Playing With Fire

Dreadful - I can only assume the band’s family and friends felt sorry for them and bought multiple copies to get it on this list. That or they paid the judging panel.

It was definitely a vibe, some I enjoyed and some not so much.

Some songs were okay, some I skipped. 2 hours is too long for this album.

Pleasant, but not my thing

Different …would listen again.

Slow, long and overindulgent.

Dad- 5 Mom- 3 Mike- NA Lori- 7 Michael- 4 Miles- 8 Cole- NA Avg- 5.4

I am so deeply offended by the addition of this album to the list that I almost quit this project. These are not the best albums, they’re just albums that some British dudes like I guess? This album sucked. The singing, musicianship, the droning, the mixing— all so so terrible I can’t believe it. Even with “So Hot” after spending all the previous time being so annoyed by what I’ve heard it was ok, then he starts singing and I’m mad as hell again

It was interesting at first, but too long and it started to give me a headache.

Didn’t really listen to it, it did not capture me, but again a surprise to see it was released 33–36 years ago

Bit bland

This must be how real spacemen feel sometimes...bored to tears waiting for things to get interesting. But then something interesting DOES happen...and it's driven into the ground until it's no longer interesting.

Dazed and bemused.

2/5 Turhan hidastempoista omaan makuun.

Tylsää... Kyllähän tuon työmatkalla auton kajareista kuunteli, mutta taustamusiikiksi jää.

Ei kolahtanut oikeastaan ollenkaan. Hippirokkia kasatilta?

No johan taas oli...

Sopivaa taustamusiikkia, ei oikein herätä suuntaan tai toiseen tuntemuksia. Vähän outoja kappaleita. Ei tule uutta suosikki tästä pumpusta.

Hävyttömän pitkä levy tällaiselle avaruusmaalailulle. 3 biisiä olis riittäny.

How Does it Feel" and "Suicide" are outstanding tracks that really showcase what this band does best—spacey atmosphere mixed with Velvet Underground like vocals. The rest of the album feels like it’s chasing the high of those two songs but doesn’t quite get there. Still, it’s a solid listen overall. I wish I could give it 3.5 stars.

While it can get a bit repetitive when they are in a groove the record works jn the trippy spacey way intended.

Spacey and weird. Not a bad listen.

Not necessarily an every day or every situation album, but it's pretty, spacey, and I found myself zoning out listening to it, in a good way. I'll listen to this one again, but probably not soon.

What was the point of this album?

Interesting far-out psychedelic rock/space rock/shoegzae album from the late 1980s. I like these genres though this album was a bit more challenging to listen to, as most of the songs were very spacey, with no clear direction. I enjoyed it but I think I need more listens to understand this album better. 3/3.5 out of 5.

3 stars for 3 spacemen

It's just the 1st 9 tracks. It's got some long loopy droney jams & as a whole, it's alright. Kinda annoying how this site always selects the whole deluxe, multi disc version & not just the core album.

First listen to this album and this band, I'll check out their other stuff.

I just found this irritating and felt like it was trying to irritate me

Ganske monotont og en prøvelse i starten. Har sine verdier og kvaliteter. Oppleves enkelte ganger vokalmessig som en blek kopi av Jim Morrison. Beste låt Suicide.

Don't know what to expect here, never heard of these guys. It's a 2 hr album! Oh wow, this is an 80s album. I thought it was 90s. I did not get through the whole thing :/

I guess I'm ok with some of this, but not enough to want to put it on, and most likely would probably take it off once it got past the first couple tracks. It goes on for a loonnng time. Probably a 1.5 for me.

Well - that’s clearly on the wrong list. This album should be in 1000 albums that will make you want to die list. I found the original version with 9 tracks, because 2 hours of this crap really would make you suicidal. I couldn’t get through more than half of any of the first 8 tracks because frankly they’re not music, just noise and some Emo mumbling. The ninth track I thought briefly might actually have a melody, but alas just 5 chords played over and over and over, while mister depressing talked over it. There are worse albums, but not many.

Interesting album, but far too long 2/5

I saw them around the time this came. They were amazing. I hadn't listened to this in a long time and I like it even more now if anything. I hear the usual Suicide and Stooges reference points routinely attached to them but surprising to me I hear Cluster even more.

Good start but dragged on seemingly interminably. Instrumentals in just couldn’t get into that also never seems to end. Might listen to individual songs again but this two-hour double disc was a chore

Some of these songs are barely songs at all; in fact, some feel like they would get blown apart by a stiff breeze. A lot of it feels like “Stereolab on acid” or “Jesus and Mary Chain on quaaludes.” Some songs are as dull as that suggests, but there are a couple, such as “I Believe It” and “Suicide” that are pretty damn solid and forward looking.

14/1001. After some grunge and brit pop it is so refreshing to hear guitars used for something creative :) It takes quite a lot of courage to strip down to so much, to remove chord progressions, riffs and what not. Many seem to claim they could do it, but I really do doubt it, at least on this level. The songs undulate, grow, fade away and (some) contain beautiful melodies. I'm a fan of the Spiritualized, in knew about Spacemen 3, but never listened to them too much. The meditative / religious themes seem to stem already from here. Have to dig in deeper after this :) If you open your mind a bit and think that music can also be about texture and tone rather than about Pop tunes crafted in an A B A or some other format this is for you. After all this I feel even more sad Spiritualized cancelled their show in 2023 for Epäjohdonmukaisten tanssiaiset.

Too long, too new-age goofy. Although I was a little surprised that it was produced in 1989 and not the 60's. Its certainly chill and quiet in places, and downright melancholic in others, sometimes giving you whiplash. Like they decided their soundscapes needed lyrics. This feels less like music as it does an experience, and boy oh boy I dont want to reflect on it

Noise

I really dig Spaceman 3, also a fan of Spiritualized as a result. This is a really great listen

Their 3rd album. Psychedelic/ Electronic. Many influences here, including Lou Reed, Pink Floyd and Joy Division plus more. Lyrically poetic, spiritual and melancholic. My favourite track was Suicide, long brooding. It's hard to say much more. The album is a whole, not singles. I liked it.

After the first few tracks I was ready to write it off as Electronic slop and give it a 1. Then came Revolution, which I found to be a brilliant track. It's the clear bridge between the likes of Harmonia, Suicide and later electronic acts such as Stereolab. The pulsing rhythmic repetitive beats work really well in the case of Revolution and Suicide, where there is a clear drum beat and its generally more uptempo. I just wish it continued that trend more though, rather than a lot of the more boring tracks like How does it feel. When the tracks are boring, they're a real chore to get through, but there are fun songs on here I'd listen to again.

It has moments. I have movements. A match made in heaven.

Please stop complaining and embrace the drone.

I was very interested in this at first but as it went on it bored me a bit ngl, but still it was okay

Floaty groovy album that drones on a little too long. Mostly enjoyable.

Boring…

It's not that I think this isn't for me, it's that I think it's actively bad. Saying it's shoegaze played by elementary school kids picking up instruments for the first time would be an insult to kids learning instruments. There are no sound concepts, everything is thin, the vocals are barely uttered. Favorite track: I couldn't even finish the album

Nul

Dreeaaamy nnoooooiiiiisssssssssee!

Started off strong but then got repetitive fast.

Blinky’s musical daydream. (It actually sounds like meditation music mostly)

Meh

ehhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, yeah I don't know about this one.

I can honestly say, I have never heard of these guys before. I’m surprised since I like to think of myself as a finger on the strong pulse of the music industry. My first impression is that they suit their name. It’s a very spacey sounding album. I can’t give more details than that for a description. It’s just waving sounds like I equate space to feel like. I wouldn’t be surprised if The Dandy Warhols were inspired by these guys. I’m not so sure that a person would pick a song off of here and I use it in their list of go to songs but I can say I feel the album can be a crutch for someone who may just want to get lost in their thoughts. This is not an album you’d put on to help you fall asleep or fuck or fight or party. Maybe it’s the album at the end of the party that comes on when all that’s left in the house are people who are either too stoned or high to move or those who have passed out or on the verge of passing out. Choice cut: How Does it Feel

It's okay... really baffling why this is on the list though.

Sounded repetitive & dull but fine

Found this to be useful background music.

Boring. Very much background music but I did have to switch it off as it could not hold my attention.

I've never really got Spacemen 3, so was surprised by how much I enjoyed this. It does still come with maybe the worst album cover I've ever seen?

What is this album? Is it even listenable? Standout tracks: None.

Langweilig

Dull

Best music for acid trip.

Total snoozefest. This is what I think it would sound like if the band Suicide sucked

I don’t know, I don’t smoke weed

Spacemen 3 assemble the pieces that would form the blueprint of what would become Spiritualized with Playing With Fire, an album that mostly does good on the themes displayed on the album cover and reinvokes the spirit of the psychedelic age to fit their modern times. An accurate purity of love bound by revolution and suicide. Favorites: Honey, Come Down Softly to Me, How Does It Feel, Let Me Down Gently, So Hot (Wash Away All of My Tears), Suicide, Lord Can You Hear Me.

Not for me

This album didn’t land for me at all, there was a lack of editing so even the parts I liked lasted too long. There were quite a few ideas and parts that I like but they did not come together for me at all

This is a great album and one that's been in my collection for a while. I love the trippy guitar-based sound of Spacemen 3, with all its motorik influences. Notably here is the track "Suicide"...the whole album is a classic 'less is more' piece of work.

I have tried this band in the past and it never registered with me. Still isn’t

Ok kinda stinks. I was in denial about it but this is a total snooze fest. Way more boring than I remember it being. I thought I liked this band? You really don't have to listen to this before you die.

Trippy, but not as good as Spiritualized's discography.

Man, this is way out there. Far out even. Psychedelic/space rock is strange enough, but the fact that this album was released in 1989 is even stranger. Too late to the party? Or perhaps too early for the rest of the world to comprehend? In any case, this all borders on being classified as shoegaze as well due to the album's general ambient/noisy vibe. I tend to see it as noise for the purpose of being noisy, though. Mix that with some LSD, and you get this album I guess. Maybe some reached enlightenment upon listening to this, but I did not. What's the opposite of enlightenment?

1.44

Great

how does it feel findi sehr geil, es zwingt eim uf e raffinierti wiis zu geduld. es stellt sich use: das zieht sich eig durs ganze album. mit de zit wirds chli astrengend, me wird zwei stunde lang zu geduld zwunge... aber: si schaffed mega mit obertön (z.b. in suicide (live) ischs mer mega ufgfalle)! so kuul. ich mues säge, obwohl d songs in sich repetitiv sind, findi s prinzip und s experimentelle vode songs und s album iwie no geil. allerdings hanis au zum butze aglost und chan mer vorstelle, dasses zum eif sitzend lose seehr astrengend isch.

Great space rock album. Reminds of Spirituilized.

2 star

Artsy, almost lullaby shoegaze. Like it, if only because it dares to be so different, especially in the go-go-go 80s. This rating feels somewhat generous, since honestly I don't expect to listen to it again.

Garbage. No reason for this to be on any list other than biggest waste of time list.

Can't quite put my finger on why I liked this so much. Some of the songs should be too repetitive, some of the vocals are quite weak but it is more than the sum of it's parts

I used to think this the weakest of Spacemen 3s 3 latter albums but completely changes my mind - although Perfect Prescription may be conceptually more interesting I think the mix here of melodic, almost tender songs and a couple of longer heavier ones gives this the edge. Always had a preference for Sonic Booms songs over Jasons and I think that still holds true for me.

Played this album whilst soaking my aching legs in the bath following a hard 3-set Padel match defeat where we’d thrown away match point at 5-2 in the 3rd set. It was perfect timing. Just lie back, chill and absorb as the endorphins wash over me. I probably wouldn’t have given this the focused time it needs otherwise. Spacemen 3 passed me by in my formative years, so this release offered up a whirlwind of interesting experimental soundscapes, with Revolution and Suicide being with standout tracks for me. In places, the latter sounded as though I was patiently loading a 1980s home computer game via cassette tape during its monumental 11 minutes of screeching yet somehow non-cacophonic feedback and squelching. Very happy to have discovered this album, especially as I used to really like some spiritualised back in the day. Will revisit some time for sure, maybe next time I take a bath .

Rock psyché

It's almost offensive that this album is called Playing With Fire. Revolution is the first track that actually has any grit or bop to it (five songs in!!!), and it still manages to drone on and bore. Why was How Does It Feel so long? Honestly, it feels like my time was being wasted. Can the song Suicide please end, my God. At the very least, what is here is at least pleasant, if excruciatingly boring, so it doesn't get a 1, but this album is tough.

This had some good ideas/sections, but they needed to be fleshed out because it mostly came off as erratic.

Insufrible, y eso que me gustaba el pop inglés de los 80 de este estilo, todo lo que salía de NME y similares y luego me convertí en devoto del sonido Manchester, pero eso ha sido muy aburrido. 1 estrella.

The problem I have with Shoegaze is that when picks up in intensity and I think that the song is going to get better, it just winds up going nowhere. That’s the problem I have listening to this and it made me angry. All that potential build up with no release.

4/5. I have been of fan of Spiritualized so I kind of got the energy I was going to get from this album. A lot less song structure and more just repeated riffs and phrases. I am not usually a fan of shoegaze, but this hit the right balance for me. It felt "spacey" and yet like you are falling down to Earth, sometimes just grabbing onto the orbit and other times getting ready to hit the Earth. Like with other shoegaze, it does fall into the category of not being able to put this on anytime. It's not perfect but I do enjoy it. Best Song: Revolution, Honey, How Does It Feel?

Very long - but I'm ok with that for this effort. Rich guitar tone, drone like songs but it all worked.

I don't think I'm in the right state of mind to fully appreciate this one. Since my psychedelic drug days are behind me, I don't think I'll ever be in the right state of mind to fully appreciate this one.

Started off well but then got massively repetitive and boring Disappointing but not terrible 3 ⭐️

Sounds like the product of a psychological experiment exploring whether the developmentally disabled possess the ability to reproduce music. Conclusion: they do not.

It's alright, I'm not sorry that I listened to it. Kind of experimental in some ways. The song "Suicide" is understandably pretty brutal, I ended up skipping through it. It's thought provoking for sure, if you are down for some contemplation then this is probably a good album for you.

a little bit too meandering for my tastes

Thanks to 1001 albums list, I now know how much I hate this ambient shoegaze stuff.

Ugh, enough of that.

As a fan of some Spiritualized's albums it's interesting to hear what Jason Pierce was doing before. There are some similarities, and I appreciate the shifts between the louder tracks and more melodic/thoughtful tracks, but none really stand on their own for me. I could imagine this being a better live experience than an album.

Pretty good. Honestly, I listened to it on Friday - today's Monday - and I don't remember much about it.

Trash

The Good: We’ve been warned that we are playing with Fire… The Bad: That we still aren’t sure who the third spaceman is… The Ugly: That aliens still don’t know how to communicate with us as their grammar sucks; it is 3 Spacemen First song made me think “Shit”, second song made me listen a little more attentively, song 3 (see what I did there!!???!?!) made me think “Shit” again… There was a song that I actually liked, but by the time I was over 1 hour into this experiment of sound, I had totally forgotten about it. Is there a reason that I have to listen to a 2 hour album of noise? Is there something in the noise which will make me see the light? Is there something which Spacemen 3 want me to know except that I’ve lost time and a couple of hairs today? I am reaching 30% on this musical journey, and my patience is starting to wear thin, or my ears are starting to become too critical. Where I used to listen to music at least 4 hours a day, I am finding that this is now becoming limited to the album of the day, and then 1 album from my 5* list just to wash away the bad taste in my mouth. Here’s to my crossed fingers hopen for a stellar album today!

I tried. It all sounds the same. The droning was driving me around the bend. Can't do it.

Okay album, decent background without ever pulling my attention specifically 6/10

Cool album - it’s like the sonic equivalent of watching 2001 a space odyssey. Not for everyone, but interesting to hear how multiple genres can combine to create such a unique sound.

Kinda like the vibe, would need better lyrics for me to want to keep any songs

Far out stuff man

I wanted to like this, but the songs are too long and don't really go anywhere. Sonically interesting for about 1.5min before feeling like they need to hurry up and move on.

Another perfectly okay fades-into-the-background album.

The album wasn't bad, but most of the songs were slow and sleepy.

Just what I needed to hear to keep me grounded while my brother goes on having a manic bipolar episode. The early version of All of My Tears reminds me how much I love early Spiritualized. Going to see them play Pure Phase in full soon and can't wait for that bit. The centrepiece drone of Suicide is peerless, and Lord Can You Hear Me is beautiful. I love it. I do love Spiritualized more. A very high 4

Some drone stuff Quite nice landscapes, but very repetitive. Nothing that I can call a good song so far. I get why some people might find it nice to listen to, but I didn't find it yet for myself. I actually like the esthetics of track 6, but they don't seem to go anywhere. I read that it is known as a stoner band, so maybe I need some inforsment here. Track 7 pretty sweet though... The sound is growing on me. Some great guitar loops on 8. Actually wow. A much better end to the record. It sums it up into a good experience. Steel between 2 and 3

Sometimes too quiet, sometimes too loud

Kedelig psykrock, baggrundsmusikvibes

4- Stars (10/15)

When I was a teenager getting high for the first time, I'd record 20 minute jams on one chord, being amazed at how deep and psychedelic the sounds were. Then I'd cover up, listen back, and realise it was just repetitive drones that didn't go anywhere. That's what this sounds like. Mumbling lyrics ripped off of Dylan and Patti Smith over boring loopy patterns just bored me to tears. The version I listened to had a live recording of Suicide which gave me some idea that they might have been interesting as a live act, where sheer volume may play a part - but as an album, this sounds worse than some bands 4 track demos. Utter, utter trash. Not even irritating enough to be interesting.

Understated album with many interesting soundscapes. Definitely sounds like a follow up to the late Talk Talk albums and a precursor to the Post Rock boom in the 90s, both of which I adore. Huge, distorted guitars contrast the relaxed and hazy synths. Another surprising find. Best Tracks: - Suicide - Revolution Worst Tracks: - I Believe It Rating: 7/10

I don’t know what these guys are playing with, but it’s certainly not fire. I found this to be way too dull and actually dozed off listening to this. I’m sure it’s enhanced by drugs, but that stage of my life is behind me.

Two discs and 2 hours? How about no? Oh thank the heavens, the second disc is part of a reissue. I will not be listening to that. Also fuck shoegaze

I was not surprised to see Spacemen 3 listed among Panda Bear's influences because I can hear a lot of Animal Collective in their music. Regardless, I don't think I was in the right head space to fully enjoy this album (i.e. on drugs) as much as I could have.

cool space stuff

Enjoyed it but can’t see myself reaching for it

This was so boring. I guess it has its place, though, so I'm not going to give it a "1". Like, say, you're spending the day in an opium den, and want something to listen to.

That was a slog. Finally ended.

Alright 3.8

I already know this a bit - back in the early 2010s when I was a teenager waiting for the day I'd meet a hot skinny indie boy like Ben Goldwasser from MGMT, and thought I'd better check out some tunes so I know what I'm talking about when we're listening to druggie music, smoking weed in our skinny jeans and tumblr cardigans. That didn't happen for me but on listening back I kinda still like this, although it loses its way a little in the middle for me. Would listen again.

This album feels very much like a Jekyll and Hyde experience. Some of the songs are musically captivating, featuring rhythmic, synth-driven elements, where the occasional vocals blend seamlessly with the overall instrumentation. There is a soothing quality to these tracks that allows you to immerse yourself in the experience. However, there are songs like "Revolution" and "Suicide" that are startlingly loud in contrast, with reverberating guitars that suddenly pull you out of that trance. I assume this was done on purpose, but I found the shift too sudden to help me reconnect with the music. In general, this is a decent album, though I wish the arrangement of the tracks had better connected the calmer rhythmic pieces with the more intense, louder ones to create smoother transitions. Additionally, there are 2 live tracks that serve more as a distraction than anything else. I am not sure I could listen to this album as a whole, again. However, broken down into parts, this can be an enjoyable experience.

they walked so shoegaze could run/gaze at her shoes.

..

Trance- und Space Rock Album mit experimentellen Klangerlebnissen aber ohne Ear-Catcher. Um in tiefere Sphären des Alls einzutauchen fehlt es am roten Faden.

Absolutely not, brother. Are these songs? Or, like, LaCroix water-style impressions of songs?

I really enjoy the subtlety of the vocals against the music - very mid-career Brian Eno-esque. Other than that though the songs were generally pretty though forgettable. More good than bad for sure. 3/5

A bit too light and fluffy for me, maybe I need to be in the right mood

Very close to a one star

This one surprised me. Initially I didn't think much of it, but the more I listened it drew me in. Going with a four but I may have to move it higher after further listening.

Amazing album and the long instrumentals were awesome mde me feel like I was actually floating in space

Les premières minutes avec “Honey” donnent tout de suite envie d’aimer ce groupe, ce son. Mais très vite ça devient trop perché, genre dès “How does it feel”, 7’58 hyper répétitives, j’imagine trippante mais là j’ai pas les bonne drogues. Sympa en fond, pas grand chose que j’écouterai volontairement. Surtout “Suicide” qui fait 11 minutes, qui est hyper répétitive, et qui est présent en trois versions toutes identiques.

I had not listened to this album in a while. About as easy a 5 star album as it gets.

I don't know man. This album's not my thing. Did I have to listen to this? I don't think so. Admittedly, this album isn't garbage. Playing With Fire by Spacemen 3 (dumb band name btw) isn't completely irredeemable. The song "Suicide" is though. 11 minutes of the same droning sound with slight variances over time? No thank you. The other 8 songs on this album range from pretty forgettable to actually somewhat decent, with the clear highlight being the closer, "Lord Can You Hear Me." I have nothing interesting to say about the singing. The writing is kind of repetitive. The style isn't my thing. I don't really vibe with this album. Maybe I'll vibe with Jason Pierce's other project Spiritualized. We'll see when I get there. This album's a high 2/5.

Het bestaat

3 out of 5. The sludgy psychedelia is sometimes cool, sometimes misses.

After two consecutive hip-hop records, it is worth noting sample fatigue: it is not just that you are hearing the same music looped, but the same recording. The exact repetition is exhausting on the ear. So, while Spacemen 3 may hang on a single note for minutes on end, there is the change in timbre and attack and phase, the human differences that mutate each bar. That only takes you so far and, for much of Playing with Fire, it is the moments rather than expanses that pay off. Not any specific moments. But, every once and a while, you tune into and think "That's pretty nice." I think the Pierce songs are probably a bit better, which explains why Spiritualised do the same thing, but probably a bit better. 2 Most people who have ever found themselves listening to a Spacemen 3 album arrived (as did I) as Spiritualized fans. So it is difficult to hear Spacemen 3 on their own terms. Sonic Boom’s compositions dominate here and Revolution was the single and is the centre-piece of the album. But I still can’t escape the temptation to hear it all as proto-Spiritualized. This is fatal not just to my ability to sympathise with Sonic Boom’s less naive, less earnest delivery but also to my ability to hear the two jewels of the album - Jason’s ‘So Hot (Wash Away All of my Tears)’ and ‘Lord Can You Hear Me?’ as anything but mere demos for the later, much grander Spiritualized recordings of those songs that I love. So it’s an album I find easy to listen to with affection, but difficult to get a sense of as a work of art. If any kind of sober judgement were possible - I’d bet that it’s probably a bit of a mess. And the artwork is certainly poop. 2.5/5

Ingen noter, ingen hukommelse. Sikkert kedelig, helt sikkert ligegyldig.

Jeg var ikke klar over at man kunne lave eksperimental musik som var så fantasiløst og kedeligt

Favorite tracks: Suicide Kinda cool, mostly meh

Some cool musical ideas that aren't as well fleshed out as they could be.

Bunch of strange noises. Some were good though. Listenined to half because it’s like 2 hours long

They sound like talented musicians... it's a shame they are wasting those talents on producing whatever this is. This album does not warrant 2 Discs spanning almost 2 hours, that's for sure.

SPACEMEN 3 are more than the band that J SPACEMAN was in before he started Spiritualized and yet for many listeners hearing this record is hearing backwards in time from Spiritualized to this. Maybe at this point in history that's the majority of listeners. There are a few fellow travelers left who heard Spacemen 3 back in the day when this coolly aloof, psychedelic-tinged blues drift would build waveform upon waveform into a delayed crescendo that would wash over an already blown mind. Being stateside I wasn't one of them, I had a friend who dug this music with a passion so I caught what bit of the lightning the tape machine could capture. But even me being SPACEMEN 3 adjacent can't come back to this record and not feel an overwhelming echo of the future slap back upon this listening experience like so much spring reverb. None of this is a complaint. It's not a bad thing. It's the way that it is whenever there's a strong sonic imprint and the two experiences are drawn together in overlap. In both bands, it's not the chords or tempos chosen but the way they are shaped and expressed that has a certain SPACEMAN signature that's inescapable. It's repetition and difference / difference and repetition. Playing with Fire is just a hallucinatory reminder of a phenomenon in a way that only time and experience can provide. If we could truly travel back in history and steal it from the gods to give it to man again for the first time. Only then. Only then. For now, we just have slabs of wax melted into an array, digitized for the stream in a way that collapses our listening into the black hole of the self.

Blind album and artist. Noise shoegaze? Idk but this was not for me at many parts. Put me to sleep, but not repulsive.

Can't decide if I like this or it's a load of drone-y bollocks. Probably both.

Listened Before? N Booooooooring. Didn't like this one at all. They tried to put me to sleep with slow dragging music and 12 minute songs. This album is what I imagine a heroin high sounds like. Added to Library? N Songs added to playlist: So Hot

Had never heard of this group before but I can see the threads of this album to the current indie lo fi scene. Definitely grew on me.

Not extremely high on how psychedelic this one is. Really enjoyed just one track being revolution. I want to give it an 2 but even with that song I’ve got to stay 1. Otherwise droned on. Surprised this came out in 89. I did NOT listen to the whole album as an fyi for my rating.

if this inspired Godspeed! then I will acknowledge it's contribution. But listening to this out of context, it has moments of intrigue tempered by moments of blandness. 3.5 rounded to a 3

I really liked this. The combination of minimalist synth and bluesier stuff was a lot of fun. And it feels different that pretty much anything I've heard. Kraftwerk+Arcade Fire or something? Anyway, I doubt this is everyone's cup of tea, but this was great for me. I've never heard of this band and their significance is completely lost on me, but I'm glad to have been introduced.

This is a solid album to have on in the background as ambient music, but is not one you can do a deep listen to without being driven out of your mind by its repetition.

This was a very weird and experimental record. Some days I’d probably argue this is too obscure for me but it must have arrived on a good day. I definitely appreciate the psychedelic & futuristic feel of some of these tracks. Others were just bad/noisy. “Revolution” really caught me off guard with its garage rock style, followed by the very mellow “So Hot” and “Lord Can You Hear Me” it almost seems like multiple bands are on here.

I'm of two minds about this album. On one hand, this is an album that is reminiscent of something I've listened to as recently as 2022, and I think that there's something inherently fresh about it. On the other hand, it feels slow a lot--definitely a lot of skips, if I'd let myself do that--but that is in competition with the fact that I know if I'd seen this live, I would have absolutely loved it. It's giving lots of difficulty trying to figure out what the point of an album is. There are some really great songs on here, though. This whole ordeal has really confused my Spotify algorithm.

Some really interesting songs here, but the album is just so dang slow overall. Repetitive, methodical. In a word, mostly boring.

Not a fan.

This was ok. I read the overview of the album and I think I wanted a bit more out of it.

Skills

This was fine, but nothing really special. Probably great if you were on heroin or something. But it’s not necessary and totally skippable.

Wasnt bad, but it was going nowhere a little bit. I don't think it's a 2 star album though, so low 3

really how did this make it in the list

There’s something I fond very irritating about this music. I like a lot of the Kraut rock some people are comparing it too. But this doesn’t have nearly as much character.

I've never heard of Spacemen 3 or this album before, but if this album is anything like some of the other things coming out of England at this time (My Bloody Valentine, Ride, Stone Roses), I think I'll enjoy it. This is certainly an interesting album cover though. Let's see if the music is as interesting as that cover! Side note: this album came out on my fourth birthday. That's kind of cool I guess. I wasn't really impressed by Playing With Fire. This album wasn't bad to listen to, but it really didn't bring anything unique or interesting to the table. The overall sound was fine, but it felt like Spacemen 3 weren't really committed to owning their sound. The bands that I mentioned in my introductory paragraph do an excellent job of really living in the unique sound that they created, but it felt like Spacemen 3 were just kind of drifting through various influences. I guess if I had to summarize what I don't like about the overall sound of this album, I'd say Spacemen 3 really doesn't have a unique way of blending their guitars with the electronic elements that they're using. I expected something that played with the layering of the sound to create more of an atmosphere, but that just wasn't present here. As a result, I just kind of drifted through these songs, and most of them dragged on. However, there were a couple of bright spots on this album. "Revolution" really grabbed my attention. I loved the heavy guitar tone, and the distortion sounded great with the heavier use of percussion. "Suicide" was really good too. It was really the only song that I felt took me on a journey as I listened to it. In contrast with a lot of the other stuff on this album, it really flew by as I listened to it, and I couldn't believe it was over 11 minutes long when it wrapped up. Other than those two songs though, I wasn't that impressed by this album. When it comes to the late eighties and early nineties, I think I'll stick to my shoegaze and shy away from Spacemen 3.

it was long but not bad

Not as bad as I thought it would be. Was expecting something unlistenable. 2.5 stars rounding up.

Un álbum aburrido, inconsistente, inerte, y con temas que son solo una introducción larga. Primer calificación de 1 estrella que doy. Nota: 1.4

oooOOOooooOoooOOOOOooooOOOooOOOOooo

One note per song. Not chord, one NOTE.

Chill

Shitty psychadelic shoegaze from some obsolete British band. There is a song called Suicide on this album that is literally 11 minutes of the same two notes being played over and over ffs..... Nothing happened..... In 11 MINUTES!?! And how dare these absolute pylons ruin a classic song like May the Circle Be Unbroken. Fuck these idiots. And fuck whoever thought this was necessary listening. Garbage. Favourite songs: Revolution, Honey Least favourite songs: How Does It Feel, Let Me Down Gently... And the rest of this album... 2/5

I have a hard time saying what this sounded like to me, but it had some good moments. 3.5

I kind of liked some of these songs. They were ones I have heard at church. Very soothing

Wasn't high enough to appreciate this I think

It drones on too much for my liking.

2.3 - I just felt like this really lacked any substance to it. Some parts were nice, but it really felt like a nothing album to me

Didn't really do anything for me. I'm very up for this sort of droney representation, but frankly I just found this boring. 2/5

Есть ощущение, что в силу неожиданных причин вообще вся музыка воспринимается мной лучше, чем есть на самом деле, но это было атмосферно и в целом в моем духе (как будут розовые очки, но на уши?) Лучшая песня - Revolution.

Very droney and spacey, I’ve never heard this before. Love it.

Bland

Absolutely not.

I wanted to like this after reading the wiki article, but just didn’t do it for me.

It's okay

Another one of those ones where I wish someone would tell the dude who made this list that every obscure, weirdo British rock band he liked when he was 14 isn’t worthy of sharing with the world.

There's a few songs I like from Spacemen 3, but none of them are in this album. I also have no interest whatsoever in listening to this in full.

ACCURACY REVOLUTION PURITY LOVE ... SUICIDE??! sounds like a space cult and it somehow slaps hard

Amazing album.

This might have been better if they had added a fourth spaceman. As it was, there is nothing to recommend here unless you need an 11 minute track titled Suicide.

some cool stuff and some not cool stuff. i liked it most when it was the almost ambient synth songs and liked it least when it was the harsh guitar songs. but the juxtaposition worked well and i think there was a good amount of both

This album is just so eh. Fantastic guitar work but that's it. I didn't care for anything else on the album

Three songs in currently and boring is the first word coming to mind. Where is the music? Eight tracks in and I've forgotten at times music is even playing. Eleven tracks in and I really do not at all understand why this is on the list. Nothing stand out here. I like other examples of psychedelic, other examples of shoegaze, but this just doesn't meet the mark.

Pretty droning. Not really sure what I'm meant to find in here. The whole album feels pointless and easy to ignore. I have no idea why this made the list.

This is kind of nothing. Most people given a simple looping software, could re create a close approximation of this. Reminds me of The Doors, it could trick you into thinking there is sustenance when it's empty. It did help me zone out during an unpleasant drive.

2 disks of droning, soporific, occasionally annoying muzak. This never really rises above terrible. Hard to understand someone recorded this and then chose to release it. And so much of it, too.

Spacey, jam, dynamic

Interesting listen.

Repetitive dreck.

Couldn’t even make it through Disc 1

That was hard work to listen to. I just kept waiting for the album to end. For a couple of songs, it was okay, but then it just burrowed into your brain and likely drive someone to insanity if they listened too much to this. I’ve decided that I’m not ready to commit. So this only gets a 2.

There are times I don’t mind music being repetitive. It’s just that whatever’s being repeated should be interesting in the first place.

Cocteau Twins but worse Psychedelic guitar slop Best track is So Hot Lord Can You Hear Me Is pretty good as well Artistry has props for this one, I write 2 haiku's bc it's a 2

Not great

Interesting, but quite a lot of 'noise'.

Listened to this while playing Anachrony...still going, so not sure if I'll win or lose...but I'll probably lose. There were aspects of this album I enjoyed, but not enough to consider this essential listening. I had not realized the band had been around for so long. Good on them.

I don’t need this, nor do I want it.

Boring, I fail to see why this was included in a list of 1001 albums to listen to

Fav: Revolution Least Fav: How Does It Feel Right now I’m feeling a Spacemen 3/5, could change later…

Ooft. Another record spoiled by streaming services putting up a confusing 2-hour, extended edition that makes everything worse than the artists intended 😬 I love a bit of spiritualised but not that familiar with their predecessor, the spaceman 3. To be frank, I couldn't be bothered with this much stoned-sounding introspection today.

01) Honey - 7,0 02) Come Down Softly to My Soul - 7,0 03) How Does It Feel? - 6,0 04) I Believe It - 5,5 05) Revolution - 7,0 06) Let Me Down Gently - 6,0 07) So Hot (Wash Away All of My Tears) - 6,5 08) Suicide - 5,0 09) Lord Can You Hear Me? - 7,0 TOTAL: 6,33 (63/100)

Negative

The fire was like that roaring blaze you watch on Netflix when it's cold outside

Awful

This album had it's moments, as long as you don't set your expectations too high. Spacey and ambient at times, it does offer a variety of styles, some psychedelic nods to early Pink Floyd and more sonic influences of MC5 or the Stooges. My first thought was a "poor-man's" Velvet Underground, but even that doesn't fully describe what I'm hearing. Not something I have to hear again and not essential to my ears.

It took 2 people to make this? It sounds like an album of the weird interlude songs on an album. I did not like this

Can you imagine just writing the beginnings of songs and never finishing them

A pretty good album, I liked Come Down Softly To My Soul, Suicide, Lord Can You Here Me and Any Way That You Want Me the most.

Wank.

Super soothing and relaxing instrumentals. Easy to work/think to, even sleep to. Calming for me.

This was interesting, in a way. I can't help feeling that I should like this more, all the elements are there. It just didn't connect with me. I kept finding myself getting bored and my mind wandering while trying to listen to this album.

2.5/10

Another album that is more interesting to talk about than to listen to. I kept waiting for a payoff with each of these tracks, but was left with aural blue balls. This isn't bad music by any means, but this soft, intentional, gentle droning is just not something I'm into. If I'm going to listen to droning, I'm going to listen to some ambient electronic or funeral doom metal or something. This Lou Reed leftover just didn't do it for me.

listened to again it's got some interesting content but feels REALLY long, this could have been reduced to a 40 min album

Eh. Wasn’t high enough to enjoy. Just made me rage.

This is a really good album with a variety f moods and dynamic swings. I think I still prefer Recurring but no slouch here. Honey, I Believe It, Revolution and So Hot are stellar and it ends on a beautiful quiet spiritual note with Lord Can You Hear Me. 4 stars

Interesting. Some caught my mind, but most did not. A lot of the tracks sounded the same...

I'm not listening to the demo CD. By the third track, I'm just UGHHHH with this drivel. Shit is endless. I skipped all the different versions of Suicide. I always try to listen to the album end to end, but 3 versions of the same shitty loopy song is just too much for my brain, which is wild because a lot of reviewers liked that song the most. 2*

Mmmh okayish

Really? Must I listen to this? It's sort of OK until the spoken (bad) lyrics start. After that it's just silly. Music vedfs from Enoesque soundscapes through a sort of slowed down War on Drugs, to full-on Black Sabbath fuzz riffs - but all with ridiculous spoken lyrics over the top. Hopeless.

Formles and meandering but not in the way hood ambient music does it

Some good tracks on here, but feels very earl noise/ shoegaze and wasn't for me which is suprising. Standouts: Revolution, Lord Can You Hear Me, Come Down Softly To My Soul.

If you like it, good for you. I don't! It shouldn't be on this list.

Just because you learnt guitar when you were 10 and you're mate has a Casio keyboard in the cupboard, doesn't mean you should record an album.

Not my style

Did not like this at all. Boring songs, can barely hear lyrics, just random feedback on the guitar. Just crap. 1/5

Pretty spaced out, good for sleeping 3

Vibey and droney and easy to get lost in! I enjoy the vocals too, the last song is a very nice closer

I've never listened to Spacemen 3 but I've always enjoyed Spiritualized. This felt more ambient and drone-y which I loved!

Always liked Spacemen 3 more than Spiritualized (their joydivision/neworder esque sequel band) and I had never heard this album but really enjoyed it - i think the psychedelic and post rock influences work really well with the drone-y and dream pop vibes on this record .. anyways i really liked it!

Too much psychedelic for me. I spent the whole day finishing the listening session because it was necessary to stop from time to time to take some air.

Drugs are needed for this album

## In-Depth Review of *Playing With Fire* by Spacemen 3 *Playing With Fire*, released in 1989, marks a significant evolution in the sound and thematic exploration of Spacemen 3, a band known for its unique blend of psychedelia and alternative rock. This review delves into the album's lyrics, music, production, themes, and influence while also addressing its pros and cons. ### ****Lyrics The lyrics of *Playing With Fire* reflect a deep introspection and an exploration of existential themes, often intertwined with drug references and emotional vulnerability. - **Existential Themes**: Songs like “Lord Can You Hear Me?” grapple with questions of faith and personal despair. The repeated plea for divine presence resonates with listeners seeking solace in their struggles. - **Emotional Vulnerability**: Tracks such as “So Hot (Wash Away All Of My Tears)” reveal a yearning for redemption and inner peace, showcasing the band's ability to convey profound emotions through simple yet poignant lyrics. - **Minimalism**: The lyrical content is often minimalistic, mirroring the musical style. This approach allows the listener to focus on the emotional weight of each line rather than getting lost in complex narratives. Overall, the lyrics serve as a vehicle for exploring themes of love, loss, and transcendence, creating a deeply immersive experience. ### ****Music Musically, *Playing With Fire* is characterized by its minimalist approach and rich textures that create an expansive soundscape. - **Drones and Repetition**: The album features extensive use of drones and repetitive structures, particularly evident in tracks like “Suicide,” which employs an 11-minute two-chord drone that captivates listeners through its hypnotic qualities. - **Guitar Effects**: The guitar work is notable for its innovative use of effects. In “Honey,” guitars are processed to mimic synthesizers, showcasing the band's experimental spirit. This technique creates a lush auditory experience that complements the lyrical themes. - **Diverse Influences**: Drawing from a wide range of influences—from John Cage to Kraftwerk—the band successfully merges various genres, resulting in a sound that feels both contemporary and timeless. The incorporation of elements from ambient music enhances the album's ethereal quality. ### ****Production The production of *Playing With Fire* plays a crucial role in shaping its overall sound. - **Minimalist Production**: The album's production is intentionally sparse, allowing each instrument to breathe. This minimalism enhances the emotional impact of the music while creating an immersive listening experience. - **Layering Techniques**: Producer Sonic Boom (Pete Kember) employs layering techniques that add depth without overwhelming the listener. The careful balance between clarity and density allows for a rich sound that invites repeated listens. - **Atmospheric Quality**: The production captures an atmospheric quality that aligns perfectly with the lyrical content. Tracks like “How Do You Feel?” exemplify this with their haunting melodies and spacious arrangements. ### ****Themes The thematic core of *Playing With Fire* revolves around introspection, existentialism, and the search for meaning amidst chaos. - **Psychedelic Exploration**: The album embodies a psychedelic journey that encourages listeners to explore their inner landscapes. The combination of drug references and spiritual inquiries creates a complex narrative about escapism and enlightenment. - **Urban Alienation**: Reflecting the band's experiences in Thatcher-era Britain, themes of urban alienation permeate the album. This context adds a layer of social commentary to the personal struggles depicted in the lyrics. - **Duality of Experience**: The juxtaposition between beauty and despair is prevalent throughout the album. Songs oscillate between moments of serene beauty and haunting melancholy, mirroring the complexities of human emotion. ### ****Influence *Playing With Fire* has left an indelible mark on both contemporary music and the broader psychedelic genre. - **Legacy in Psychedelia**: The album is often cited as a pivotal moment in modern psychedelia, influencing bands such as Spiritualized (founded by Jason Pierce) and other alternative rock acts that followed. - **Cult Following**: Over time, *Playing With Fire* has garnered a cult following, celebrated for its innovative sound and profound lyrical content. Its impact can be seen in various genres that embrace minimalism and experimental approaches to songwriting. - **Continued Relevance**: The themes explored in *Playing With Fire* remain relevant today, resonating with new generations who grapple with similar existential questions and emotional struggles. ### ****Pros and Cons #### Pros - **Innovative Sound**: The blend of minimalist structures with rich textures creates a unique auditory experience that stands out in the alternative rock landscape. - **Emotional Depth**: The introspective lyrics coupled with haunting melodies provide listeners with a profound emotional connection to the music. - **Cohesive Themes**: The thematic unity throughout the album enhances its overall impact, making it a compelling listen from start to finish. #### Cons - **Repetitive Nature**: Some listeners may find the repetitive structures overly simplistic or monotonous, potentially detracting from their enjoyment. - **Accessibility Issues**: The minimalist approach may not appeal to all audiences; those accustomed to more conventional song structures might struggle to engage fully with the material. - **Fragmented Collaboration**: Given the tensions within the band during its creation, some may perceive inconsistencies in collaboration affecting certain tracks' cohesiveness. ### Conclusion In summary, *Playing With Fire* by Spacemen 3 represents a high point in the band's career, showcasing their ability to fuse innovative musical techniques with profound lyrical exploration. Its legacy continues to influence contemporary music while inviting listeners into an introspective journey marked by beauty and despair. Despite some potential drawbacks related to its repetitive nature and accessibility issues, its strengths far outweigh these concerns, solidifying its status as a seminal work in modern psychedelia.

My rating will likely increase to 4 stars over time, but currently I'm not quite sure how I feel about it. This was my introduction into Spacemen 3 and their music. I don't know if this album is a typical sound and style for them but most of the songs are far too drawn out with not much actually happening on them. On the tracks that do have a typical song structure, the instrumentation and music itself sound great. The fuzzy, distorted guitar work and prominent riffs create the sort of sound that is right up my alley.

I could see how this would be influential, but on the whole this is a long, boring album where not much happens. Kinda disappointing considering I’ve really been into this sort of thing in the past.

Dames en heren, ik zweef door de ruimte met dit album. Dit is er een waar je stiekem op hoopt dat die ertussen staat, maar het niet durft te dromen. En toch! Ze kunnen misschien toch wel wat goed doen… ik heb na corona Spiritualized in de Paradiso gezien, en als je deze muziek ziet zitten is het een absolute aanrader. Jason is de grootste antiperformer, hij zit op een stoeltje met een zonnebril op, maar zet toch een show neer… betoverend. Groot fan!

dra åt skogen

хрень

Atmospheric cool electronica. Great listen. Nothing world shattering, but funn.

There's a song on this album about unaliving yourself. You'll feel like it when you get there. Didn't make it to disc 2 of "extras" because who needs more of this dross.

This happens to be in my musical wheelhouse, but I suspect there won't be too many fans.

I used to like instrumental music, even more so electronic one. But somehow I cannot connect to this record.

This sucks.

This is my type of music. Droney shoegazy spacey atmosphere. I get why some people wouldn’t like it but I love this shit

Welcome to space church Get lost in the droning stars And worship vastness

I thought I might really enjoy this album. But I definitely did not. Way too repetitive.

🤡🗑️🍑🚽🚮

Mostly cheeks 1.5

1.5 Bad Bad Not Good. Although Revolution was a good tune

Really fascinating piece of proto-Spiritualized work! I think the influence of Suicide and the Velvet Underground come across a lot more clearly on this - and it's much more psychedelic than the music that comes after it. But I enjoyed a lot - it's soothing and hectic in equal measure. Best Track: Lord Can You Hear Me Worst Track: How Does It Feel

Best Song: Revolution Worst Song: Let me down gently

Seems like it would be more my taste, but this one fell a bit flat. 2/5

I liked this better than Spiritialized on first listen. It is kind of like grungy meditation music or music for angry yoga. It’s very droney which is where the sleepy time comes from for me. It’s not bad I’m just not real sure what would compel Me to play this

shoegaze，有点梦核的感觉

This shouldn't be on this list. We are talking about 1001 albums to hear before you die, not.. 1001 albums to put on in the background and forget about. It's fine

Wibble. Manages to be both simultaneously enjoyable and completely unremarkable. According to Wiki : "They gained a reputation as a 'drug band' due to the members' drug-taking habits and Kember's candid interviews and outspoken opinions on recreational drug use" which explains A LOT of what is going on here.

Every song on this album was at least a minute too long. If you are going to make a long song, there has to be some progression throughout; it can't just be the same thing over and over ("i.e. "How Does It Feel"). I wanted songs like "Revolution" to GO somewhere, and it just... didn't. The second song reminded me a lot of Peter Gabriel's "Wallflower," actually. Maybe it's just how the opening piano sounded, I don't know. But then again, looking at Wikipedia, the band was WAY too on drugs to think about editing. NEXT.

Didn't mind it. A little self-indulgent with some of the long songs and guitar experimentation, but that's what you get with shoegaze. Honey was a decent opener, Revolution was an edgier sounding track, and Suicide had some cool parts even if it was 11 minutes long.

Suicide was 10+ minutes of f'ing aural torture. The only reason this album doesn't get a 1 based on that track alone was because I liked the vibe of the other songs (particularly Come Down Softly to My Soul and Let Me Down Gently), even if each song was basically one riff repeated over and over. Next.

I love me some bullshit random noise, but that didn't save the album from being super mid.

I love spiritualised so this was an interesting listen Too wiggy to really want to listen to it much again but not without its psychedelic charms

I was surprised. After the rather below-average reviews, I was expecting the worst. But I quite liked the album. There are a lot of repetitions in the pieces. But that fits perfectly with a minimalist soundscape. And I find something like that very appealing. Peter Glass and Klaus Schulze's spherical sounds are also part of my repertoire. And the album fits in well with that. I will certainly listen to it again. 4/5

At the end of the 1980's, a lot of the acts now celebrated as cornerstones of 90's neo-psychedelia were just beginning to bubble up to the surface. Established acts like My Bloody Valentine and Primal Scream were working hard on juggernauts like "Loveless" and "Screamadelica", the Flaming Lips were about to sign with Warner Bros Records, Mercury Rev had only just formed, and Shaun Ryder was probably off his tits, floating belly-up somewhere in Manchester's canals. In amongst the lot of them was Spacemen 3, releasing their third record just a couple of years before disbanding. Its members would become more notable for other ventures: Jason Pierce went on to front Spiritualized, and Pete Kember became Sonic Boom: producer for MGMT, Panda Bear, Beach House and more. I've had mixed feelings on the Spiritualized albums that have shown up on this list, but overall I think they are very good at capturing a singular mood. That mood emerges here in Spaceman 3's work, but just not quite fully formed. It's clear they're working to the same influences Pierce has had for his whole career (Velvet Underground, Stooges and Suicide, going by his Wikipedia page). But unfortunately, there's very little of interest across "Playing with Fire". While I enjoyed some tracks ("Honey" is fine as an intro, while "I Believe It" and "Lord Can You Hear Me" are tantamount to blissed-out gospel, with organ, tambourine and holy arpeggiated guitars) even they feel like there's something missing. Other songs like "Let Me Down Gently", "So Hot (Wash Away All of My Tears)" or "How Does It Feel" come across like drafts, demos, rough sketches waiting to be filled in with more colour and detail. In particular, "How Does It Feel" is a sheer buzz-kill as the third track, with a cringe-inducing spoken word over bare-bones instrumental, slowly building to… absolutely nothing. When fifth track "Revolution" comes squalling in with its overdriven guitars and its scornful Iggy Pop-style vocals, it's less like a welcome shot-in-the-arm and more like an out-of-place, demented diversion. "Suicide" is very similar, though does at least lay the best claim of any of these songs to being worthy of 70's space rock (think Hawkwind, Neu, Kraftwerk). As much as I respect a lot of the work these spacemen went on to make, and this album does have its moments, "Playing with Fire" mostly sounds like three blokes messing around in a rehearsal room trying to emulate the sweet sweet sounds of their own acid trips. A disappointing listen.

Didn’t enjoy

This album was a lot like traveling through space: sparkly, lots of emptiness, and ultimately quite boring.

Didn't care much for this one. Too sleepy shoegaze for me. 2.49/5

This is actually quite lovely, might inspect further. C+

I spent most of this listen waiting for them to get the fuck on with it.... They never did.

I guess if you have to fill the plate with a 1001 albums there are going to be many that leave listeners scratching their heads asking “why did I have to listen to this one?”

Meh

Pretty cool ambient sounds. A lot of drone rocking. Great album.

-well it’s… sort of interesting, sort of not? Some of the songs just felt like King Crimson lite. It did have some really cool instrumental parts sprinkled in which I enjoyed -I was listening to Animal Collective all day when I heard this and the first song did kinda remind me of them! as a side note -Favorites are Let Me Down Gently, So Hot, and Lord Can You Hear Me

It's not an easy-listen album. At first it seems like a set of good ideas lazily wasted, but little by little, as the songs progress, the sound takes you on a really cool journey. The big problem is that at some points it is very tiring, which cancels out any kind of replay factor that the album may have. I'll leave 3 stars!

An interesting album for it's time. Certainly pushed the boundaries of music in the 80's, presenting work that's driven yet ambient. Peaceful yet powerful. A prelude to many other great artists to come

This juice wasn’t worth the squeeze

Playing With Fire has a lot of dimensions to it. A bit of Velvet Underground, a bit of new wave, a bit of noise, all with well crafted distortion. For a distortion based album, this is minimal and patient. I found it interesting and relaxing. I do love long distorted guitar.

Kinda boring

I did not finish the album. I listened to all of the songs from Disk 1 but did not listen to anything from Disk 2. Disk 2 was all demos and alternate takes. I liked the song Suicide, but not enough to hear it three times. That’s the issue with the album; it feels bloated. I liked some songs, but the album is not one I’d like to finish or return to in its entirety. Standouts: Come Down Softly To My Soul, So Hot (Wash Away All My Tears), and Lord Can You Hear Me.

A couple of good tracks can't save this whole thing.

Runs the gamut of Distorted, contemplative, Spacey, meditative, hypnotic, psychedelic and fuzzed the fuck out, often at the same time. 3.5/5

That's the funny thing about music. I listened to this band about 8 years ago and thought it was just ok. Listening with today's ears and frame of mind, this is pretty fantastic stuff. Playing guitar through fuzz, delay and reverb pedals to get this shoegazey sound is loads of fun. I've listened through 3 times, now I'm on to their album prior to this one. Really dig the early Pink Floyd influence.

I would call this interminably dull, but mercifully it does actually have an ending.

Never heard of this artist or band. Curious to listen. Interesting. Slow but so far not for me.

This lacks the surging drama of later Spacemen 3/Spiritualized work, but it's still unique and soulful. The soundtrack to your comedown breakdown.

Sounds like post rock but then also some vocals are included. Interesting mix

Playing With Shit

Almost unlistenable.