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If you can remember way back to the early 1990s then you can
maybe remember a now mythic time in music when young bands were
fusing the sounds of The Velvet Underground with a host
of wild influences. One of those bands was called Spiritualized,
and before Jason Spaceman dropped once more into a haze
of drug induced psychedelia he released an amazing record called
Lazer Guided Melodies. It was filled with softly strummed
acoustic guitars and meandering lead guitar lines over gently
played drums and solid bass lines. It was, in a word, perfect.
Psalms, Hymns, & Spiritual Songs is the long-lost
twin brother of Lazer Guided Melodies. This collection
of songs by this now unknown band will hopefully open them up
to a host of fans, folks who like a bit of softly strummed folk
with their relaxed psychedelia. That is me, and maybe you. Songs
like "Getting By", with its clear guitar lines and drowsy
melody, and "Better Day", which introduces a bit more
shoegaze into the sound paired with a brilliant almost Snow
Patrol melody line, are sure to be with a listener for a long
time. The tracks have a slight bit of melancholy in them, the
lyrics somewhat hidden with lush reverbs, but the guitars sparkling
and jangly. "Inbetween Everything" gets a J. Spaceman
vibe started early, and drones along in a blissful way for a fantastic
six-minute spaced-out jam before the country grime of "Don't
Get Hung Up". I've never led you astray, but if you doubt
me for one second, take a quick listen to the psych anthem "Beginnings
And Ends" for a slice of the perfect sound that this band
purveys… trembling organ underscores the brilliant Britpop
guitar and sexy, slow drumming.
The songs on Psalms, Hymns, & Spiritual Songs are
charming, like a Southern gentleman come calling on a Sunday afternoon,
and smooth like the best Irish whiskey. Fans of dreampop and shoegaze
would do well to take a fair listen to The Stevenson Ranch
Davidians… there are moments of Perishers, Slowdive,
My Bloody Valentine, Ride, and dare I say, The
Jesus And Mary Chain. This is a fantastic collection of songs
that will softly lull you into whatever state you wish to aim
for… I'll take mine dreamy.
-Embo Blake
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