Spoon

With such past milestones as Girls Can Tell and Kill the Moonlight behind them, Spoon has the unenviable position of having mountains of expectations heaped upon every album, as well as the subsequent press that bewails their present music in comparison with their past. It would be naïve to think that this wouldn’t continue with the highly anticipated Gimme Fiction, but this new batch should make the press harder to write as Britt Daniel and company have fashioned a great, raw, catchy-as-all-get-out, and nervy rock record that would only be diminished by comparisons. Both "The Beast and Dragon, Adored” and "My Mathematical Mind” showcase big bursts of fuzzy feedback and squalls of noise to keep the listener on edge throughout the songs’ many twists and turns. While "I Turn My Camera On” surprises as Daniel gives his falsetto a mighty workout in this indie slow jam. And for sheer delight purposes, look no further than "Sister Jack” as this is easily one of the catchiest things that Spoon has ever recorded, which is saying a lot from this notoriously hook-laden band. From the subtle electronic backing beat of "Was It You?” to the simple strumming beauty of "I Summon You,” Spoon utterly and easily show their mastery of melody and that timeless rock rhythm. To easily agree with their apt title: gimme, gimme, gimme and then please, gimme some more.