Great Music While High: Spiritualized

Spirtualized’s album, Ladies and Gentleman We are Floating in Space, released in 1997, is third out of now seven albums and perhaps one of the most notable. In the world of genre splitting, vocalist, writer and composure for the band, Jason Pierce, considers the band to be space rock. Given his often-used pseudonym J. Spaceman it’s no surprise space rock would be his pick, though lovers of neo-psychedelia and experimental rock would have no trouble making room for Spiritualized on their playlists.

Ladies and Gentleman We are Floating in Space can be introduced with the ability to illustrate each song’s story with palpable, vibrant imagery. The first song of the album, also called “Ladies and Gentleman We are Floating in Space,” immediately translates the language of the music to be expected; intimate layerings of instruments used to penetrate and transcend the listener.

Pierces voice is waxy as he coos each line, “All I want in life’s a little bit of love To take the pain away/ Getting strong today/ A giant step each day.” Lyrical content for the album ranges from serenely sweet and delicate to cruel and hyper realistic to completely non-existent in songs like “No God Only Religion,” and “The Individual,” both of which examine instrumental chaos. Each song has a deliberate and simple message to be experienced. The manipulation of overlapping vocals and repetitious phrases creates a swell and fall that tickles the cerebral.

Ladies and Gentleman We are Floating in Space is best served through eleven on the amps volume control, while in the horizontal position, with a side of essential oils and warm lighting.

Check out other posts from Weedist’s Great Music While High series!