Poses the question: "What gives this mess some grace unless it's kicks, man?" I don't know, but I won't fight it.
Fun, enthusiastic and catchy NYC indie rock. Every track is awesome, although "Carpetbaggers," "Sickos" and "Red Right Hands" are awesomer.
This album has a lot more energy and spirit than his previous albums, which is probably why I never payed him much attention before. I love the rowdy folk rock tracks the best.
By far my favorite of the British post-punk/inde rock bands. This album starts off as good as any album I can remember with "Girls Who Play Guitars" and "Our Velocity."
The soulful Stax horns and fuller sound on "The Search" indicate right off the bat that a) this albums is going to kick ass, and b) I am going to play this song to death.
Definitely my most anticipated album of the year and probably why it fell a little short of my expectations. Of course I still loved it, but I had to demote it from the top 5. Maybe I just like the EP format better.
Dramatic psych indie rock associated with the Flaming Lips and Mercury Rev, but it rocks harder and doesn't have all the distracting bloops and blips. The album and EP before this are also great.
Seven great songs of Neil Young influenced alt. country/indie rock.
Spoon cannot be denied. Is it as good as Gimme Fiction? Maybe not, but I played this one more.
I love a little lo-fi glam. More indie rock and less poppy than the Ark and Mika.
"Is There A Ghost" is the obvious stand out track, but the rest of the album is solid. Good for foggy mornings or late nights.
I loved this album hard and fast earlier this year, but am less interested in it now. However, this list is for 2007, not Fall 2007.
Consistently good all the way through and surprisingly catchy.
Piano-based indie rock just stands out from the crowd. Their concert pushed this album up from good to great status. Bret and I ended up walking out on the headliner because they paled in comparison to Aquaduct, on lyrics, charisma, song structure, okay, just about everything. Best concert of the year.
Hyper-active and all over the place. Sounds good to me.
All but the Spinto Band were 2006 albums I didn't get to until I read about them on some end of year lists.
The song I listen to when work is destroying my will to live. It's been played a lot.
A thoughtful reflection on what would actually happen if dreams came true. May make you reconsider.
Put this on, grab a beer, take a shot, and you're ready to go out.
There is an appealing nostalgia to the lines
"We used to talk about girls who play guitars/ We used to talk about plans in tiny bars."
It reminds me of late-night conversations on music minutia: "I wonder what David Bowie thinks about Blur?"
A great "fuck you" break up song. Also features the dude from Okkervil River instead of her husband/singing partner. I guess things had already exploded by then.
Who isn't a donkey for love?
Dude sounds like he has already assaulted the sugar. Hyped-up Bowie-esque glam.
This is one of a couple great tracks on a rather spotty album. Raises the question, how many bad songs does it take undermine a good album?
This band is awesome. Sadly, they will never be big in America, and not because Americans are reluctant to embrace a handsome man wearing make up and spandex. Erin and I went to see their concert at the grand opening of The House of Sweden on the Georgetown waterfront and the lead singer made an off-hand remark about planes flying into the White House. Tour canceled.
Way more sentimental than I usually get.
Best song ever about the Prince Bride.