Lucifer on the Sofa: Spoon Continues to Rock … Maybe Better than Ever

The main purpose of POPTRANSMISSION’s Music section is finding new rock n’ roll amidst the popular dominance of pop and hip-hop. I’ve highlighted new bands (Dry Cleaning, Spyderland), bands that have been around awhile (War on Drugs, Future Islands), and the still-bringing-it veterans (The Who, Pearl Jam). All have released new music recently and continue to demand a space for rock in the 2020s. Spoon has been a dependable musical presence for close to 30 years. Their new release, Lucifer on the Sofa, encapsulates the joys of rock n’ roll and is an early album-of-the-year candidate.

It’s the 10th album for the indie rockers from Austin, TX and first since 2017’s Hot Thoughts. They formed in 1993, released their first album, Telephono, in 1996, and continue to be led by founding members Britt Daniels (vocals, guitar) and Jim Eno (drums). Kill the Moonlight and Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga show up near the top of most best-of prior Spoon albums. My exposure to Spoon is limited and now growing. I liked the song “Got Nuffin” and put it on my playlist. Years later after hearing “First Caress” I purchased Hot Thoughts and now the new album after hearing the first single (“The Hardest Cut”).

Hot Thoughts has more funk, groove, beats, and synths than much of their earlier work. The lead-off title song proves that right away. As do “WhisperI’lllistentohearit” (yes, that’s with no spaces) and “Can I Sit Next To You.” The catchy “First Caress” yearns for a first love. “Shotgun” elevates the guitar. Instrumental sections and a jazzy number to close the album give it some weirdness.

Lucifer is a louder rock record, downplaying the electronic touches of the previous album. It’s also one of those rare albums without a weak song. It starts off with a stompy, bluesy Smog cover, “Held.” “The Hardest Cut” rings of their fellow Lone Star Staters, ZZ Top, with its Texas-tapping riffs. “The Devil & Mister Jones” struts out a smooth glide, full of horns and swagger. The majestic “Wild” is an album highlight (in an album full of such) with its interlocking piano and guitar. “My Babe” is an acoustic shout-out to domestic love while “Feels Alright” and “Satellite” set off the guitar fireworks. “On the Radio” slams the piano home for a power-pop tune. “Astral Jacket” is a slo-mo, back-to-basics beauty. And just when you’re wondering what these guys are going to do for an encore, the striking title song is a walk through the pandemic streets of Austin accompanied by the pain of a lost love. It’s the musical equivalent of film-noir. “What am I gonna do with your last cigarettes, All your old records, All your old cassettes.” Is he talking about losing a relationship or losing himself?

Spoon has never made it BIG, but as Rolling Stone says in their stellar Lucifer review, “Spoon are the most reliable great American rock band of the past 25 years. That might say more about American rock than it does about Spoon, but facts don’t lie.” They’ve been right before our eyes (or ears) for years and have delivered a rock treasure with the new album. I’d love to hear from longtime Spoon fans about how it stacks up against the rest of their catalog. As a relative newcomer to Spoon, I’m clearly in no position to proclaim it their best, but I don’t know how it couldn’t be…

D² Rating Lucifer on the Sofa ◼◼◼◼◩

Trivia – How did Spoon come up with their name?

Answer: To honor Can, the 1970s avant-garde band, whose hit song “Spoon” was the theme of the 1985 movie Jagged Edge.