Transference, similar to their last two releases, is a utility album. There's not a sonically offensive or intruding song through the course of 
the CD, while at the same time there's regrettably no "Hey Jude" begging the masses to sing along.
Still, any track here would offer a welcome twist to whatever might precede it in an iPod shuffle, whether working out or riding a train. Yet, the entirety is just as listenable while writing performance reviews. That qualifies as fairly remarkable stuff.
Part of the appeal of Spoon is that the soundscape is relatively sparse. The songs are built on fairly simplistic drums, while the bass is free to wander around, alternately melodically pulling the song or driving it home. Cymbals and guitars are rarely allowed to ring out, and this leaves a lot of space for keyboard bits or Britt Daniel's layered and filtered vocals to adorn the chassis. "Who Makes Your Money," a song that grew on me, is probably the best example of the formula here.
"The Mystery Zone" feels like a song that become a sprawling album closer, but it's located at #3 in the sequence. Daniel's lyrics are often obtuse, but this one seems mostly about the tentativeness of stepping outside of the the safe and the known.
Another highlight is "I Saw the Light," which breaks into an instrumental romp halfway through the song, a fine musical journey that speaks volumes that virtuoso musicians aren't required to make great music... especially when holding to a solid groove.
At times, Transference feels almost like a single piece of music. This is due as much to the consistent snap, crackle, and groove of the rhythm section as it is to barely a beat's silence between most songs.
The only song that doesn't fit the mold is "Goodnight Laura," a rather astonishing departure from the overall sound not because it's bad, but rather because it showcases Daniel's pop sensibility were he to seek a more commercial direction. It's also far more direct in it's lyrical prose than the remainder of the set.
All that said, this CD feels a little bit of a disappointment. Some may say it's not as melodic as their previous efforts, or that some of the abrupt changes or stops in the music is off-putting, but after 15 listens, it holds well and is an enjoyable listen. That said, "Gimme Fiction" or "Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga" are better starting points for the uninitiated.
Recommended Songs: "The Mystery Zone," "Written in Reverse," "I Saw the Light"
Rating: 3 Stars out of 5
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