Spiritualized - Songs In A & E (Album)

Jason Pierce bares his pained soul for all to hear with his sixth and possibly most ambitious studio album to date. The 18 tracks are interjected by six short harmony pieces (mellotron, piano, voice, the old man, accordion, and glockenspiel) creating soothing markers and added drama between songs. Ironically titled due to his near death pneumonia experience in 2005, the album has the feel of someone who has been within touching distance of the great void.

The melancholic body of work is a subtle combination of orchestral gospel and a blues-country rock heart. Mostly intense, it is at times uplifting. After the introductory Harmony 1 (mellotron), Sweet Talk opens the album proper, and, true to its title is on the sweet side of melancholy. Borrowed Your Gun, on the other hand, is heart wrenchingly peaceful and lyrically dark. I Gotta Fire is vocally reminiscent of Caleb Followill (Kings Of Leon) with a southern US rock rawness. Baby I’m Just A Fool is a jingle jangle epic resolved with horns and a big orchestral play out, while Don’t Hold Me Close is a pure gem - beautifully sparse with accompanying vocals from Rachel, wife of American film director, Harmony Korine.

Pierce is not afraid to bear his big vulnerable heart on his sleeve and delivers a master class in melancholic honesty like an open wound.