Search - Spoon :: A Series of Sneaks [US Bonus Tracks]

"Sneaks" away

E. A Solinas | MD USA | 11/22/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Imagine the love child of Pavement and the Pixies, finding their own musical path through the world of indie rock. That's the general feel that Spoon gives off in "A Series of Sneaks," the band's major label debut. It's jagged and darkly fun, carefully crafted while seeming effortless.



It opens with the jagged guitar spikes and shivery grooves of "Utilitarian," a rocker than grabs you by the hair and pulls you in. It sets the tone for much of the album, where many songs are a blend of angry and beautiful, such as the ominous "The Minor Tough," which sounds like a song from a Raymond Chandler musical.



"A Series of Sneaks" had a rollercoaster history -- the 1998 release was practically lost after Elektra ditched the band, but was reappeared on an indie label, then on Merge. Don't underestimate any band -- or any scorned album -- that comes back despite the odds, as Spoon did. Makes you wonder if Elektra is sorry now.



If "Series of Sneaks" has any flaw at all, it is that the album has a rather jagged feel. Yes, Spoon's music always sounds that way, but the songs feel like brief bursts of raw guitar rock. It's a bit frustrating to wonder if this album could have been even better, but as "Series of Sneaks" progresses, the indie fun takes over and you just sit back and enjoy.



Britt Daniel is obviously an underrated guitar genius, twisting his guitar into short, taut blasts; around him, we get the ever-changing duet of Joshua Zarbo's bass and Jim Eno's tight drums, complementing Daniel's guitar work. They dip into assorted styles -- blues, punk -- and blend them into the stripped-down sound.



Daniel's voice is just as versatile as his guitar -- he can let rip with raw howls, or downplay his voice to a thin waver. And the songwriting is oblique at best, but it really doesn't matter -- at times you can't understand what Daniel is singing about (is "Car Radio" about driving, or touring as a rock band?), but the vibe of it comes through loud and clear.



Spoon lets their raw musical power out in "A Series of Sneaks." This underrated rough gem is short, clocking in at only over half an hour, but it's an half-hour to treasure."

The sweet sound of the spoonmen

Sacco | here there and everywhere | 07/15/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I have to say, as a fan of Spoon this review will inevitably be rather biased, but I'll do my best to critique it. This albums bad points are that really it sounds like a collections of singles or at least some EP's slammed together. It lacks the flow of "Kill The Moonlight" or "Girls Can Tell". As well "Staring At The Board" sounds like it was written and recored after one to many drinks in the afternoon, a jokey almost throw away track. But the good points, well the rest of the album is the good point. The punk bluster of "Junes Foreign Spell" puts the so called punk bands like Rancid and co. at Epitaph to shame with its venom. "Metal Detektor" is laid back and bluesy. "No You're Not"'s only fault is that its over so soon, as is the problem with the woozy "Chloform". Yet the songs maintain an intimacy with listen, like they we're there with you in the same room, such a rare quality that today's over produnced bands, even the so called alt bands sorely lack. Its not their best effort, but just about all Spoon do is gold, and this is an indie classic."

Still as good as anything Spoon have done.

Davey Jones | 07/16/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A Spoon fan for some time now, I finally bought Series of Sneaks today and am totally floored. It's the punchy, passionate rock Spoon are best at, but which they've gradually toned down in subsequent releases. Don't get me wrong, their newer stuff is great--expansive, textured, understated--but Sneaks is lightning in a bottle. Don't miss it!"