ARTIST: Spoon
TITLE: A Series of Sneaks
YEAR RELEASED: 1998
CHART ACTION: None
SINGLES: Car Radio
OTHER SONGS YOU MAY KNOW: Lord, no
LINEUP: Britt Daniel, Joshua Zarbo, Jim Eno
WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT: A major label move a few years too early – this album languished and was ignored for years.
SOME WORDS, PHRASES AND CLAUSES ABOUT THIS RECORD: With high hopes, Spoon signed to Elektra records, and soon after release, their A&R person left and the label dropped them, leaving this album out there with no support and a bitter, unsettled band.
This album is probably out of step with what was ‘popular’ in 1998, but it does deliver on the promise of their independent work. Catchy songs with enough off-kilter elements to keep you on your toes, and enough noise to keep the indie people satisfied.
Elektra messed up here, as Spoon has become reliably reliable in delivering well-made product to a growing fan base. Who knew then, but this album was decent enough to keep them signed.
NOTES & MINUTIAE: Spoon was so pissed off at their A&R guy that they recorded a single called “The Agony of Laffitte” about the experience
IS THERE A DELUXE VERSION: Yes. UK tracks, and that independent single.
GRADE: B+: The quality tails off, but the first few tracks are strong.