Spiritualized Pure Phase

Pure Phase is even more ambitious than its predecessor, Lazer Guided Melodies. While the tremulous, roiling distortion of “These Blues,” “Born Never Asked,” and “Lay Back in the Sun” hearkens back to Pierce’s days with Spacemen 3, other songs push the Spiritualized formula to new heights. Sean Cook’s harmonica on “Good Times” helps keep the song rooted in blues, even as layers of noise engulf the listener. Pure Phase is more abstract and drone-oriented than Spiritualized’s previous work, but the strongest moments still showcase Pierce’s songwriting skill. Under washes of flute and Farfisa organ, “The Slide Song” reveals one of Pierce’s most beautiful melodies, a child’s lullaby hovering in outer space. Even though it contains little more than a repeated wordless chorus from gospel choir, “Let It Flow” stands as one of the band’s most captivating, memorable moments. Pure Phase has more of an electric edge than its predecessor but Pierce’s primary goal remains the evocation of narcotic consciousness, and the album succeeds in lulling its listener into a sublime trance.