Putting down the magazine (take your pick which one) the sometimes pointless nature of reviewing music quickly sets in. What could I possibly say about the latest Spiritualized record that hasn't already been said? What could I possibly say that wouldn't piss Pierce off (that is if he were ever in a million years to read it)?

There are a few choices and approaches usually to this process. One way is to go with the cynical angle of how it's pretty much the same thing over again, that one song he wrote years ago recycled into eleven songs packaged with a cover that looks oddly familiar [close to Low's 2002 Trust album with a white background instead of red (Ed. note: Don't forget Spoon's Kill the Moonlight cover art!)]. Another way is to give up and simply admit the genius that makes this, one of modern music true marvels, possible.

Middle of the road as I am on so many things, I think this record is a little bit of both. Some songs are winners, others tweak you to the point of daring you to switch tracks. But man when it's on, is it ever.

On first listen, there's that feeling that you've heard the songs before, that mix of gospel influence and religious lyrical content mixed with agnostic musings, dry wit, bitterness, and noisy feedback. A song like "Hold On" for example, a wonderfully anthemic song with the line "hold on to those you hold dear" rings a bell, but a friendly one. "Lord Let It Rain on Me" even repeats the line "let it come down" from the previous record. Referencing the past and pressing forward though has always been an endearing quality of Pierce. It's what we expect of him because if he suddenly came out with a record completely leaning toward the noisy guitar rock "This Little Life of Mine" or "She Kissed Me (It Felt Like A Hit)," you'd probably find yourself asking where the gospel-fused pieces with that oh so soulful harmonica and organ went.

posted 10.11.03

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Matt Ralph has bags full of bad CD's. Add to his collection at matt@tangzine.com