Let It Come Down

Spiritualized have always taken pride on their ability to illustrate the world of inner space through sound. On their previous work, "Ladies And Gentlemen We Are Floating In Space", inner space fused itself to an emotional catharsis. Now, with the demons exorcised and the slate wiped clean, we find ourselves in new territory...

And is it ever new. Gone is the sparseness of previous works, the mesmeric drone-rock of old, the experimentation and the element of surprise. What's presented inside this typically luscious box is a music that Pierce has never had to resort to before. For whatever reason, call it record company pressure or the fact that Spiritualized have never had to perform music dealing with positivity before, "Let It Come Down" is the sound of a tortured soul emerging from the depths, grinning from ear to ear.

Elements from previous records remain - the gospel choirs and orchestration of "Ladies And Gentlemen..." in all their grandiose splendour on "Don't Just Do Something" and current single "Stop Your Crying" being prime examples. But a lot has changed. Some undoubtedly for the worse - gone are the one-chord atmospherics of Pure Phaze and the dream-like symphonies evident on Lazer Guided Melodies. But look at the positives - Pierce is singing better than ever (you can actually understand what he's on about for a change, almost as if he wants you to hear his messages of redemption), the sound is full and awe-inspiring. And not only that, but in the lively "Do It All Over Again", Pierce has unwittingly written the best song a summer will ever have.

As not only a Spiritualized, but also a Spacemen 3 fan for as long as I can remember, I've always cherished and admired Jason Pierce / Spaceman's ability to craft epic soundscapes with minimal effort. The purists out there will say things such as LAGWAFIS' "Electricity" is much superior to "The Twelve Steps'" demonic police-siren blast. Or that "The Straight And The Narrow" isn't as heartfelt as "Broken Heart". Well, Pierce has matured, grown and blossomed as the premier writer of SONGS (and not of soundscapes and 'moments') that he always had the potential to be.

Albert Hall, 10th October 1997. I was there (at least I think I was). What I heard and viewed on that triumphant night will live on in the memory for many years. The perfect theatre for the music of kings. With "Let It Come Down", Spiritualized have moved into the realm of arenas and purpose-built auditoria. No longer only for spaced-out indie kids - hell, even the Sun made this their album of the week.

So stuff the purists, I say. They should persevere. This album heals. Experience the beauty.

And what a way tofinish an album: "Lord can you hear me" will take your breath away.

All in all a wonderful album that, much like Ladies & Gentlemen...., flows brialliantly from one piece to the next.