I like the old stuff better, don't I?

I don't know if there's any scientific evidence on this, but I'm sure you've noticed the phenomenon music when a band or artist you like releases a new album that doesn't quite live up to your opinion of the artist. For me, this happens ALL THE TIME. Every new release by a band I love is subconsciously judged against their previous work, and never quite measures up. Rarely do I ever find myself really appreciating the newest work by an old favorite.

An example of a summer 2007 album to meet this fate is the latest by Spoon, titled Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga. There are some really great songs on this album ("The Underdog" "Finer Feelings"), but as a whole, I find myself kind of bored by nearly HALF of the album. Really, only 4 of the 10 tracks stand out as great tunes, while another 4 seem to drag on after promising starts, leaving 2 songs on the bubble. In my mind, this record doesn't compare with Kill the Moonlight, or my favorite, Girls Can Tell. My perception of those prior Spoon albums is that of a truly unique sound, with catchy but odd and somewhat soulful tunes. The songs Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga seem too normal to fit into the my perception.

But, who is responsible for my opinion on this album? Am I really blaming Spoon for writing a normal album? What kind of expectations can we realistically put on an artist? As a music fan, do I have a right to complain when I feel a band is straying too far from what I loved about them, and simultaneously criticize them when they simply repeat themselves? Ironically, in the case of Spoon, further examination of the new album reveals that the songs I like the most are actually the ones that are the most adventurous. In particular, I love the loose-swinging Paul Simon feel on "The Underdog" and the reverbed 60's soul sound on "You've Got Yr. Cherry Bomb."

And the rest of the album still sounds like no one else but Spoon, maintaining the uniqueness I admire in their music. So where does that leave me? Is it all in my mind? Or does it boil down to the possibility that a few of the songs are just not that good?

Sports

In sports on Sunday, the Cubs lost their fragile grip on first place, while the Bears lost their fragile grip on the football. I think the Sox lost, too, if anyone cares. When do the Bulls start?