i think jenkins pretty much nailed this one.
Spoon at 9:30 Club
For Spoon, selling out the 9:30 club is the best revenge. The Texas band was among the many alt-rock acts that were seduced and abandoned by major labels in the '90s, a trauma that led singer-guitarist Britt Daniel to write not one but two songs roasting the A&R man he felt betrayed him. But unlike other indie discards, Daniel and drummer Jim Eno -- the core members of a group that expands to a quartet onstage -- have worked their way back to a significant audience, as they demonstrated Friday night with an energetic, crowd-pleasing set before a full house.
Spoon's performance did offer some hints as to why a big-time marketing exec might have had doubts. Songs as catchy and direct as "Sister Jack," one of the evening's highlights, were rare. The set opened with a brittle, brooding thumper titled "The Beast and Dragon, Adored," whose refrain insisted, "I got to believe it came from rock-and-roll." In fact, many of the music's ingredients came from punk, funk and art-rock. Barrages of discordant guitar recalled Gang of Four, Daniel's falsetto suggested Prince, and the slippery melodies and wordy lyrics evoked Lou Reed -- although none of these resemblances was overpowering or long-lasting.
If Spoon was short on immediately accessible tunes and electrifying gestures, the band was well supplied with taut arrangements, ingenious eclecticism and jittery vigor. These may not be the stuff of multi-platinum albums, but they were enough for a satisfying, distinctive show -- and for Daniel to be able to thank the fans who used to come see him at much smaller clubs.
-- Mark Jenkins
