Grade: B+ | Genre: Rock Summary: Spoon returns to rock a more mature and confident sound while still injecting their flair for catchy tunes on their fifth full-length album, Gimme Fiction

One of the best Brit Bands to not even be British has got to be the Austin, Texas Trio, Spoon. Long time band mates, Britt (what a coincidence) Daniel and Jim Eno, along with an assortment of bass players, have developed their infectious alt-pop sound since 1994, and remain a favorite of indie aficionados. They continue to fly under the radar while building a stronger fan base with each release.

Spoon returns to rock a more mature and confident sound while still injecting their flair for catchy tunes on their fifth full-length album, Gimme Fiction. These Texans have crafted an exhilarating collection of upbeat and toe tapping melodies that are a progression of their artistic merit and musical ambition.

When a friend you haven't seen in quite a while re-enters your life, the natural thing is to reacquaint yourselves and catch up on old times. The mid tempos of "The Beast and Dragon, Adored" fill us in on what our dear old pals from Spoon have been up to since the previously released, Kill the Moonlight. They tell stories of how they've "been learnin' their scene" and keep us captivated the whole time.

"The Two Sides of Monsieur Valenti" makes us feel like they were never gone and picks up where they left off on Moonlight. It's one of many gifts and souvenirs that the band has brought back with them, and you can't wait to see and hear more.

"I turn my camera on" and "My Mathematical Mind" remind us why we love them so much and how they should never leave us again. They touch on old styles, but with a new energy and soul that only time and casual travels can help nourish.

"I Summon You" is like a Beatles' anthem of self-discovery and inner personal confessions. Hearing verses like "Remember the weight of the world is the sound that we used to buy / on cassette and 45" has us picturing John and Paul vying for our attention. It's the soundtrack that is a barometer signaling our current lives and mind state. What it all comes down to is simple...we end up going back to what we left behind.

"They Never Got You" and "Merchants of Soul" round out this album of assured rock-n-roll in Spoon sized servings. Gimme Fiction won't change your life, but you're happy that they're back. Fans have been waiting for a while and will have to continue to wait until it its release on May 10th. However, for those of you savvy enough, I'm sure your resourcefulness on the web will help you get your fix.

For more critiques from this reviewer, please check out PM Media Review.