All the angels were singing

Fire has long been a recurring theme with Spiritualized.

As have drug references, medication and lush musical arrangements.

Never more so than on their high point of their career so far, 'Ladies And Gentlemen We Are Floating In Space'. Originally packaged like a giant pill in a medicine box and containing some of the best songs I've ever heard, it is near perfect and stands as one of the best records in my collection. Since then Spiritualized have struggled to repeat the brilliance of that record. 'Let It Come Down' attempted to reach for the stars but fell some way short. Everything about it seemed too forced. It seemed to be cynically expanding the sound of 'Ladies And Gentlemen...', concentrating too much on manipulating the senses with grand orchestration, regardless of whether the songs needed it or not. Overlong, overcomplicated and overindulgent, it was a disappointing, if not totally unenjoyable, listen.

At the other end of the spectrum, 'Amazing Grace' seemed something of a knee jerk reaction to that. Stripped of virtually any strings or gospel accompaniment, it was a rougher, rawer record in keeping with the garage rock revival that was going on. Songs were shorter. Guitars were louder and it seemed to be attempting to reignite some of the fire that burned in J Spaceman's earlier incarnation in Spaceman 3. It also seemed a little rushed. Again almost forced. It wasn't a bad record but neither is it one that I find myself reaching from the shelf very often.

And so to 2008. Following an acclaimed (not least from me) acoustic tour last year, Spiritualized return with a new record and seemingly a renewed focus and sense of purpose. With it’s title inspired by J's time in hospital following a serious illness, 'Songs In A & E' seems to be receiving mostly positive reviews. And these three tracks, recorded live in session, seem to suggest those reviews are pretty spot on. They appear to be simpler in construction than previous Spiritualized songs. Less overblown but no less lush in sound. There also seems to be a more uplifting feel to them, something that hasn't always been apparent within their music. 'Soul On Fire' seems especially celebrational. Almost as though his illness and subsequent recovery injected a renewed love of life. A different kind of hurricane inside his veins than maybe he's used to. Not that he's going over the top with it. For as ever, no matter what is going on around him, whether it be squealing feedback or joyous gospel, at Spiritualized's centre, J Spaceman sounds as fragile and uncertain as ever. Oh and in case you're wondering, apparently 'Sweet Talk' is the only song on the album actually performed in a and e.

Spiritualized - soul on fire (live session version) original version available on 'Songs In A & E'

Spiritualized - sitting on fire (live session version) original version available on 'Songs In A & E'

Spiritualized - sweet talk (live session version) original version available on 'Songs In A & E'

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