Going gaga for Spoon's latest

CHOICE

Spoon

The beats might be perky, the melodies bright as a buttercup, and the title a whimsical "Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga," but Spoon's sixth album has an evocative, dark slant. From the terrific pulsing opener, "Don't Make Me a Target," to the curt horn and acoustic-guitar stomp of "The Underdog," these wonderfully produced and arranged songs brim with optimism and are pounded out purposefully -- much like the Austin indie-rock quartet's 11-year-recording career, really.

Frontman Britt Daniel's raw, raspy voice rolls out on sumptuous rhythms that switch from go-go pop to Latin to ragga. Eric Harvey's keyboards occasionally take over from Daniel's jagged or spiraling guitar figures lines, adding haunting monotone stabs or luscious swirls.

Dreary closer "Black Like Me" finds the band out of steam, but the stunning "RHTHM & Soul" -- where Daniel's voice cracks as he adds the poignant line, "Winter gets cold in ways you always forget" -- finds Spoon at the top of its game. [Linda Laban]