Guest Column – Live Review – Spoon

October 15 – The Government – Toronto

No cheese. That is simply the best way to describe a show by Spoon. They are arguably one of the finest and most credible acts touring today. Their career has been defined by a long history of fits and starts, building to that rare well-earned version of indie rock infamy. The new Pixies, if you will. 

Tonight, the crowd saw a similar slow musical burn. Although the music sounded rock solid out of the gate, a few sound glitches had the band focused squarely on the sound guy, instead of the crowd. The early songs were not some of the better-known material from the recent albums, as they saved the strongest and best for last.  Superb material from Gimme Fiction and Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga was perfectly pumped up by the addition of a three-piece horn section. 

It’s worth noting two musical references made by the band at different points in show.  A between song take on a classic Black Sabbath riff sounded no more out of place than a verbal reference to Split Enz. Many writers prefer to reference Spoon’s penchant for Lennonesque vocals, short songs and inspired studio noodling. Notably, the live setting highlights their capacity to rock riffs that are as heavy as Tony Iommi, yet also as plucky and tuneful as Neil Finn. Throw the impact of their dub influences on top, and you have a truly spacious and satisfying live sound.   

Looking in as indie-rock outsider, it sometimes feels like Spoon’s career is being guided by an invisible hand that constantly keeps them in check. Instead of taking the obvious single, or the obvious tour, this band always chooses the low key route. Tonight’s show was further proof that their subtle and skilled approach to making music will ensure that they are remembered as one of indie rock’s all time greats.

Dave Ullrich is a veteran musician who constitutes exactly half of legendary classic indie rock band, The Inbreds. He is also the principal songwriter behind Egger and the founder of digital music store Zunior.com.