Spoon is a confounding band. Their last album was a bit poppier but before that, the bands seemed as if they were almost trying to avoid complete songs. The songs were a bit repetitious and were often without a chorus or bridge. Still, they were good songs.

With their new album Transference, they seem to have gone back to their old ways. The songs are solid but they are just missing something and seems a bit repetitious. Maybe some of the songs will grow on me but right now I'm not into it. In some cases, I think the mix doesn't help. In "Mystery Zone", the bass line is almost annoying repetitive and is loud enough that it was the only thing I could really focus on. Have you ever had a dream with an annoying background noise and then you come to realize that it is your alarm clock? That's this song in a nutshell.

I haven't listen to the full album but after the first half dozen tracks, I feel like I'm happy that Spoon tried to spread their wings but I feel like they are floating in the wrong direction.

As for other albums, there's a new EP from Real Estate while RJD2 came out with a new record. Laura Veirs has a nice new record. For the first time in eight years, Freedy Johnston dropped some new songs. Finally, the Eels have a new album.

The Cold War Kids have a new EP slated to come out as well but it's not on Lala. I got the first song from Blalock's Indie Rock Playlist and it's pretty great.