There's a certain subset of our friends who NEVER miss a Spiritualized show on the off chance it's Jason's last. He's not only still among the living, but just released a new album, Sweet Heart Sweet Light, and Chi-Town's right at the tour's start. This is one show not to miss.
Spiritualized
Metro- Chicago, IL
May 3, 2012 8:00 PM 18 & Over. Valid State or Federal ID Required for entry.
Doors open at 7:00 PM.
Also appearing: Nikki Lane.
Don't be put off by the enigmatic Spiritualized site. Tabs reading Perscriptions, Admissions, Pharmacy, Outpatient, Complimentary Medicines and Side Effects will not get you a box full of e-junk from cheap Canadian pharmacies, but an ear full of Spiritualized to cure what ails you.
Fat Possum in the US and
Domino imprint Double Six in the UK is the new home of psych rockers Spiritualized. Their new album, Sweet Heart Sweet Light, their first since 2008's Songs in A&E just came out April 19th, a month delay from the original anticipated release.
Spiritualized
The 7th album from Spiritualized is in stores now.
Look for Spiritualized on tour in North America in May. Tickets are on
sale now. The LP is in store June 05 and can be pre-ordered now.
"I had the rather foolish idea last November that I
could deliver the record that's been sent out and keep working on the
real version," says Pierce, speaking on the phone from his Manhattan
hotel room. "I'd meet the delivery date they need for reviews and things
like that and nobody would be any the wiser that I'd be carrying on
with the mixing."
So, erm, the version of the (very good) album that we've been listening to is not
the version that fans will eventually hear? "I think it's quite
different," explains Pierce. "People say that all the little mixing
moves I'm doing now are just for myself, but to me they're no different
than the mixing moves I did at the start of the process. Balancing
things is what mixing is. Some bits are more realized and closer to what
I wanted them to sound like, but I'm in the unenviable position now
where the [album] that's out there isn't finished."
Pierce isn't particularly worried, though, about confusing reviewers by having these quasi-completed version of Sweet Heart kicking around. "With the reviews," he scoffs, "sometimes it's like they've got a different album anyway.
Just don't ask Pierce if it's hard for him to resist the urge to keep
tinkering with his majestic sounds. "Tinkering?" he says irritably. "Is
that what you think I'm doing? Tinkering?" No no no no. Silly question.
Poor choice of words.
Regardless, barring any wholesale changes, when Pierce is done doing what he needs to do, Sweet Heart Sweet Light is shaping up to be another stellar entry in the band's beautiful catalog.
ChiIL Live Shows got a recent press peek at the NEW new album, and are impressed with the mix. Hey Jane is a strong start to an impressive track list. Then Little Girl blew us away. We're particularly fond of Headin' for the Top Now and I Am What I Am. Mary is wrenching and wonderful. This album is an enticing amalgam of Jason's influences in such diverse genres as jazz, blues, drone and gospel, and his own past collection of works.
That extra month of perfectionistic fine tuning was well worth the wait! I do get it. I'm married to a location sound engineer who is super sensitive to audio mixes, and I tend to get a bit OCD myself when it comes to writing and visual arts. When things are visually unbalanced or off kilter, or I have to suffer through poor writing, it bothers me in an almost physical way that begs to be rectified.
Then there's that scary fact that once things are printed and distributed, they're indelible and can't be improved upon or fixed, even if your future life wisdom shows you a better phrase. At least with music there's always the live shows, where anything goes and new arrangements that go above and beyond the studio tracks are possible.
We can't wait to see Spiritualized break out the new and old material at Metro tomorrow.
Despite Jason's requisite pain and death laden lyrics, this album is decidedly upbeat compared to his past, and a poignant joy to listen to. If music is your drug, try Sweet Heart Sweet Light on white vinyl! This perceptive perscription's a sure cure that'll leave you euphoric. Highly recommended.
We're still waiting for final confirmation but plan to be on hand to shoot stills and possibly catch an interview with Jason, if humanly possible.
Sweet Heart Sweet Light Tracklist:
01. Hey Jane
02. Little Girl
03. Get What You Want
04. Too Late
05. Heading For The Top
06. Freedom
07. I Am What I Am
08. Mary
09. Life Is A Problem
10. So Long You Pretty Things
Spiritualized 2012 -- Remaining Tour Dates
05/02 Minneapolis, MN First Avenue
05/03 Chicago, IL Metro
05/04 Detroit, MI The Majestic Theatre
05/05 Toronto, Ontario The Phoenix
05/07 New York, NY Terminal 5
05/09 Boston, MA Paradise
05/10 Washington, DC The 9:30 Club
05/11 Philadelphia, PA Theatre of Living Arts
05/12 Carrboro, NC Cat's Cradle
05/13 Atlanta, GA The Variety Playhouse
05/15 Dallas, TX The Granada Theatre
05/16 Austin, TX Emo's East
05/18 Tucson AZ The Rialto Theatre
05/19 Phoenix AZ The Crescent Ballroom
05/20 San Diego CA Belly Up Tavern
05/22 Los Angeles CA The Wiltern
05/23 San Francisco CA The Fillmore
05/25 Portland, OR The Wonder Ballroom
05/26 Vancouver, British Columbia The Rickshaw Theatre
We've been promoting the Spiritualized show for months on our ChiIL Live Shows Facebook page and Twitter feed, and the time is finally here, TOMORROW at METRO (18+). Doors at 7pm. Tickets are still available at the door.
2012 is a huge year for anniversaries, with Metro celebrating 30 years and XRT celebrating 40! So check out some Chi, IL Live Shows at one of our favorite Chi-town staples. They may have dropped the Cabaret from their name, but Metro still boasts an impressive, eclectic line up of bands coming through. Check in with ChiIL Live Shows like we vote in Chi, IL...early and often for the heads up on our highly recommended list.
