Spoon

The only unconvincing part of this album is when Britt Daniel coyly claims, "We rarely practice discern." It's a little hard to believe him when it's the self-control, subtlety and simplicity that make Kill the Moonlight prickle and pop. Spoon take elements that are often just sprinkled in for effect and make them key ingredients. Flittering synths, staccato piano chords, tambourine jingles, hand claps, drumstick taps and a human beatbox make standouts like "The Way We Get By," "Stay Don't Go" and "Paper Tiger" both sticky and sweet -- ear candy you don't feel guilty asking for more of.

With Kill the Moonlight, Spoon complete their transformation from ragtag rockers into
beat-driven post-punks. Moving beyond nondescript indie rock, the Austin band offers
groovy midtempo ditties and carefully layered rhythms on its fourth album. On "The Way
We Get By," frontman Britt Daniel's repetitive, monosyllabic lyrics intertwine with hand
claps, tambourine, piano and a spare bass line to create an art-funk science proj... More >