Let It Come Down - Spiritualized

Spiritualized is one band I am truly fanatical about, but I promise to try very hard not to enthuse to the point that you have to reach for a bucket. The music is on the one hand beautifully orchestrated, yet maintains a firm and constant grip on guitar driven rock-pop (that phrase just doesn't do them justice!), with a touch of jazz stylings, and a liberal scattering of blues. A little background for you. Regardless of the moniker, Spiritualized is basically one man, Jason Pierce (or 'Spaceman'), and whoever he decides to have in his band at any time. After the last album proper, Ladies and Gentlemen We are Floating in Space (1997) he famously ...  Read the complete review

Spiritualized is the brainchild of Jason Pierce, a gentleman who amazed and surprised many by making some of the most atmospheric, blissful and beautiful music of the 1990s. What could he possibly do to top a trio of jaw-dropping, genre-defining, awe-inspiring albums? He sacked his entire band and started again with a new one. Well, it worked for Jimi Hendrix. 'Let It Come Down' is a towering achievement - both musically and emotionally. As usual, Pierce has drawn his inspiration from a wide pool - everything from Ray Charles' country and western LPs made at the end of the '50s to Dennis Wilson's heartbreak album 'Pacific ...  Read the complete review

In 1997 Spiritualized released their recording "Ladies And Gentlemen We Are Floating In Space" to massive critical acclaim. In a year which included The Verve's "Urban Hymns" and Radiohead's "OK Computer" it even managed to pick up album of the year awards in some quarters- no mean feat. My own opinion was that there were some truly great tracks- the title track and "Broken Heart" to name just two- but there were also parts I just didn't get. However it was obviously an excellent piece of work. Four years later and Jason Pierce has seen his ex-girlfriend marry Richard Ashcroft, sacked all previous members of ...  Read the complete review