Spiritualized

Jason Pierce is ever the musical chameleon, and his band Spiritualized’s new Sweet Heart Sweet Light is further proof of that.

The album opens with “Hey Girl,” which sounds like David Bowie fronting The Velvet Underground. It’s driven by an insistent acoustic guitar groove, a plunking 4/4 bass line and slight organ touches. Pierce’s weary lead vocal is backed by soulful female backing vocals. It tells the story of a young girl seemingly intent on living fast and dying young. “Some say you got a rotten soul,” the lyrics say, then continue, “But I say Janey loves rock and roll.” It’s probably not in coincidence that The Velvet Underground’s most famous song is titled “Sweet Jane.” Heck, this may even be a sequel to that song. The album’s title, Sweet Heart Sweet Light, may also allude to “Sweet Jane” and “White Light” by The Velvet Underground. However, it’s Pierce’s overall druggy sounding music that makes it so Lou Reed/John Cale-y.

With “Little Girl,” another song about a girl, begins with Pierce admitting, “Sometimes I wish that I was dead/Because only the living can feel the pain.” It’s a desperate little song, with a country-soul groove that brings ‘70s Rolling Stones music to mind.

Pierce is in no great hurry to finish his songs. Two of these clock in at over eight minutes long, one is over seven and two others are at least six minutes in length. The shortest track is the intro, “Huh (intro),” which is only one minute.

Spiritualized can often be a nasty little band. However, Pierce and gang can certainly come off pretty when they want to. Just get a load of “Too Late,” which has nearly a fairytale quality to it. Pierce’s vocal is sincere and vulnerable, and the melody is sweet and warm. It’ll break your heart, that’s for sure.

Sweet Heart Sweet Light may not describe all of this new recording, but it does summarize some of it. No matter the vibe, though, Jason Pierce sounds inspired throughout. And seven albums into a career, one can hardly ask for more than that.