not read them, and did not even considered listening to this record. I don't know why. I'm usually more into brit music, so the fact that these guys are from Texas did not help at all...

However, I made a big order here at Amazon and somehow decided to buy this album. Call it leap of faith, call it destiny, call it whatever you like, but "Ga ga ga ga ga" was the most beautiful surprise this 2007 could ever have for me.

As I listened to this album, each new song gave me goosebumps and put a big smile on my face. And it is a grower!!!

The first few seconds of "The ghost of you lingers" start off with a progressive rocke-esque piano loop which makes you fear for the worse, but thankfully evolves into one of the great songs of this year.

Then there are pop gems "You got Yr. cherry bomb", "The underdog" and "Black like me".

Actually, I would have to praise every single song in this album, and the album as a whole.

Therefore, I'll make it simple: THIS IS ONE OF THE THREE BEST ALBUMS OF 2007.

Do not hesitate. Do not preview it. Do not download it. Do not hear it on the radio first. Buy this album right now, go to your house, put the record on, have a glass of whatever drink you like, and enjoy!

From it's blistering opening track berating George W. to the last tune, a haunting bonus track called "Deep Clean" (and one of the best songs on the album), Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga delivers the almost-hooks, clever songwriting, and rock 'n' roll 2.0 that more bands should be listening to for inspiration.

"Black Like Me" and "Finer Feelings" are probably among the best songs of the year, yet Spoon makes their genius seem almost effortless. There's no guile here. Just damn good music that will grow on you until you eventually own the entire Spoon catalog and write about Brit Daniels on your blog...

1. when someone calls an album a "grower" that means they think a listener must listen to the album more than a few times to really appreciate it. no elitism there.

2. this album does not sound like REO Speedwagon. or REO Speedealer for that matter.

3. if you are a SPOON fan, this album is more in line with "Gimme Fiction" than their previous work.

4. i have probably listened to this album fifty or sixty times since it came out a few months back and seen the band twice since then (at Schuba's and the Riviera). hard to beat.

I first came accross Spoon on MySpace and really liked some of their sounds. I did a search on amazon and didn't sample any of it first just went with my gut because the earlier stuff I'd heard was so good. Big mistake. This is a good band. The cd left me flat. I was disappointed. All the songs seem to blend together which bummed me out because some of the other stuff I'd heard from them was amazing.