Transference
by Spoon

I've downloaded a collection of Spoon's best songs and have listened to them for about 8 months. I've recently started to dive into their full albums. Transference may not be the catchiest, nor most raucous, collection of songs, but it's probably the most consistent. Most of the songs I gave a 75, 80, or 85. Only Trouble Comes Running blew me away with how tight the overall tune is, but most of the songs I either enjoyed the songwriting or enjoyed the grooves.
This album has the very unfortunate position of existing between arguably Spoon's two best albums, so it's easily tossed to the side, but there are some good things here. First off, the more lo-fi sound is consistent across the album. The guitars are more fuzzy and the bass stands out a ton. Nothing too flashy, just a very consistent album.

From sssvnnn 02/18/2019 01:58 | #232125

nothing special.
more or lesss boring alternative rock as heard 1000 times before.
just OK.

From Meowtopia 03/18/2018 22:40 | #211240

When I first heard this album, I thought it was pretty bad compared to the rest of Spoon's other albums. Through time, though, this album sure grew on me and I can finally grasp it for the true album it is; a really great and consistent album, with no really shining song, but all songs fit well into the album, and form a cohesive unit that is Transference. Another great album by one of the most consistent bands ever.

Underrated in the Spoon catalogue. I rank it 3rd best Spoon behind Ga Ga Ga and Gimme Fiction.

Mystery Zone, I Saw The Light, Written in Reverse and Out Go The Lights are standout tracks.

A little uneven with sub-par tracks like Trouble Comes Running. It also closes out with a whimper with Got Nuffin and Nobody Gets Me Like You

This band overall should be appreciated more for their quality and longevity

From junodog4 10/28/2014 01:53 | #125589

Nice sound, but nothing stands out like it does on Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga. I support Spoon, but not this album.

From paladisiac 02/13/2012 18:22 | #36845

So they dropped their horns and their poppy delivery and returned to their early complicated indie rock mess. While not instantly-catchy like "ga ga ga ga ga", this album is still about as good as the others in their arsenal.

From ShaneSpear 02/07/2012 03:49 | #36558

This is one of those albums that I really enjoy when I'm listening to it, but often tend to forget about when I'm not going out of my way to listen to it. If that makes any sense. That being said, the production effort is pretty quality throughout the entire album and it keeps me guessing enough so that it's never too boring. My favorite part of the album is the outro on I Saw the Light. That outro might be the best I've moment I've heard from Spoon.

From Applerill 10/22/2011 18:07 | #28853

Yeah, Man, I'm with you. This album is astoundingly catchy, and would even be on my chart if Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga wasn't already there.

From jhuik 10/22/2011 14:19 | #28842

Overrated? Obviously underrated if this is sitting in the range of #70 for best albums of the decade (at the time of this comment). Come on, people, get off the hiphop and ethereal indie crap. This band rocks. (Remember that word?)

From covecove 10/07/2010 03:48 | #15524

I think this band is a bit over rated, I dig it but it doesn't clicks for me, it has 5 or 6 good songs but it still feels it coulb de better