Amazing Grace - Spiritualized

'Amazing Grace' by Spiritualized. Is it, like some of its fellow overlooked LPs, dying on the musical vine, in the shadow of ' Ladies & Gentlemen We Are Floating In Space'. The LP that made Spiritualized a name to be remembered and reckoned with. Jason and his band of soul searching villains have, since then, released a few LPs, as well as a greatest hits / obscurities compilation, which was all very well, and a 'Live @ The Royal Albert Hall' LP, ...
...a great LP that subtly strayed from a tried and tested formula, involving an almost domineering keyboard sound, with Jason singing his heart out about the trials and tribulations of getting to a better place through the crap thrown your way after all the bad choices you've made...
Trouble is that on both 'Let It Come Down' and to some respects, 'Live @ The Royal Albert Hall' LP, Jason tried singing delicately and solemnly, which he has proved ... more

'Amazing Grace' by Spiritualized. Is it, like some of its fellow overlooked LPs, dying on the musical vine, in the shadow of ' Ladies & Gentlemen We Are Floating In Space'. The LP that made Spiritualized a name to be remembered and reckoned with. Jason and his band of soul searching villains have, since then, released a few LPs, as well as a greatest hits / obscurities compilation, which was all very well, and a 'Live @ The Royal Albert Hall' LP, they released 'Let It Come Down'.
It was a great LP that subtly strayed from a tried and tested formula, involving an almost domineering keyboard sound, with Jason singing his heart out about the trials and tribulations of getting to a better place through the crap thrown your way after all the bad choices you've made...
Trouble is that on both 'Let It Come Down' and to some respects, 'Live @ The Royal Albert Hall' LP, Jason tried singing delicately and solemnly, which he has proved he can do on numerous occasions before on previous releases, as the bands name might suggest.
But on these 2 LPs, it just sounded a little to much like he couldn't be bothered singing, and that the spirit in Spiritualized had faded and died somehow. So, what does this album deliver? Well, the sleeve shows an arm. An arm with no track marks on however. Was this the cause of the subdued Jason on previous work? Was this the reason why this LP delivered what others had hinted at? Whatever it was that changed, changed for the good of all our sakes. And Jason's. Thankfully.
Again, less keyboard work, which I personally don't mind, and more focus on a raw honest sound, made with guitar, drums and all the usual suspects. Drenched in rattling rock n roll, bleeding heart gospel tinged harmonies, and even some trademark noisy jazz freak-outs.
And, Jason got the singing just about right. You can hear that he's feeling it.

TRK 1. Makes you sit upright and pay attention with the aforementioned rattling R'N'R jangle.
Conveying a message that says 'come check this action out'.

TRK 2. Same kind of sound delivering images of self-improvement? through love not drugs.

TRK 3. The first truly epic track on the LP. Opening with its glorious, gospel fuelled instrumental intro, calming to Jason and his heartfelt and achingly knowledgeable plea to us all. "You gotta hold on, baby, to those you hold dear". From its initial grand rapture, to its intermittent ups and downs and on, to its sublime and fragile finale. Just awesome.

TRK 4. A calm intro envelops an equally calm voice, almost singing, about not letting opportunities slip... Then comes the true singing, the restrained crashing symbols and some well placed guitar. Track 3 revisited with a message of equal importance and beauty.

TRK 5. Jangle jangle jangle. Such urgency, with Jason singing his spite-filled soul out. R'N'R!
"SHOULDVE BEEN SOLD WITH A WARNING TAG"

TRK 6. An instrumental filled with quiet cool percussion and some, not too outrageous guitar, lead us unsuspectingly into another great jazz style jam, given away by the sudden and tremendous trumpeting. A nice reminder of 'Ladies & Gentlemen'...

TRK 7. The LPs best track. A short definite intro takes us into a heart breaking message of disillusion. Jason begging Jesus to come and take him, having had enough of this earth and the trouble its in, thanks to Jesus. 3 quarters through and the true power of the backing gospel choir kicks in clearly behind a rejuvenated Jason, sounding like he's in his saviours arms.

TRK 8. A string arrangement accompanying strong guitar is heard, along side Jason, trying to forget the dismal past. Reminiscent, surprisingly of the 'Laid' LP by James.

TRK 9. Keen percussion, bass, forceful vocals and all with some nice keyboard. Proper grooving!

TRK 10. Another delicate composition, images of seeing a sunset lowering through your tear-filled eyes are conjured, just from the music. It really is soaked in sentiment and sorrow. The vocals are desperate and timid. Heartbreaking stuff that bleeds into some suggestion of another epic jazz solo,
but this time the restraints are on. The brass is held back, as is the jangled guitar work.

TRK 11. A perfect love song that surely Richard Ashcroft should've done backing vocals on. I f those two have made friends yet! An offering of sacrifice and devotion delivered honestly and soft.
The track builds into its strong, but not epic outro. The LP closes.
Leaves you needing a smoke or a brew.  

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