Spoon – ‘Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga’ (Merge) Released 10/07/07

Texan indie-rockers Spoon are back after a two year absence with their new offering ‘Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga’. Unfortunately, despite the critical acclaim that their last album ‘Gimme Fiction’ garnered, and their music being used in several films and television shows across the US and UK, ‘Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga’ is more a case of blah blah blah blah blah…rather disappointing and failing to deliver. As well as co-founder Britt Daniel’s guitar and vocal duties, he’s also an accomplished soundtrack composer and producer (both for Spoon and Interpol amongst others) but in spite of this, his latest bout of creativity is somewhat hollow and in parts detached and isolated; it might work with the American market, but it’s doubtful it will wash in the UK.

All said and done, Spoon’s sixth studio album contains more than its fair share of promise. The opening track ‘Don’t Make Me A Target’ instantly parades Daniel’s easy on the ear vocals through the medium of a laid back political statement, but sadly fails to explode when it potentially could and probably should. Instead an extended instrumental develops into…well not much and fades out. The same applies to the following track ‘The Ghost Of You Lingers’. A haunting negative of melancholy, like watching rain through a dirty window, and one that suits the voice; but the repetitive nature and lack of progression in the instrumentation is frustrating and once more short lived. ‘You Got Yr Cherry Bomb’ thankfully ups the ante. Bolder, faster, up-beat, sincere and with a self assured simple yet effective brass section, it’s probably the best of a mediocre bunch, but, now three tracks in, it’s already heading towards too little too late.

However in a last gasp bid to redress the situation comes ‘Don’t You Evah’ a cover of an unreleased song by New York band Natural History. It’s a great track pure and simple; laid back yet instant which suits Spoon’s style. Unfortunately it’s not theirs so whether it counts in the greater scheme of things is a matter for debate…or not; you decide. Either way, the state of play is gradually (not to be confused with definitely) improving. ‘Rhythm And Soul’ and ‘Eddie’s Ragga’ serve to underline Spoon’s relaxed, distinctive and predetermined approach, which by now (halfway through the album) is annoyingly reassuring and even likable, but it still doesn’t quite manage to pack the punch that it deserves. In fact, their stripped back and bare sound makes it incredibly hard to get excited about.