After a 4-year hiatus, Austin, TX based Spoon come roaring back on their stellar new LP They Want My Soul. Released in August 2014, the album finds the band maturing sonically while still retaining the quirky exuberance that’s been their hallmark. Anchored by lead singer Britt Daniel’s distinctive vocals, the band crafts catchy indie-rock that packs a punch when needed but isn’t afraid to let’s it’s softer side show.
Although their fan base has steadily grown over the years, Spoon have never really broken into the big time, bringing to mind other critically acclaimed acts like Wilco or Clap Your Hands Say Yeah. After forming in late 1993 the band wound up signing with major label Elektra in 1998, and when that relationship quickly went sour they joined forces with indie label Merge. Their last album, 2010’s Transference debuted at a strong number 4 on the Billboard 200, a feat that was matched by their latest.
The album opens with “Rent I Pay”, a crunchy and addictive no-frills rock track full of organ stabs, groovy percussion and Daniel’s impassioned yelps. He’s discontented for sure, “losing sleep” and “asking for peace that I ought to be owed”, but seems to be taking things more or less in stride. Then as a balm, “Inside Out” slides in with ethereal sound effects, soothing piano, and something that sounds like a harp. It’s a change-up for sure, with Daniels pleading for someone to “break out of character for me”, but it’s executed beautifully.
“Rainy Taxi” feels like filler but “Do You” rights the ship quickly with feel-good hand claps and catchy guitar strumming. “Knock Knock Knock” is taut and foreboding in a good way and segues to “Outlier”, a hazy funked out number with lyrics referencing someone Daniels has fallen out of touch with.
The title track and “Let Me Be Mine” continue the parade of quality songwriting and “New York Kiss” closes the set with glitchy electronics and a disquieting recollection of a past love. New York becomes “…just another place/ A place your memory owns” and the album ends like the best do, with the listener craving more.
