Spiritualized - Cheapster

Fri 9th Apr, 2004 in Music Reviews

Opening up with classic rock Hammond, ‘Cheapster’ the first single from Spiritualized’s new album ‘Amazing Grace’, is reminiscent of a garage version of the John Spencer Blues Explosion.

The follow up to their amazing album ‘Ladies and Gentlemen, We Are Floating In Space’ was described by front man Jason Pierce as ‘stripped back’, but when you hear the beautifully layered instruments in this track you have to wonder exactly what definition Jason Pierce uses.

Garage sounding, but containing a style and reverence that garage music rarely rises to, ‘Cheapster’ is equally energetic and raw, as well as composed and slick. The energetic and raw sound comes from the recording process, with the entire album recorded in five days. Jason Pierce described it as “the band had become so electric through playing live, I wanted to be able to capture the best of that experience on the sessions”.

Certainly the skill of musicianship has been captured and melded well into slick and stylish musicianship to show these old rockers still have something to show the young kids.