Rolling Stone (p.76) - 3.5 stars out of 5 - "[R]etro-leaning piano melodies, simple two-beat rhythms and Britt Daniel's cocky, deadpan vocals."
Spin (p.62) - Ranked #24 in Spin's "40 Best Albums Of 2005" - "Rarely less than decent, they're suddenly untouchable for life."
Spin (p.103) - "FICTION is less nervous than its predecessors but emotionally knottier..." - Grade: B-
Uncut (p.107) - 4 stars out of 5 - "[A]n artfully ambitious return to form, with songwriter Britt Daniel shadowboxing mystery and misperception amid enigmatically cool melodies, feedback washes and sound effects."
Magnet (p.52) - Ranked #14 in Magnet's "The 20 Best Albums Of 2005" - "Spoon's minimalist tendencies give ground to a broader palette of sounds, but the band continues to get under your skin."
Magnet (p.111) - "The music's percussive pulse builds to choruses so pointed they could penetrate asphalt."
Spoon: Britt Daniel (vocals, electric guitar, piano, Fender Rhodes piano, Moog synthesizer, bass instrument); Jim Eno (drums).
Recording information: 2004.
Spoon are purveyors of a stylish brand of indie rock bearing equal doses of sexy attitude and immediately accessible songcraft. GIMME FICTION has a fair bit in common with 2002's KILL THE MOONLIGHT, synthesizing influences that include everyone from the Beatles to Pavement into an appealing, soulful package. Yet GIMME FICTION is decidedly more polished and intimate than its predecessor, and it boasts a stronger batch of songs. There are dashes of retro mood, too. The opener, "The Beast and Dragon, Adored," has the feel of a minor-key glam epic on the order of David Bowie or Marc Bolan, while the chiming, harmony-heavy "Sister Jack" recalls the high-flying folk-rock of the Byrds.
For the most part, Spoon turns down the guitars on this album, in favor of clean, gentle melodicism. The beautiful "I Summon You," for example, centers on a strummed acoustic guitar and a thumping drum beat to summon its nostalgic, romantic theme. Pop hooks--the Austin, TX band's strongest suit--abound on the swaying melody of "Two Sides/Monsieur Valentine" (complete with accompanying strings), the falsetto-graced groove of "I Turn My Camera On," and the aforementioned "Sister Jack." GIMME FICTION is one of the strongest albums from this revered indie-rock act.
