Merge, 2002
Acquired: Love Garden, Used, 2006
Price: $8
I can't really remember the first time time I heard the opening beat-box from “Stay Don't Go.” Probably 17, shortly after this record came out. It was at the early stages of my discovery of indie rock, and Spoon just seemed to be one of those bands everyone could agree with. Everyone seemed to like this record. Punks liked it, jocks liked it, the National Honor's Society kids I hung out with liked it. It was just a sort of universal “fuck yes” record that everyone could get behind. One rooted in classic rock and roll tropes but often totally innovative. Yes, “The Way We Get By” is in every movie ever, seconded by “Small Stakes” and probably “Stay Don't Go” third after that, but what about shit like “Paper Tiger?” It's innovative yet populist. In a perfect world, this is probably what mainstream rock radio would sound like. Jams that everyone can enjoy that also contribute artistically.
Now check out this awful video for "Paper Tiger," which was seemingly made by frat boys, which illustrates crossover appeal!
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