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  • Release Date:
Transference Image
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 37 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 108 Ratings

  • Summary: The seventh full-length album self-produced by the band strips the music down to nothing more than guitar, bass, precussion, and Britt Daniel's voice.

Top Track

Written in Reverse
I'm writing this to you in reverse Someone better call a hearse I can see it all from here From just a few glimpses Now that lightbulb's gone off And... See the rest of the song lyrics
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 33 out of 37
  2. Negative: 0 out of 37
  1. Ratcheting his reticence up half a turn, he opens with his bleakest new song, and only if you follow his chronically noncommittal lyrics will you notice his emotions opening up along with his tunes, his attitudes along with his structures.
  2. Spoon have created an album that will not only satisfy long-time observers but will also act as a gateway for those yet to discover their charms.
  3. Transference is a challenging, mature statement from a band generally known for more for refining their approach with each release.
  4. Within Spoon's astute use of sunny structure, a brooding heart of murky frustration lurks. A deceptive, addictive album, revelling in hidden depths.
  5. It can be a bit of a let down if you come in expecting another blockbuster like "Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga," but something of a revelation if you meet them halfway.
  6. Transference offers up several solid additions to the Spoon canon and setlist, but narrowly misses living up to its pedigree.
  7. Even Spoon's nice sounding (albeit always obtuse) lyrics can't make up for the generally flat music here, and with Transference, Spoon's undeniable swagger has taken a considerable hit.

See all 37 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 24
  2. Negative: 0 out of 24
  1. Dec 17, 2019
    10
    Nothing like posting a review nine years later, but this album deserves a revisit. If you stayed away, because the reviews were lessNothing like posting a review nine years later, but this album deserves a revisit. If you stayed away, because the reviews were less gleaming, if you initially thought this album didn't have the polish of the back catalog of Spoon classics then it's time to give it a spin again. This is really, really great songwriting. Not a wasted moment on the album. A great album even among the greats. All I could think when I first heard this was that it sounded like they needed a different producer. Now, in 2019, it might be my favorite Spoon album! Expand
  2. johnw.
    Jan 19, 2010
    10
    Amazing note for note. SPOON never disappoints!
  3. AlexV.
    Jan 20, 2010
    9
    I enjoyed every part of this album. You can listen it wherever you want: at home, in car, everywhere.
  4. JohnS.
    Jan 22, 2010
    9
    Spoon sounds defeated on this record and defeat has never sounded better. Britt Daniels and the boys create a collection of songs with only Spoon sounds defeated on this record and defeat has never sounded better. Britt Daniels and the boys create a collection of songs with only one misstep,the first track. This is an excellent record filled with great songs. Expand
  5. Jul 31, 2016
    9
    DO NOT sleep on this amazing album. Some fans pass it off as one of the weaker records in the band's discography. True Spoon fans know it'sDO NOT sleep on this amazing album. Some fans pass it off as one of the weaker records in the band's discography. True Spoon fans know it's really a beautifully raw masterpiece. Often overlooked in the strong year that was 2010, "Transference" offers so much more than meets the eye, and it definitely took me many listens before I really came to love it. This album is anything but weak. A "would-be" top album for many modern rock bands. Expand
  6. C.B.
    Jan 25, 2010
    7
    Good - not great - but definitely worth a spin or two. The album suffers a bit from its lackluster production. Just because the songs are Good - not great - but definitely worth a spin or two. The album suffers a bit from its lackluster production. Just because the songs are stripped down doesn't mean the overall sound quality should be. Expand
  7. TimA
    Jan 27, 2010
    5
    A very disappointing follow-up to Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga. I expected much more from them this time around. Britt is trying a little to hard to rhyme A very disappointing follow-up to Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga. I expected much more from them this time around. Britt is trying a little to hard to rhyme when it just doesn't seem necessary on the song "written in reverse" . Oh well I guess we will have to wait another 2yrs for something that can compete with the last 3 records. Expand

See all 24 User Reviews