Does the term ‘space rock’ lead you to memories of head banging to Hawkwind’s “Silver Machine”? That’ll just be me then! I do recall seeing Hawkwind play live long long ago and it took me three days to accept I wasn’t at the gig anymore – literally spaced out. Most of you will know of the band Spiritualized. Their 1997 album, “Ladies And Gentlemen We Are Floating In Some Form Of Sticky Liquid That Has The Consistency Of Custard But Doesn’t Taste As Nice” was a major success and brought space rock up to date. I have heard some other stuff from them since then and they are less ‘spacious’ and really quite good. Well the head honcho, Jason Pierce has been a rather sick child for a long time and, if good can come out of bad, the new album is really quite exceptional. It’s called “Sweet Heart Sweet Light” and out on 16th April. ‘I Am What I Am’ is a lovely slice of 60’s psychedelia, with an obvious influence from madcap Syd Barrett. Listen, if only out of intrigue.
