by Jessica Price - SGN Contributing Writer

Spoon
April 10
Moore Theatre

Britt Daniel, lead singer and guitarist of Spoon, is a traditionally non-traditional man fronting a band that's a bit of an anomaly, as well. Though their sound is best described as simple, straightforward rock 'n' roll, they're a bit weirder and more angular than most if you pay attention. It's all in the details with Spoon. Appearing at the luxuriously dilapidated Moore Theatre for two nights last week, the Texas band proved yet again that they only get better with age and that their sound - though minimal - remains dense and stylish.

The lights were simple, and the backdrop was a plain series of rectangular panels. Much like his solo man-with-guitar-and-practice-amp tour many years ago (some might remember an amazing, low-key show at the now-defunct Breakroom), Daniel took the stage alone for a plaintive "Me and The Bean" and simplified new song "Mystery Zone." Joined by drummer Jim Eno, Eric Harvey on keys, and bassist Rob Pope, "Written in Reverse" picked up the pace, showcasing Britt's well-honed howl and spasmodic sense of rhythm. "Got Nuffin" was the first full-on stomper of the 90-minute set, though since Spoon is all grown up now and playing larger venues, it felt harder to connect to the energy onstage from way up in the rafters.

Down on the floor, "Don't Make Me A Target" and the always stunning "The Ghost of You Lingers" had all eyes pinned to the stage and all bodies moving. "Who Makes You Money," reminiscent of a finely chopped Prince outtake, demonstrated the carefully crafted self-editing Spoon toys with so much on newest release Transference. "Small Stakes," "Someone Something," and an unexpected but shining cover of Wolf Parade's "Modern World" were riveting high points.

Daniel's affable stage banter and confidence in 2010 seem to be a testament to the phenomenon that any band could continue to toe the line through the mid-'90s graveyard of indie rock and not even get to their best work until the latter half of the early 2000s. Nevertheless, they've survived, and have retained what made them great to begin with. Daniel and his longtime bandmates have built a career with impeccable writing and spontaneous, unfinished edges. Wrapping up with a stellar encore selection from Kill the Moonlight (including "Vittorio E," "Back to the Life," and "The Way We Get By"), Spoon took a gracious bow with "Don't You Evah" and said farewell. These days the tall, unassuming Britt Daniel takes up residence in Portland. Presumably life is a bit more under-the-radar away from the Lone Star State, but you can tell that Daniel, and all of Spoon, will keep stretching to see just how far they can push their own majestic limits.

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