Soft Effects

Spoon: Britt Daniel, Jim Eno, Scott Adair, John Croslin, Brad Shenfeld.
This five-song 1997 EP followed a year after the band's full length TELEPHONO. Opening with "Mountain to Sound," they make it clear that they're interested in the sheer possibilities of sound, along with possessing a keen sense of smartly written songs. Guitars fly in at odd angles throughout most of this brief but potent set.
"Get Out the State" has shades of Tom Verlaine, with its skittering string work, writ large with sustained and near-feedback laden notes. "Loss Leader" finds Spoon crafting basketfuls full of original and just plain cool guitar riffs. The strength of their work to this point landed them on a major label for their next release, A SERIES OF SNEAKS. However, the relationship ended quickly; the album was unjustly ignored by the label. Not to be thwarted, Spoon landed on their feet, and entered the new century with the exceptional GIRLS CAN TELL album.