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In naming their sixth album, you have to wonder if the members of Spoon had little smirks on their faces as they pictured fans walking into record stores and uttering such an immortal line as, “Have you got Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga by Spoon?” With the album peaking at #10 in the US charts, there will have been no shortage of devotees having that pleasure.
Arriving on the US music scene in 1994, Spoon have quietly gone about cultivating a significant following for themselves amongst indie rock fans – best illustrated by album sales that have been growing with every release.
You could therefore have been forgiven for thinking that Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga would reveal a growing nod to the mainstream. Well, lucky you didn’t, because you would have been wrong.
As with earlier albums, this release doesn’t inundate you with radio friendly numbers. First single ‘The Underdog’ is probably the most commercial thing here, with its’ irresistible fusion of brass horns, deft lyricism and good ol’fashioned hand claps.
What Ga does give you though is a host of strong tracks that stay in your subconscious long after you’ve stopped listening. ‘The Ghost Of You Lingers’ is one of the most hypnotic pieces you’ll hear this year – it has a jangling piano intro, with two vocal tracks layered over the top, before bursts of static are interspersed to great effect. ‘You Got Yr Cherry Bomb’ also stands out. This number introduces the brass section to the album, along with perfectly paced percussion and Britt Daniels vocals in the finest of form.
Ironically, it is when Spoon sticks to the indie rock staple of guitar and drums that they come unstuck – ‘My Little Japanese Cigarette Case’ being a notable example of this.
I actually almost feel sorry for the dud tracks here – and there are a few. The reason that they stand out so much is that the other tracks are just so damn good. It leaves you thinking that this album could have been something really special...
Essential Tracks
The Ghost Of You Lingers
You Got Yr Cherry Bomb
The Underdog
Full Track Listing
1. Don't Make Me a Target (3:55)
2. The Ghost Of You Lingers (3:34)
3. You Got Yr Cherry Bomb (3:08)
4. Don't You Evah (3:36)
5. Rhthm and Soul (3:30)
6. Eddie's Ragga (3:39)
7. The Underdog (3:42)
8. My Little Japanese Cigarette Case (3:03)
9. Finer Feelings (4:54)
10. Black Like Me (3:25)
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