Spiritualized – Lazer Guided Melodies

 

Spiritualized – Lazer Guided Melodies

By

Jesse E. Mullen

 

The term “space rock” has an interesting connotation in the world of rock music. Mention the genre around the boomer generation and you’re likely to hear tales of listening to Pink Floyd or The Grateful Dead as a youth. But mention it around a Gen X-er and chances are you’ll hear about two groups – Spacemen 3 and Loop.

Spacemen 3 were formed in Rugby, UK in 1982, and were centered around the songwriting partnership of Jason Pierce and Peter Kember (better known as Sonic Boom.) They blended the sound of 60s psychedelic rock like The Red Krayola with the garage rock sound of MC5. But alas all good things must come to an end.

After tense recording sessions of their final album – 1990’s Recurring – Spacemen 3 disbanded in acrimony. Kember could no longer work with Pierce and left to form Spectrum. Pierce took the remaining members and formed Spiritualized.

It didn’t take long for Spiritualized to release music. Because of a clause in the contract Spacemen 3 signed with Dedicated, Spiritualized were still under contract with them as well – as well as manager Gerald Palmer.

As a result, the first Spiritualized single was released on the imprint in June of 1990 just months after Spacemen 3 broke up. A cover of The Troggs “Anyway That You Want Me,” it showed Pierce was still in touch with his roots as a garage rock shaman.

The b-side however, was where things got interesting. An early mix of “Step Into The Breeze” – a Pierce original which would later show up on the debut album – displayed a new sound in Pierce. It was altogether slower and dreamier than anything he’d written to that point. It was also more romantic.

The source of the romance was soon clear. Pierce’s significant other – Kate Radley – soon joined on keyboards and backing vocals. Her presence made the music sound even dreamier, and the next singles released showed a renewed interest in gospel music, something Pierce displayed since 1987’s “Walking With Jesus” single.

Anticipation was high for the debut album, but the question remained – could Spiritualized measure up to the hype of the early singles? And could they step out of the long shadow of Spacemen 3? Answers to these questions would finally come in spring of 1992 when Lazer Guided Melodies was released.

The album gets off to a soothing start with “You Know It’s True.” A gentle guitar line by Pierce and Mark Refoy opens the track sounding much like a lullaby. Pierce’s voice enters at almost a whisper, and Radley joins in with her own hushed tones.

The subtle refrain of “I love you” at the end makes it clear that Pierce and Radley are talking to each other through song. The track also shows Pierce willing to take a risk by lulling his audience into the album, rather than bursting out of the gate with something up-tempo.

Things only get better from here. “I Want You” chugs along like prime Velvet Underground. Pierce and Radley harmonize again, as the song builds to a transcendent chorus.

“Smiles” channels the more progressive rock-oriented material John Lennon was producing towards the end of The Beatles run. The track builds from a subtle drone of guitars and Pierce’s voice to a psychedelic swirl of organ and hammer dulcimer.

This loud/soft dynamic reappears later on “Angel Sigh.” Pierce compares Radley’s gaze to that of an angel over a warm three note bassline and gospel organs. When the track builds to a crescendo of horns, it is both exhilarating and life-affirming.

But perhaps the best track is the remixed “Step Into The Breeze.” The song starts with a lush viola and a simple guitar arpeggio. Pierce’s voice enters – drenched in reverb – describing the content feelings in his relationship.

Although lacking a chorus, the music builds to a crescendo where one would normally be. This crescendo is much more satisfying on the album than on the original mix. The guitars and drums have been smoothed over to blend in and out of the soundscape seamlessly.

Lyrically the song is the most interesting declaration of love on the album. Pierce uses a river and a cool breeze as a metaphor for having everything he needs in the relationship. He gives the listener plenty to work with but is vague enough to keep us wondering.

Ironically, Radley is MIA on the track. It was recorded before she joined later on in 1990. However, like a ghost, her presence is felt without being heard. Speaking of ghostly, the album ends as gently as it started – with Radley counting up to 200 over a harmonious guitar and bassline.

Oftentimes, musicians will only get one shot at stardom. When that doesn’t work out, they are typically forced to toil away in the minor league club circuit. But there are exceptions. With Lazer Guided Melodies, Jason Pierce proved there was a path forward after Spacemen 3. Spiritualized went onto greener pastures, but Pierce was never again as freewheeling as he was here.

Dedicated/1992