EXAMINING: Spoon's Transference - A Literal Broken Record

TWITTER: / micthesnare
LISTEN: • Before Destruction
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My first case study of 2019 goes into my favorite band, Austin-born rock outfit Spoon, and what's considered to be their worst album, Transference. While it's a frustrating listen at first, there's definitely more hiding under the surface. What exactly? Let's find out...
(Also from here on out, my case studies will be under the name EXAMINING. Still the same kind of videos, just under one series name.)
Do you agree? Disagree? Wanna call me a nerd for having a section specifically dedicated to baroque opera? Have a suggestion for what I should cover next? Let me know in the comments!
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SOURCES:
Lyrics: genius.com/alb...
Noisey Article: noisey.vice.co...
Consequence of Sound: consequenceofs...
Britt Daniel on the Album Cover: www.juxtapoz.c...
Videos:
Written in Reverse: • Spoon - "Written in Re...
Do You: • Spoon - "Do You" (Offi...
Album Trailer: • Spoon - Transference (...
Nobody Gets Me But You: • Spoon - Nobody Gets Me...
Got Nuffin: • Spoon - Got Nuffin (XX...
The Underdog: • Spoon - The Underdog
Sister Jack: • Spoon - Sister Jack
ABC Interview: • Amplified: Spoon

[@RobustRouge]

Can you get popular now, I've seen 2 videos and you're great like how are you this good at KZbin so early on??

[@heylookitsnana]

Great to see a video for my favorite band by someone who loves the band. This is a real treat. I've been loving the band in isolation for fifteen years. You should definitely gush about any of their songs, I'd watch it.

[@bondfool]

Man, do I love Mystery Zone. So tense and hypnotic. It’s like a less heroin-y “I Want You/She’s So Heavy.”

[@user-ft6rg7zy5z]

XTC has got to be the spoon of the 80's, quality wise. Always overlooked, but consistently great.

[@bierce85]

spoon/xtc are in my top 5 ever

[@jeffbrown-hill7739]

It's funny you say that, 'cause I've thought for a while that Spoon is like the modern American version of XTC. Mainly in terms of their musicianship and production quality, although I do think XTC were a bit more refined as musicians. Ironically, I think Spoon has a wider mass appeal; for instance my wife loves them and can't stand XTC.

[@JohnPatt]

Hey man, just discovered the channel and I'm hooked! Spoon is the first band I always recommend to people when they ask for suggestions. I don't know if I would say they're the best band ever, but I can confidently say they're the most consistent band ever! Love this video, looking forward to seeing more great content.

[@EnthusedJotter]

Just caught this posted in r/indieheads and really dug the video, my man! You've inspired me to give this record another listen now. Terrific work, all around. Please make more of these if time permits!~

[@MicTheSnare]

Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it :)

[@joshuaquinn6945]

Always thought "Who Makes Your Money" was an incredible banger, never really listened to a lot of Spoon but this video has reminded me to give em a go! great vid!

[@joshuaquinn6945]

also a side note a friend of mine said "why do they call themselves Spoon when they have forkin' tunes?" and I still haven't recovered from it.

[@MicTheSnare]

"Who Makes Your Money" had to grow on me, seeing it live defs made me appreciate it more. Thanks dude!

[@BLOOM604YVR]

Crazy how you only have 500 subs. Presentation and content are top notch!

[@MicTheSnare]

Very kind of you to say, thanks!

[@adamstandiford9443]

This was my first exposure to Spoon. I listened to only it and Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix while on a trip where I drove 30 hours. Changed my musical world.

[@petsch6787]

I love this album so much, this video is everything that I love about it

[@logan4x6]

Despite the fact that I think "Transference" is a classic, I love what you bring up in this video. You gotta do some more of their records.

[@MicTheSnare]

Thanks!

[@24pablox]

12:22 heavy interpol vibes

[@veez4425]

On your favorite record list, I love Rockin the Suburbs. Ben Folds is amazing

[@stormcountmtg4183]

I love I saw the light, it’s just like: we can make a better song than any recent artist with just scales and note spamming.

[@asianguy6174]

Come now. “Out go the lights” is beautiful and so is “Nuffin to lose”

[@Zombi3ToasT]

Fantastic video, really enjoyed how you unpack a record! Very engaging for someone who loves to learn more about music and doesn't have all of the theory education. You've earned a sub

[@MicTheSnare]

Thanks so much, I appreciate the kind words!

[@rebeccastewart5579]

this is my favourite spoon album and im so glad you also think its about therapy because i was waiting for you to say that- this album screams therapy, and i think it does so with intent to the audience.

[@mikecerame9008]

Out Go the Lights is one of my favorite Spoon tracks.

[@liamthemusicreviewer]

Naked Brothers Band > The Beatles any day of the week

[@MicTheSnare]

A fellow man of taste, I see

[@lizbethdane]

Very curious as to your thoughts if any on Interpol's discography.

[@OtherRecordLabels]

God bless you, friend!

[@MapleMilk]

If THIS is Spoon's worst album Consider me a diehard fan already

[@zinguliwa]

Thank you so, so much for this.

[@asianguy6174]

I love “In Reverse”

[@jeffbrown-hill7739]

I think you're reading into some of this with your own ideas, but isn't that what music is about sometimes? One's individual interpretation? Anyway, cool video, great album.

[@rossamundbrennan7248]

What do you see in this band for it to be your favorite? I'm hearing all methods and techniques and conventions that other bands have done better and earlier.

[@asianguy6174]

You had me at “Spoon is the best band of all time.”

[@kabelabel6118]

As a Cardiacs fan, I found the claim of there being a better band hard to believe. Well, gotta test it, time to download 9 albums. Edit: Finished watching the video. Sounds like my kind of band, I love weird shit like this.

[@MicTheSnare]

Heck yeah, I hope you dig their work!

[@kabelabel6118]

@@MicTheSnare I hope so too. (also Cardiacs is the best band ever, I know I've said it like 2 times already, but if you ever listen to them, I'm 90% sure a song/album'll get a case study)

[@aveytare2185]

Def not their worst but I can see why. There was so much anticipation after Ga5 and Transference wasnt at all marketable like Ga5 or Gimme Fiction. It reminds me a lot of Kill the Moonlight where it varies in lo-fi sounds and its just very loose. None of their albums are bad, not even Telephono, but if I personally had to declare their worst it would be Hot Thoughts or Telephono

[@rushmore309]

Fantastic video.

[@lukeberrie3942]

I always thought this was one of Spoon’s best albums. I wonder why people think otherwise.

[@gabrielkritzinger5780]

Honestly is it bad that Ive never heard of them

[@keatonthecretin3080]

Gimme Fiction is my favorite record from 'em, but its the only one with a song I dislike. Fuck Sister Jack.

[@AB-fb1hm]

great video!

[@MicTheSnare]

Thank you!

[@benisimo71]

Subscribed

[@logan4x6]

[@Funkyyyyyyyyy]

Great video but I disagree : there is one low point on the Spoon's discography, its their debut. Not that it's bad but its not that inspired :p But ay for stuff like Ga Ga Ga Ga or Hot Thoughts i give them a pass for this.

[@MicTheSnare]

Totally fair, it's a serviceable first album