Spiritualized - Songs in A&E 320cbr (Big Papi) British Dream

Source: CD

Spiritualized - Songs in A&E 320cbr (Big Papi) British Dream Pop


So much info about how this guy almost died from double pneumonia and emerged more spiritual than ever. Let's be honest. His pneumonia was likely a symptom of the slow suicide he was committing by using drugs while his newfound spirituality is a result of a recovery program that millions before him have done. Glad to see this.....best album ever and proof an artist doesn't have to be drunk or high to create something amazing. - Big Papi




By Peter R
To me, this is the best Spiritualized record since `Ladies and Gentlemen'.

First lyric point: I think this is his most lyrically interesting work. Content wise, JP seems to have wallowed in the self-pity of drug addiction. I found his musical glorification of his wretched state a bit annoying. But maybe as a non-drug user, I just couldn't relate. The lyrics on this record seem to be much more honest. Dwelling on death is probably as much of a rock lyric cliché as the addiction/redemption dichotomy, but I think he explores it with more insight and heart. (As an aside, I've read that most of this record was written prior to his major illness. So I find the fact that he got to this point without the actual brush with death all the more impressive.)

Second lyrical point: JP's penchant for parodying clichés as a basis for lyrics seems to be gone. And I'm glad. Other than `She Kissed Me and It Felt Like a Hit', I found these groan inducing rather than funny or insightful.

Musically: I thought "Let it Come Down" was really overblown and sterile (relative to L&G. It's still sonically a very impressive sound). And I thought "Amazing Grace" was good but a bit too raw and under-produced. But for me, I think this record is the perfect balance of the two sounds. It has great dynamic range in the arrangement and mix/master which is a welcome change these days. The loan acoustic guitar sounds detailed but hushed, and the orchestra sounds massive but with a lot more restraint than LICD.

And I really like the Harmony Interludes and how they help pace out the album.

In summary, I know Jason Pierce hasn't been labouring for the last 10 years trying to make a second great record to please me personally, but I must say, he has succeeded.