Lazer guided Melodies

Two fantastic new albums of old stuff

Spiritualized - Friendly Fire

1992 saw the release of Spiritualized's first album, Lazer Guided Melodies, a fantastic combination of drone rock, driving guitars and horns that saw Jason Pierce free himself from the constrains of Spacemen 3 and start moving towards the heady heights of 1997's Ladies and Gentlemen album. Recently the bass guitarist on this album, Willie B Carruthers, came into possession of 50 copies of a collection of demos and rehearsals from this period and was selling these online. It is amazing to hear the blueprints for songs such as Smiles, You Know it's true and Run. To hear the steady building pulse present in these songs even at this early stage is incredible. One set of the rehearsals was recorded in the front room of Pierce's flat and yet the guitars still manage to scale those euphoric heights and more than hint at the finished album's sound. Incredibly sad to be getting excited about a collection of rehearsal tapes, but this is a snapshot of a band at the start of their career. A band that only existed in this shape for a couple of years before dissolving acrimoniously. Reissue of the year for me without a doubt!




Saint Etienne - Nice Price

Another collection of demos and unreleased mixes is this by Saint Etienne. This covers their entire career from the early 90s right up to last year. Bob, Sarah and Pete have always strived to recreate the sound in their heads within a groovy classic pop framework. Beginning with the pure pop masterpiece of Nothing can stop us (clear to hear even in this demo form) and moving right up to the pocket symphony of last year's Milk Bottle Symphony where no audio trick is left out. This is an album bursting with sounds. Versions of songs like Hobart Paving and Angel surpass those already available. The demos show that their version of high concept catchy pop music is present from the earliest stage in the process. Only available to fanclub members, see here for more info.