Reviews (page 4 of 8)
Well that was a slog
It's a bit too ambient and doesnt quite progress how contemporaries would go on to do. This seems like a stepping stone to radiohead that is now just outclassed.
This was a whole lot of boring soundscape that was maybe inventive at the time but has been done much better by countless others since. We've already had one Spiritualized album and this one is arguably worse. I can appreciate floaty, layered rock music, but it has to do something unique or eventually build to something like post-rock, but this really does neither. Maybe they were pioneers in the sense that nobody was making that kind of music in 1992 (which is not really true - electronic artists had been doing it for decades), but it hasn't aged well. I think the last quarter of the album had more to offer than the first 9 songs, which I couldn't tell you anything about despite just having listened to them in the last hour. The final four songs are a bit more upbeat and have more volume, if nothing else, than the rest. Angel Sigh might be the pick of all of them. I don't know, their other album wasn't good but at least it went somewhere. I say this as someone that enjoys ambient music, but this lies somewhere between pure ambient music and pop music without doing much of either properly. At least it's not offensively bad.
Inoffensive shoegaze, but that’s about it. I don’t feel like this album did anything that really stood out to me. It just kind of happened, and I moved on and I’ll probably never think about it again after today. 2.25 / 5
Pretty good chill/spacey tunes I’d never heard of
Really chill and enjoyable record. Nice, soothing sounds throughout at a moderate pace. Vocals are serene and pleasant all the while. I like this one.
Beautiful
This was a fun one!
What a great album. Hope there is more of this on the list.
Not bad as background music, seems like it'd be painful to listen to actively
cool
***An ok album, instrumental, easy listening
This was very noisy, but I don't mind that. I have heard a better Spiritualized album. Liked Songs Added: Shine A Light
This was a long one
Enjoyed this, very spacey
Space rock... I judged hard with just the first song of the album. I never heard of Space Rock before, so I didn't know what I was getting myself into. This is....well the first song was putting me to sleep, but then it just got weirdly atmospheric. Yeah, I don't think I can vibe with this...it's too....left field.
I know I heard about Spiritualized within the past year. Founded by former Spacemen 3 singer-songwriter Jason Pierce, they're considered one of the most well-known groups in the space rock scene. That said, their debut record here, Lazer Guided Melodies, leans more toward shoegaze and dream pop, as Pierce and company utilized minimalist compositions with layered instrumentation, hazy sonic textures, and some string and horn incorporation to make for a cinematic soundscape. There's a serene, dazed-out nature with this album, as the guitar strumming and Pierce's soft-spoken delivery are thoroughly drenched in reverb. It certainly made for a peaceful listen. Yet, the issue I'm finding with this record is that it was rather difficult to discern, let alone latch onto any specific hook or melody. Aside from some very obvious lyrical incorporation from a few classic rock songs on "Run" and a particular horn motif on "Shine a Light", tracks tended to go in one ear and out of the other for me. That's not to say it was a bad experience, but rather one that proved hard to remember, like waking up from a dream and scrambling to remember the details. I certainly didn't mind listening to Lazer Guided Melodies, but I feel like the best of what Spiritualized had to offer is yet to come.
Meeting me in a spacemen 3 / spiritualized phase, this fits right in.
Just kind of ambient music? I liked this more than the other Spiritualized album that I listened to from this list but it managed to evoke almost no feelings from me.
This album sold 10,000 copies in the United States in 3 years - that sort of put this into perspective. Wonder how many of the 10,000 people regretted buying this, I would have. Just there and not the interesting. I had to finally look up what the style was - space rock?!? - I think navel gazing crystal deveining would be better classification.
floaty psychedelics~~ Tracks to Track: Shine A Light
I liked this debut album fine from Spiritualized. I felt like most of the album was pretty ambient and monotonous which led me to be kind of bored while listening. Overall, I thought this album was fine but it didn’t keep my interest the entire time. I’m not sure if I would listen to this again but I could see why some people would like the ambient space rock vibes of this album.
This one is a whole mood. Fortunately I was lounging at I listened and it’s perfect for that. I’ll probably go back to it some time when I’m camping and just want to gaze up at the stars. It risks turning into background music because it’s the kind of music that soothes and lets your mind expand and wander. Good find.
Let's just say not my cup of tea
Repetitive. Atmospheric. Some flourish. Prefer other records of theirs.
very mellow and focused on atmosphere over song structures or progression. other than Shine A Light which has some lovely brass tones, not a particularly great example of this type of music. but it does sound like what i thought Pink Floyd sounded like when i was 8, so that has to count for something. 200 Bars bumps this up a star to a solid 3 deserves to be one of the 1001? i think the Spiritualized picks are pretty decent. though if this one was missing i don't think i would really notice or care
It’s fine for background noise, but as for active listening it’s a little boring. I’ll say 1.5 and round ip to 2 stars since it wasn’t actually annoying but there is nothing I’m going back to here.
Eh, it was fine, but I'll only remember the album name and not the music.
blah
Not bad at all for some super chill vibes music.
This was a really cool listen that at times presents some nice sounds and feels that help it rise above shoegaze. Almost as if the Stone Roses are meeting Galaxie 500 in a world of chill airiness that keeps things moving forward without ever becoming boring. Shave some of the length off, and it probably rates higher.
Wasn’t expecting a shoegaze cover (sorta) of They Call Me the Breeze. This is a vibey listen but this style always leaves me wanting more. If you were to put this on for people, they’d probably think you’re cool but then ask “what else ya got” after about three songs.
Thought this started as a chill listen. But by the time we got to Step Into the Breeze, I was kind of checked out. Next two songs didn’t help. So I kind of slogged through after that. 2.5
I prefer "Ladies and gentlemen we are floating in space" but this album is fine. A bit long for my taste but a chill listen that hits nicely if you're in the right mood. Good, not great. 2.75/5
Das Debüt von Jason Pierce und seiner Band klingt wie ein sorgfältig arrangiertes Mosaik aus psychedelischen Gitarrenflächen, sanften Bläsern und wiederkehrenden Gospel-Anklängen. Die Stücke sind zu längeren, farbkodierten Suites verbunden; das Ergebnis wirkt zurückhaltend ambitioniert — dichter Klangraum statt plakative Eingängigkeit. Mir fällt besonders die ruhige, fast meditative Geduld der Arrangements auf; die Platte braucht Zeit, bietet dann aber klare musikalische Charakterzüge. Aufnahmen / Studios: VHF Sound Centre (Rugby), Moles Studio (Bath), Far Heath Studio (Northamptonshire); gemischt u. a. in Gooseberry/Comforts Place und Mastering u. a. bei Abbey Road. Nationalität: Englisch. Einige bekannte bzw. prägende Stücke: „Shine A Light“, „Step Into The Breeze“, „Symphony Space“. Genre: Space Rock / Shoegaze / Neo-Psychedelia. Kurze abschließende Bewertung: Stimmiges, sorgfältiges Debüt; empfehlenswert für Hörer, die Atmosphäre über sofortigen Hook stellen.
Different. Not horrible
Atmospheric and sets a tone that’s not altogether unpleasant.
I never look for this type of music, but I cannot deny that I like its laid back sound and creative choices.
This is probably my favorite (?) shoegaze album I've yet to hear. Faint praise, but still. It's something. Two biggest complaints, though. 1. It makes me want to slip into a coma, which is rarely a feeling I'm interested in pursuing. 2. There's several songs where it seems like it's building up to something else, more dynamic. And then, suddenly, it doesn't.
Needs a relisten with quality headphones. Fav tracks: Run, Shine a Light. Saved a song: N RYM: N
Such a vibe. Need to listen to this 20 more times.
Sounded like a less-engaging BJM or early Dandy Warhols to me?
Of all the overrated 90s British bands that Dimery likes for some reason, this one is the most overrated
This just wasn't very interesting to me.
The whole album feels like a slow buildup to a climax that never hit.
One song was enough & I didn’t even dislike this. Every song had the same exact progression. I could have listened to just Angel Sigh & got the whole thing
Guide a laser into my eardrums
Confusing, bouncy, and I probably wouldn't have this on my rotation. It is reminiscent of the airiness of road trips, and the dreaded turning point where you are as far from home as you'll be, and you are only at that point returning.
I like stuff like this but wasn't so blown away I thought it was really valid for the list.
Day 11: Best tracks: 5/10.
Meh. Nothing wrong with it, but it’s just instruments and vibes, nothing remarkable
Opening three-track run is INSANE
I love this album so much, hypnotic and dreamy.
Much better than the Spacemen 3 album on the list, but probably still not something I'm crazy about. I like my dream pop/shoegaze to be more structured whereas this album is a lot more spacey and ambient. Still, really good album. Kinda sounds like if The Beatles were a shoegaze band. Angel Sigh is the standout for me on this one.
Kind of spacey and simplistic, but not in a way that tickles my brain. It's okay.
No había escuchado sobre este álbum o grupo, lo cual no me sorprende porque no considero que sea una obra remarcable. Con excepción de algunos momentos en los cuales conecté con la cualidad psicodélica del álbum, es un disco poco memorable. Me gustaron los sonidos y las texturas creadas, pero no decide si ser del todo una música "ambient" o un álbum indie pretencioso. No creo que sea un mal álbum, pero me deja indiferente y con poco para comentar.
A bit boring for my tastes, other people may vibe to it
n curti, muito paradao
Actually pretty good
Vähän tyhjäksi jäävää taiderockia.
I think with an album like this, the environment in which you listen to it is really important. For me, im not sure it got the focus and attention it needed to properly shine. I did enjoy the floaty ambience and I found it an enjoyable listen but I wasn't blown away. No one favourite track. 7/10
i think my dad has stockholm syndromed me into liking this
Eh. I was really hoping this would have been better
Lush sounds but lacks variety
Alright background music
Warm ethirical
Mellow gold
Felt like I was being edged the whole time. There were some two-star moments, some four-star moments....but mostly bang average 3-star moments.
This music is tailor made for an emotional montage in a movie. Doesn't even seem like it's for listening. Enjoyed their sound on a couple tracks, but it really is like ambiance music, sad nostalgia.
200 bars kind of goated?
++*: Take Your Time ++: If I Were with Her Now, I Want You, Run, Step into the Breeze, Symphony Space, Shine a Light, Sway, 200 Bars +: You Know It's True, Smiles, Angel Sigh 9,5/10
Spiritualized feels like a more hazy, less focused, and yet somehow maximalist companion band to Radiohead. I can see what the band was trying to do but it grated my ears. I quite liked "I Want You" though. However, do check out their 1997 album 'Ladies and Gentlemen we are floating in space' with a similarly minimalist cover. That is a more realized version of what this album was trying to be.
- Hat einen entspannteren Vibe - Ab und zu nice Gitarrensolos und nicer Bass - zum Ende hin hören sich alle Lieder irgendwie gleich an und die Lieder selbst variieren auch wenig Topsong: I want you
Walls and washes of guitar noise and whispered vocals that blend into a mix of shoegaze and dream pop with occasional dashes of glam. I couldn't whistle any of the tunes though so the album title is a tad misleading. Best Tracks: I Want You; Run; Shine a Light
Grintcore. Helped me to focus on some work.
Drifty. Intense. Easy to zone out to. Lush in places. Sneering and indie in places. Life is so much cinematic comedown music.
Boring
Spacey, dreampop-meets-britpop kinda vibes
Rock, Pop, getragen, 1992 -> 1-2
Pretty chill, good work music
Almost fell asleep. Kind of the point I guess. Some nice songs but very long winded
Really floaty and dreamy sounding, but kind of boring. Almost put me to sleep while driving
- I thought at first this was going to be another late-60s psychedelic rock album until I looked up the group and saw they were an early-90s group from the UK. the opening track is a little like early Pink Floyd and David Gilmour’s more subdued vocals (“Fat Old Sun,” etc.) - some albums seem really reflective of the time period in which they were produced, but I would have a hard time figuring out which decade this came from if the first few tracks were all I had to go on. there's a kind of timelessness to it, which is aided in part by the tambourine, some hand drums/bongos, and acoustic guitar mixed with electric (not to mention some of the very psychedelic effects in tracks like “Angel Sigh”) - I’m having trouble figuring out which group this mostly reminds me of. I hear a little of Air in the repeated bass riff and minimal keyboard sound effects (especially in “Take Your Time”), but there’s another group I can’t think of right now (that I’m sure will come to me in a dream or similar time when I least expect it) - overall, very pleasant to listen to while working. the vocals aren’t at the foreground enough to be distracting, and the instrumental sections (like in "200 Bars") are repetitive enough without being annoying. it makes working feel 10% less soul-draining than normal, and I'm sure I'll put this on again when I'm having trouble concentrating on a task
Space noise. Silly. Last couple songs almost redeemed the early nonsense.
This was an alright album, didn't blow me away but it wasn't bad by any means
not so moving
I was open to this, no preconceptions, but it didn't do it for me. Some gorgeous synths and a moody atmosphere. No doubt because it was 1992, the songs themselves were a bit Manchester-sounding in their vocal arrangements, melodies and chords (despite the band hailing from, er, Rugby) but sadly, they lacked the dance factor. It was bit like the Stone Roses crossed with Pink Floyd, but only the very dullest bits of each. Disappointing.
A really good album, but one that I didn't resonate with as much as I expected. It's early dream pop, gentle shoegaze, every song a crescendo into the air. I guess that's where I kind of struggle with it-- each song has a similar formula of ascending to something, but it never really reaches a goal. The sonic textures are clean and simple, but what are we building towards? Each track feels like the introduction of something else or the opening tracks to an epic album, but it's like that for an hour. There seems to be a lot of space-filling (and maybe that's all the goal is) but with it seeming to build, and then nothing coming, it's like being musically teased over and over. That said, it's a nice album to turn the lights off and sink into for a while. Put on your noise-cancelling headphones and turn it up to hear all the layers of instruments. I just felt it missed the opportunity to rise to the next step of releasing the tension that builds throughout.
,,
Yeah, this is not it... could be the genre, as it not my cup of tea, but this quickly became background music as the album went on. Nothing inspiring I could pick up (for my taste, obviously), and not a single memorable moment. It's music, I guess. Did not like this one at all.
what if we made Pink Floyd but like a lot worse??? was LSD a pre-req for this to be an “album to listen to before I die”? not sure I get it
Boring, slow, repetitive, and uninspired. "Essential" albums shouldn't sound so lame that I could have recorded them in my basement without any musical experience or skill.
Enjoyed this rather more than the other one of theirs on this list, which reminded me of Kraftwerk, if I remember rightly (although it has been over 900 albums now, so I may be mis-remembering). Captured the mellow Monday morning work mood to a tee. Couldn't name any of the tracks (despite playing it twice back to back), but it drifted past pleasantly in an ambient haze. Not bad.
Scuzzy, but nothing new. 8am on Monday morning wasn't the best time to take in all the thrills. Will revisit after a couple of shandies.
This one was not made for me. Very long, very aimless, not sure it accomplished the grandeur that it was trying to. 1 is too harsh because there’s some great effects and ideas and soundscapes but I wouldn’t ever listen to this this on purpose ever again.
It was quiet and soothing. Great music for a slow evening
7/10 Favorites: Step into the Breeze Shine a Light
Spacey, not bad, good work music. 3* Highlights: shine a light
interesting listen. i wouldn’t recommend listening to it while driving, however. i swear that some of the songs put me in a trance.
Jesus
You Know It’s True // I Want You // Shine a Light //
No strong feelings bout this one, spiritualized would to much more interesting stuff later anyway 2/5
Prima werkmuziek, daar is t ook mee gezegd
It grew on me. But listen to New Age Healers instead it’s better.
Excellent. About as good as "Ladies and Gentlemen, We Are Floating in Space."
Jako čudan album, ima svega i dosta sam zbunjena. Od nekog lošeg rocka, do krauta, psihodelije, nemam pojma šta se tu događa. 2/5, 4/10
New wave synth music, almost all tracks are instrumentals. Very well produced and clean, full sound. Gentle, dream-like, and interesting listen. I thought of King Gizz's Butterfly album when hearing it.
Spacey and atmospheric, lush soundscapes meet classic rock sensibilities.
maybe I would have liked it more if I was on shrooms
Vacation’s over, we’re back. This was fine. We listened to it while on a drive and I think it made nice background music, but I couldn’t say anything that stood out to me about it. I frankly couldn’t really understand what he was singing about, but I still found it to be miles above paul simon’s album, which is apparently my new litmus test for a three-star rating. I’ll never listen to it again but it served me well for a single hour.
BOOOOOORRIIIINNNNNG. I like shoegaze but this didn’t do it for me. It sounds like something I would like but the execution did not hit home so I didn’t finish this one.
This album was too situational and specific to broadly classify as a “great album”. It felt like most of the music could he enjoyed in the background - but to truly appreciate the album it almost feels like you have to be on acid or smoking a ton of grass. Angel Sigh was a particular highlight though.
Pretty, spacey, and so subtle it sometimes vanishes mid-listen. Run drifts a J.J. Cale (more famously covewred by Lynard Skynar!) lyric into the cosmos ; I knew I’d heard it before but couldn’t place it, like awkwardly spotting a coworker at Costco. Gorgeous in theory, but too mellow to hold focus for long.
a softer rock album very spacey kind of sounds like background music some songs are too long with little lyrics
Not only does the crap not belong on a list of "musts," it doesn't belong anywhere. Cut out the garbage, weird, obnoxious, and stupid is just weird, obnoxious, and stupid, not something one needs to hear. 0.00
I started listening to this on my way out but had to finish up the following day, feeling slightly hungover, and this is quite the tonic! It’s dreamy and spaced out. It’s right up my street so will have to return to this, especially as this feels like it would take time to properly absorb. My only slight criticism is that, being quite long, requires a patient mood so might have to pick my moments to return to this one.
What a great nap I just had.
not as good as their other record on this list
I excellent album, psychedelic, spacey with really patient well crafted builds to their songs. It’s droney but a very lively, danceable drone if that makes any sense at all. It’s a very dreamy, lovely album all the way thru. Shine a Light is one of the best songs I’ve heard in quite some time, I should have heard this sooner. 5 stars
Not what I was expecting. Decent
Let's be honest, it's a bit shit isn't it?
Weird. J'hésite entre 2 et 3. Ce n'est pas horrible mais ce n'est vraiment pas mémorable. Je suis surpris que ça fasse partie de cette liste.
Sleepy as shit
Spiritualized would go on to make better albums. This is a solid start.
Excellent. Reminiscent of the Jesus and Mary Chain.
I gave this another listen, just to be sure. And now I am. As of right now, this is the album I have the least thoughts on. It's just there. I don't hate it, I don't like it, I didn't hear anything new or interesting or good or offensive or emotional or annoying or fun or... anything. It's just... there.
7/10… space rock / shoegaze 👂
Another rerun. One Spiritualized album was sufficient.
I always want to like Spiritualized more than I do.
Not good, not bad.
Чисто в музыкальном плане - неплохо, можно даже сказать - хорошо. Но мне не понравился вайб и настроение
Not for me but some were interesting. Way too long though
Disappointing
Like it!
So so
this took me like 2 weeks to finish im sorry its so boring
If quiet monotony is where you want to be, you need something extra to grab my attention. It was not provided here.
They got a little too lost in the ether, I think.
Dreamy
This was a huge surprise. It really grew on me over the course of the album. Feels like a sleepy, very early version of alt-J. I think it'd be rewarding on a re-listen, but I'm not sure if I'll ever actually do that.
lazer guided not interesting to me
I came in already having heard this album. This is a pleasant listen. It's ambient and interesting, really makes you feel like you are floating. While the whole album is worthwhile, the track Shine A Light stands out. I would listen again for sure.
# Playlist Track - Shine A Light # Notes - Needed to listen to it a couple of time before actually enjoying it. If my memory serves me right, their other album in the project had a similar effect. - It's an annoying listen at times. The pauses and drama drag a bit too long, and it gets a bit boring while you wait for the next cool moment. But those moments are there. - Good, not great. Recommend for the indie folks only.
Well-crafted, laid-back sounds, good for sleep or ambience. 3.3
Space Rock, Psychedelic Rock, Shoegaze
At moments it reminds me of Sims melodies, at moments it is reminiscent of the OC like the 200 Bars, its a very good closing song, I loved Angel Sighs it evokes a transformative and victorious energy, Shine a Light too. Some songs just sound like something you hear when you get a psychotics breakdown.. All in all its ok, But Idk when I would crave to listen to this.
Very nice album for a laid back Sunday morning Love the bass rumbling through
Songs to sleep zzzzzzzzzzzzz
Meh
dreamy shoegaze. Forgetable. fine.
If I ever want to listen to spiritualized I’ll listen to ladies in gentlemen.. So this is the first time I’ve listened to this album. I enjoyed it. But it’s not changed my view that there’s only one of their albums I’ll go back to regularly.
Pairing notes: beanbag, winter sweater, ability to zone out and do fuck all for an hour. Enjoyed it but took a couple of listens to appreciate
Some good, a lot of meh
(3.5/5) I'm pretty sure this is the first band I had never heard of prior to the generator. I'm sort of surprised because they're pretty cool. I'm also learning that their sound is somehow "space rock"? I imagine some more Hawkwind type of intergalactic psychedelic shit when I hear that term, not the ambient, moody, patient stuff on this album. My music education continues, I suppose. Anyway, at first I thought this might be the first random album that blows me away, but it never quite got there. I like the sound, I like the production, I like the overall mood, but none of the songs really took me to the higher plane I anticipated. I'll keep checking them out for sure, though. Also, I've seen some scathing, angry reviews about this album on here. What the hell? What about this music elicits anger? It really makes you scathe-y? Calm down, pal. We've bigger fish to fry.
# Album Name: Lazer guided melodies # Artist: Spiritualized # Rating: 1/5 # Comments: Absolutely terrible. jesus, what did i just listen to. Definitely need to be high AF for this. I was not. # Top Tunes: # Would I listen to it again? No
I'm not saying this bad, but just not my cup of tea. Why are there so so so many English groups on here that really provide nothing to the overall concept of this list? 2/5
That was a cool experience, not my genre normally, but sure that would have been great to cop as a novel genre at the time. Kind of dragged after a few songs and I tuned out but
Synth alt album, a bit heavy, not too bad.
I must have been in the mood to listen to Shoegaze, because I didn't hate it.
Ihan ok, ei lähtenyt koskaan täysillä. 2/5.
as i am in a process of getting my work permit approved and got a call today that i need to submit more papers, even though was told it would finally be over, this album helped calming my nerves and getting past the workday. 3/5
I guess this is one of those albums that is 5 stars on certain substances, like Phish or Stars of the Lid. Sober, I don't get it.
I cannot recall ever being this bored listening through an album. I really don't know what makes this worthy of the list.
Spacey shoegaze for the sake of being spacey shoegaze. The writing and production were at least competent but any emotion I was supposed to feel was overwritten with boredom
As the title and artist name suggested, this was a bit ethereal. Fine enough but lacking a bit of edge to make it too interesting.
There's not much here, really. It's not terrible, it just doesn't do anything for me. There's barely melody.
2.5
An absolutely stunning aural scape. I wish I would've heard this upon release. It would've been one of the most important albums of my life. Oh well, better late than never.
Sehr gut aufgebautey Album, war schön
On their 1992 debut Lazer Guided Melodies, Spiritualized drift away from Spacemen 3’s grit into a haze of looping guitars, narcotic rhythms, and soft-focus atmospherics that feel oddly prescient—like indie electronica a decade too early. Jason Pierce stitches the album into one continuous suite, more concerned with mood than hooks, and while moments of beauty surface, they often dissolve into excess. The highlights show the tension clearly: “If I Were With Her Now” aches in its stripped-down first half before being overwhelmed by orchestration; “I Want You” brushes up against Britpop catchiness through a narcotic fog; and “Run” shimmers like Elliott Smith on ecstasy. Dreamlike and ahead of its time, Lazer Guided Melodies is as frustrating as it is fascinating.
3/5
Floating
Perfect work music.
Mystical, captivating, amazing
I don't know if there will ever be a day when I enjoy this, but it's really pissing me off today.
Lots of short, repeating arpeggios and chords. Tracks don't seem too different from each other, but it was a comfortable background listening experience
The first time I listened, I was driving down the freeway, so I could barely hear much of it beyond some electronic blips. After listening to the almost the whole album again at home with headphones, it clicked: you absolutely need to be in a certain state of mind, possibly altered by some illegal substances, to truly appreciate this. Too much of this album is wasted on formless instrumentals and songs that seem to never end, but when they focus their pop instincts you can hear something special.
Lots of 90s music just isn’t it for me.
Not unreal for a first listen. Imagine this type of droning would need some time to appreciate it more.
I enjoyed it, but after a while it occurred to me that it's basically an album full of closing songs. A bit redundant after a while, probably 3.5 for me but bumping. Would and will listen again!
I really enjoyed the back half of this album. Truthfully, their next album is the best of their catalogue. This mixes some good with some very middling tracks. It's fine. Good "heads-down-coding" music. 6/10
Nope.
Carajo. Se me borró la reseña. Voy a sintentizar lo que recuerde que había puesto: este es un gran disco, le pongo 5 estrellas (sería un 9/10 como Siembra). Spiritualized es un gran combo de neopsicodelia, rock and roll y música religiosa y creo que este disco es el mejor para empezar a escucharlo y no el tal vez más popular Ladies and Gentlemen (que tiene mejores canciones, pero también peores). Este disco en cambio es muy parejo aunque perjudica que las canciones estén medio en bloques. Mi canción favorita es Shine a Light (como la de casi todo el mundo, creo); me gustan mucho también If I Were with Her Now, Smile y el cierre del disco. Todo el disco es bueno, pero tal vez lo peorcito es Take Your Time (que irónicamente dura mucho tiempo) y Run, que es muy reminiscente de The Velvet Underground y corta un poco el trip. Eso, in a nutshell.
Після чергової ночі з сусідом-довбойобом цей альбом був хорошим способом трохи переключитися. Є в ньому цей розслаблений та відсторонений настрій, який зараз був мені треба. Пісні досить повільно розвиваються, є репетативність, яка мені часто подобається в музиці. Гурт не заходить на територію якихось виражених експериментів, як це буде робити далі в своїй музиці. Все тримається в межах космічного дрім-попу з психоделічними вкрапленнями. Несподівано для самого себе альбом сподобався. Цікаво буде переслухати іншим разом
Чесно - мені нудно від цього альбому.
Ladies and gentlemen, we are lukewarm on this album. It's like an analog ner'd wet dream at a Guitar Center.
Paired immaculately with the smoke in my lungs and the fog in the air during a supremely spacey Thursday morning walk.
Definitely my favorite experimental album of The ones I've listened to so far. I'd write more but I have 8 hours from getting off to going back to work.
So, I didn't save my review from yesterday. Unfortunate! Anyway, I couldn't finish the album yesterday as the album put me to sleep, but in mostly a good way. It's peaceful and definitely is something I'd listen to in between songs with heavy guitars and strong vocals.
Boring. Not awful, though.
Very floaty and relaxing. I enjoy the way it meanders along
It was pretty good but it never really captured me.
Yawn... This was soon boring...
Too warbly
2/5
So so cool. Incredibly atmospheric and immersive. I especially love the slow burn of Shine a Light with the frenzied horns and noise fading in over the serene jazzy beat. Excellent album!
7/10. Pretty good. Kinda like Stone Roses but it had more oomph, more energy.
Didn't really care for this
It’s quite an achievement to make an album that you can listen to for an hour and have absolutely no memory of what you’ve just heard. As the final track finished, I genuinely struggled to recall anything about it. I guess it’s 60s psychedelia through a 90s shoegaze lens, with bits of ambient and drone music thrown in. In theory this should be right up my street, but it’s not quite as good as the bands that it tries to emulate - there are nods to the Velvet Underground, the synths from 70’s Who and Hawkwind, and possibly a bit of Brian Eno, but it never quite gels. It’s billed as Space Rock but it never gets much beyond a disappointing sub-orbital flight.
I tend to like this kind a dreamy, shoegazy, psychedelic stuff, but apart from bits here and there, it kind of fails to click. Nothing really bad, but nothing particularly standing out. Feels like it could have been better.
Sounded like a soundtrack, to what I don't know.
Put on some headphones and float in outer space
It's a decent album to listen to when you're staring out of the window. On the other hand there are hundred better albums for this purpose alone. Could it at least not have been british?
Parts of this album are really cool. Other parts are kinda meh.
Pleasant enough, but nothing special. Extreme background music.
:-) I can imagine there are mindsets where this is just the greatest album. I liked it just fine.
Its alright
Brilliant and beautiful. Somehow missing from my library until now
Good vibes music
Showgaze bore-athon.
2.5
3.5
I'm having a hard time nailing this one down. On one hand the melodies tend to bore me a good bit, but when it gets spacey and crunchy, I fucking love it.. I'm gonna slide to a light 4 for now only because the crunchy side is winning my affection (8.15) ★★★★
I really like the atmospheric, shoegaze-adjacent sound on this one, and it was released on my 8th Birthday. 4.5 stars
3.5/5
Spirtualized was a band I never really listened to before this 1001 project, but think both of their albums in this list are really cool. I slightly prefer Ladies and Gentlemen to this one, but this is really nice, and it sounds more timeless than a lot of the stuff coming out of the UK at this time. I do think this sags a little bit in the middle, but it really bounces back -- the last 4 tracks are really nice. Highlights for me are "You Know It's True", "Shine a Light", "Angel Sigh", and "Sway". 4 stars.
3.5
More like Lazer Guided Piffle. This is the most yawnsomy, bleary hour-long pile of whatever I’ve encountered yet on this list. I can’t bring myself to call it Space Rock or Dream Pop, I’d instead have to give it blank spaces in regard to genre descriptors. After listening to this I feel about as spiritualised as Steve The Extremely Serious Atheist at the world’s most serious atheist convention.
I bit tedious if I’m honest! I bought …floating in space when it came out and tried many times to get into but never could. It’s all a bit one dimensional and yawn, boring.
Great album of spacey rock. Really takes off from Shine a Light to the end.
Ugh
I wasn't familiar with the band or the album before. After reading the reviews and the Wikipedia article, I was expecting the worst. But this music is right up my alley. I enjoyed listening to it. I think the album is worth listening to again. 4/5
Luna-esque
Way too trippy Would’ve loved this in my partying days, but not now
Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating in Space is one of my favorite albums of all time, but I wasn't all that interested in checking out Spiritualized's other works. For me, that album captured such a specific, unique vibe that I had no faith in it being replicated with enough success anywhere else. Unsurprisingly, this album doesn't do that. What is surprising is that it's not that much worse. It is still incredibly hypnotic and atmospheric, just like We Are Floating in Space, but not quite to the same degree and with more downtime. This album doesn’t reach the same highs, but is still great.
Lame as fuck
This sounds a lot like one of those sleep music playlists you listen to when you can't get to sleep. There's nothing bad about this music, it's just not something I would want to listen to unless I'm wide awake in a dark room at 3 AM.
To be honest, my day was insane and I didn’t get to listen to the lyrics and vocals as much as I would normally …. But ….. this was great background music during a hectic day. I’ll definitely give it another go
ending of song one kinda reminds me of duster in a good way 7.4
Jason Pierce... we meet again. Back in February of this year, I listened to an album called Playing With Fire by a group called Spacemen 3. I didn't like it. Most of it was just whatever, but one song on it sucked and dragged it down to a 2/5. However, I knew that one of the guys behind that group, Jason Pierce, was also behind another project that happens to have 2 albums on this list, that being Spiritualized. I said at the end of the Spacemen 3 review, "Maybe I'll vibe with Jason Pierce's other project Spiritualized. We'll see when I get there." Well, I've finally gotten there. After listening to Spiritualized's debut album, Lazer Guided Melodies, I can now say that I do in fact vibe with Jason's Pierce's other project Spiritualized. This album's good! This album definitely takes more of the ambient spacey elements of the other group into focus while minimizing that noisiness. That's not to say that there's not noise here. This could reasonably be considered shoegaze after all, but it's also got some dream pop and space rock elements that I really like. This album does make me feel somewhat like I'm floating in space, which I like. The instrumentation is a lot more gentle than the Spacemen 3 album, which appeals to me more. The writing is kind of vague but also somewhat intriguing. The vocals match the hazy dreamscapes of the instrumentals quite well. The album's a bit long, but it's not too egregious, especially since the time is spent well due to the album's good pacing and solid music. It also helps that, while the tone is consistent, the album doesn't all blend together into a mush. Standout moments and songs do exist. So, yeah, Spiritualized is cool. Apparently this isn't even their best album. I guess I have something to look forward to with the other album of theirs on the list! Light 4/5.
Lazer Guided Melodies is the definition of an album that’s greater than the sum of its parts, which, arguably, is what the album format should aspire to in general. In isolation, no single song stands out as exceptional, but when experienced as a whole, the intention and the concept come into focus and become completely apparent. It’s less about individual moments and more about the atmosphere it sustains. And speaking of atmosphere - this album is full of dreamy, layered textures and spaced-out noises and drones. And while I really appreciate it for this, I still needed something more to latch onto here - a brilliant melody, an interesting lyrical line, something unexpected. At times, the band feels low on momentum: hypnotic, yes, but also slightly lethargic. It's an approach that Jason Pierce would refine with more emotional and dynamic contrast on future records. That said, Lazer Guided Melodies succeeds fully on its own terms. It creates a world of its own and pulls you in for an hour, and immerses you in its atmosphere. 3/5
Going blind into another album let's go. Opening track starts with a slow soft sung love track, heavy on the keys and reverbed clean tone electric guitar very easy listening, transitioning into heavy digital effects towards the end of the track. 2nd track picks up the BPMs a bit, big distorted guitar chords, the use of almost whispered lyrics add to it very nicely. There's a consistent echoey type effect with the vocals that really contrasts with a mixture of funky basslines and high end drumming. The album bounces between these two paces making it fairly consistent album overall. Overall it's a fairly easy listen but not an album I'd revisit anytime soon, it's not bad but it's not exactly grabbing me in any kind of way. 2/5 MTW A proper throwback to childhood for me - minimalist rhythm and dreamy vocals. I didn't realised how stoned my dad was for most of the 90s until I was WAY older. Whenever anyone tries to talk to me about shoegaze I just mention Spiritualized and then run away, so I will admit this type of music isn't my bread and butter and I'm not overly qualified to speak on it. You can however hear the influences a lot of bands since have taken from this record in particular, i.e. Radiohead (Tracks 2 and 6), The Verve (track 4), Arcade Fire (most of the record) to name a few. I find LGM to be a very up and down record, with a lot of tracks taking too long without presenting enough meat. It is bookended excellently though by my highlight tracks being the opener and the closer. 200 Bars has the right balance to it and ends the album on a high with a hopeful feel, positive guitar and a still-awake vocalist, against all odds. 2.5/5
First album, exactly 1 hour long which was my estimated time to set aside for an average length album :) A bit shoegaze-y, a bit too discordant in parts but enjoyed the piece as a whole. Not in a rush to listen to it again.
Space rock…the name says it all.
Wow, how have I never listened to this album before? Has that early 90's indie sound with elements of dance, ambient, psych and some nice crunching glam chords thrown in for good measure. Everything great that British guitar music threw up over the preceeding 25 years is here and it's beautiful.
Day 6 First listen- Wow what a lush and a beautiful album! Enjoyed every minute of it! The mellow tracks and gorg melodies really transport you to another dimension! (4/5)
woah, ok, very spacey feeling, good for background white noise. Otherwise, don't like it
More like Sleepy English Space Rock. This album was fine, but almost every song sounded the same, which I guess works in your favor when your genre is space rock, where the 1 hour run time makes the record sound like one continuous track. I didn't hate it, but I won't be seeking these guys out again... unless they have another album on this list, that is. And my guess is that they probably do.
This mind numbing barrage of one bassline and sound throughout the entire album was exhausting. So exhausting I may need nap. I firmly believe that repeated listens could bring on a spontaneous coma that I might never recover from. I'm going to need to kick things up to 11 after the coalescence of melancholia and despair that this album exhumed.
A modern classic. This has so many good songs that I think it is incredibly underrated.
I really enjoyed this. It was just different enough and soothing enough to be nice.
I was exhausted when I listened to this and it made me start seeing through walls.
ah...shoegaze...i see.. Conversation that never happend: A: Hey let's listen to that song symphony space again B: oh hell yeah that track is so awesome A: yeah and it has the perfect length
certains son incr
2.5
Another boring album taking up a spot on this list that could have been filled by an actually good album.
I thought this could be a 3, but it just starts to grate on you.
The birth of shoegaze? I’ve been waiting 35 years to listen to this. It did not disappoint.
Easy, enjoyable listen but somewhat bloated. 3.5
I enjoyed the second half much more than the first. I'm still not entirely sure how I feel about it overall, but I liked it well enough to give it 3 stars.
Perhaps a hot take, but my least favorite Spiritualized record. They get so, so much more interesting for me after this. 3/5
Boring noodle-y synth stuff
Boring, bland, forced myself to listen to the full thing. Upon further research, realised it was the guy from Spacemen 3 and I hated that album when it came up too.
There's a lot of beauty here, but it does get a bit backgroundy/droney
Space-Rock? I was expecting them to sound like Hawkwind, but they're more experimental, and have a with a Horn section! Meh!
So-so dreamy pop. I didn’t hate it, but I wouldn’t rush to listen again soon.
ok
A really good psychedelic rock album not as great as the third album (Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating in Space) but well worth owning if you dig this sort of thing.
Not my cup of tea.
not a fan
Good one, really trippy. Great to listen to while doing something intense
Beautiful record but probably not one I’ll think about or return to often. 7/10
Not for me
not bad, not great
Sonic layered space rock. There’s a lot to hear in the mix. I just wish it had a point or point of view. This feels more like soundscapes at times than songs.
Interesting mix of melodies.
This is really long and kind of just drifts around. I tried twice and mostly zoned out and didn't notice it either time. It wasn't awful, but it was forgettable and I don't know why if I could only hear 1,001 albums, that I'd pick something forgettable.
This sounds like a great version of whatever this is. I'm not sure why it is important for it to be on this list. A little too formulaic at times, which makes it sound like variations on the same song concept.
This album just floats. I don’t know how else to describe it. Listening to Lazer Guided Melodies feels like being gently pulled out to sea by something warm and benevolent, like the tide wants you to have a nice nap and forget about your obligations. It’s spacey without being sterile, psychedelic without being showy. Every sound feels lovingly placed, each guitar loop or drone or string wash lingering just long enough before melting into the next. I think what got me was how natural the whole thing feels, like the songs aren’t trying to impress you, they’re just there, existing in a kind of sleepy, blissful state. I really love how the tracks bleed into each other, which makes the album feel like a single piece. There’s structure here, but it’s so fluid that you don’t notice the seams. Shine A Light is probably the moment I keep returning to — the way it grows, slowly but surely, from this spaced-out murmur to something almost symphonic is just beautiful. And Run with its lazy, half-conscious groove really caught me off guard the first time. I was expecting something much messier, but this is so precise in its looseness — if that makes sense. For me, Lazer Guided Melodies is about surrender. It’s not an album that demands attention, but it rewards it deeply. I can put it on in the background and let it colour the room, or sit down with headphones and get properly lost. Either way, it always feels like it’s taking me somewhere I need to go
6/10
..who enjoys this?
10/10 I’ve listened to a lot of post-rock, but there’s something about Spiritualized that keeps my coming back for more
Not a huge shoegaze guy but this one really struck a chord with me. Whimsical and sometimes a little bit like a ghost peeking in, but the music and ambience was tip top. Gonna listen to this again.
Yawn. No thanks. 2.
*Kind of like if INXS but with absolutely no cool parts. *Fine background music, but pretty boring and sometimes just annoying. *Looks like Wiki described is as English space rock, which seems accurate. But light rock. *Meh. *Don't hate it, but very unsure why this would make any top album list. RATING - 4/10
Pretty good actually. Only the second album i’ve listened to by this group… maybe i should listen to more
Good. 3.999 stars. This album is very much My Kind Of Thing. Although truth be told their other bigger album might be the only one of theirs that deserves to be on this list. This album from this period of time being on this list is consistent with the UK bias of this project.
This one is new to me, but I know Ladies and Gentlemen We are Floating in Space, which is very similar. Both good, long and I just kind of forget about them when they’re done.
Not bad. Started strong. A bit boring, a bit long.
Really nice and relaxing listen, just started going in one ear and out the other towards the end.
super cool
Didn't expect these guys to pop up again. Their 1997 album was one of the first albums I generated, which I remember really liking. However I have neither returned to the album or the band since, despite how much I praised it. When it comes to this album I'm hoping for more of the same really. Expecting something bold yet concise. You Know It's True Soothing track with a pleasant supporting guitar and spacey synth. Uninteresting lyrics. There's a calming element to the vocals. Great instrumental section towards the end, has a psychedelic element to it which really knits the track together. Not the most exciting song ever, but a solid start. Decent. 3.5/5 If I Were with Her Now I like the light percussive elements in the intro section of the song. Interesting parallels with the harsh synth effects and the smoother guitar riff. Interesting mix. I like how the tension just deflates towards the middle of the track, creating a very satisfying buildup towards the next section. The repetitive instrumental with the oscillating percussion creates an hypnotic effect, making for a very stimulating ending. Good. 4/5 I Want You Very spacey. The noisier elements sound great. Lovely guitar distortion. I like the way the instrumental builds up towards the end of the chorus. Very dynamic, there's a lot of movement to this sound. Especially when contrasting the harsh effects to the thick but distant bassline. Good. 4/5 Run The instrumental has a lot of resonnance with the lyrics. Sounds very 'deserty'. Very electric. Love the subtle "whoosh" sounds in the background. Psychedelic and dense. Decent. 3.5/5 Smiles The electric organ just makes sense with this sort of sound. Fun percussion. Decent climax. Feels like a bit of an interlude. Fine. 3/5 Step Into The Breeze Has some pretty lovely positive undertones in the back of the instrumental. The strings in the background sound really warm, contrasting with the otherwise cold nature of the track. Really makes a lot of sense when you take the title of the track into account. Decent. 3.5/5 Symphony Space Cosmic sci-fi ambience coded. Reminds me a bit of something of off "Apollo" by Brian Eno. Lacks a discernable melodic element, but makes up for it with a lot of atmosphere. Very soothing. Good. 4/5 Take Your Time I like the synthline in the background. Don't love the vocals. They're a bit too quiet and almost sound incomprehensible here. Lovely guitar break. Honestly really repetitive and boring despite the slight variation between verses. The buildup towards the end is really good however, but it doesn't completely save the track. Average. 2.5/5 Shine A Light Spiritual and religious. Pairs well with the generally psychedelic sound of the track. Has some cinematic qualities in the instrumental. Really like how the two main melodic elements in the instrumental pair together and contrast with each other. Love the heavy distortion. Very large and climatic ending. Love the calm and soothing conclusion after a very chaotic and harsh climax. Great. 4.5/5 Angel Sigh Really appreciate a more normally structured track. Great guitar. Love the crashing drums as well. The vocals remain a bit iffy. Love the high pitched synth in the background. Decent. 3.5/5 Sway Really like the guitar effect. Hate the vocals. The high pitched effect in the background really works. The ambience of the track is kinda ruined by the effect laden vocals. Average. 2.5/5 200 Bars Churchy. The counting at the end of each bar does get the point across. Hypnotic atmosphere. Love how it rises and builds upon itself. Great bass once the vocals come in. Does have some ethereal qualities to it, especially with that high pitched background synth. Good execution of a cool concept. Great. 4.5/5 This album is a gorgeous sonic experience posessing great ambience and atmosphere. It's instrumentally rich, providing an ethereal and cinematic sound that takes you off to another world. Has interesting song structures with beautiful buildups, gorgeous slow sections and explosive conclusions. My only real complaint is that the vocals kinda drown themselves out. Either in effects or through the album's mixing. On quite a few songs on here the lyrics are completely incomprehensible due to this. I enjoyed it, but it's really slow and meandering at times, sporting a fair bit of repetitive patterns. This could come across as boring to some, so this is something you've got to be in the right headspace for. 4/5
Boring.
Fairly generic shoegaze-y affair. A bit too long but not bad by any means.
This is the good stuff. I was slightly less whelmed by the album earlier in the Proj from Spiritualized that I knew much better than this one. This felt more shoegazey and a bit less far out maybe. Whatever; I enjoyed it hugely and would gladly listen to it on the regs.
i just cant get behind shoegaze but thats just me
Kolejna płyta na granicy 3 i 4. Pierwsza połowa, mimo mojej nienawiści do shoegaze zmierzała w stronę czwórki, ale niestety druga połowa: nadęta i zbyt kosmiczna na mój gust, zniszczyła moje nadzieje. Końcowe utwory są zbyt długie. Próbują we mnie wszczepić energię kosmiczna na którą mam alergię. Nawet przyjemny wokal i naprawdę mocna pierwsza połowa tego nie uratuje. 6.5/10 równane w dół.
Nobody really has to listen to this crap. Its a zero for me
kinda boring a little weird too
Unlike anything I've heard before. Reminds me bit of Godspeed! You Black Emperor. Unlike them though, there was a point when the songs started to blend together. Notable Tracks: If I Were With Her Now, Shine A Light, Angel Sigh
Likes a lot
Pretty chill and spacey, but also a bit boring. I'm very much torn what to think of this.
A surprisingly soothing experience! This album is filled with unexpected twists that kept me engaged from start to finish. It’s exactly the kind of surprise I look for in this long list of albums.
Like Oasis or Stone Roses but very boring and no grit.
Aight
Not as good as other Spiritualized album on the list. Lazer Guided Melodies falls a bit flat, especially after raising my hopes through "Ladies and Gentelmen..." Still quite entertaining, but slightly disappointing.
kind of easy to tune out but really good soft progressive backgound music
OK I've not been about but hey! These are playing tramlines! I don't know that they're my kinda thing but they're on the main stage before pulp so I'll most likely be seeing them This seems decent but I find it so hard to concentrate on this sort of thing I'm on like track 8 without noticing. I recognise Shine A Light. I have nothing else to say. Getting a bit boring now maybe I need to revisit this on drugs at 1am
No real reason for this to be an hour long. Background music, but nothing terrible. 2.5/5.0: Mixed
same complaint as their other album on the list, too long for what it is, still decent overall