GOT NUFFIN - Spoon

Got Nuffin (EP) - Spoon
(Merge Records)
Released June 30, 2009
By Travis Catsull

Spoon delivers their sixth EP in shotgun form by announcing it a week before the release date, and overall it’ll be stacked on the shelf with a passing glance—a glance everyone is nearly forced to make lest they miss a hidden jewel. More of a single for the title track than anything, it’s Jim Eno’s drumming that comes to the forefront and sets the stage. Easy to hear is the Deerhunter influence, as it was recorded by the Atlanta band’s soundman in their half-famous Rare Book Room in Brooklyn earlier this year. Even with that keynote undertone, “Got Nuffin” sounds like The Black and White Years could’ve recorded it with Jerry Harrison on the opposite coast, as it has that lingering vocal approach that all SNL bands are required to possess. Honestly, “Got Nuffin” is a catchy song and is destined to find its keg full of college radio play, but it can’t escape that “another-average-Spoon-song” feel that’s unshakeable even after double-digit listens.

Surprising is the second track, “Tweakers,” which is a low-fi cut-up Britt Daniel pasted together about a month or so ago. This song would be perfect if you and Tom Waits had just done a line of coke and were orbiting the moon on a spaceship where no one could speak. It would also be perfect if you made it, because you probably could. It’s a drum loop with some chimes and shit in the background and will probably be the song most people go back to in a year or so.

The EP rounds out with a more psychedelic guitar sound than you’re used to hearing from Spoon on the song “Stroke Their Brains,” a dark horse of a song nuzzling the gate of a movie soundtrack with ghoulish background vocals and synth vibrato countering the warbling wammy bar.

Spoon fans are going to enjoy this Win-Place-Show trio of indie rock versatility. At least it’ll give them something to drag around in their iPods until the new album is released. And the way Spoon’s PR team is announcing things these days…that could be tomorrow.


Travis Catsull works for Business Deal Records, an artist collective in Austin, Texas. He is working on a new album with the band The Potlikkers and is also part of the group Charles Potts Magic Windmill Band. Travis will release his third book of poetry this fall with Tsunami Inc.