Album review

Spiral Stairs

The Real Feel

added: 10 Nov 2009 // release date: 19 Oct 2009 // label: Domino
reviewer: Owen Gillham

Right, so Spiral Stairs is the guitarist and co-founder of Pavement who went on to then form Preston School of Industry? Yep. Well, Pavement fans, step away from this record if you want something that sounds remotely like Pavement.

If on the other hand, you’re looking for a record which sounds like it could have been co-written by Iggy Pop (circa The Passenger) and Neil Young (circa Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere) and recorded by an early ‘70s Crazy Horse with Iggy taking lead, you’ll be in for a treat. It’s mad, but it works – consistently.

From the bluesy, garage brawl of the opening track to the resplendent, stoned and washed out beauty of the more reflective songs presented here, there is rarely a moment of weakness or question over direction or taste. The overall product is largely flawless. Bloody odd, but flawless.

It’s a weird one and probably defies explanation, or even warrants it to be honest. Just take the record for what it is, and enjoy it.

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