Search - Spacemen 3 :: Singles

A supreme introduction to this phenomenal, intensely psyched

Dave | United States | 01/26/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Packed to the brim with over 79 minutes of material, this "Singles" disc brings together Spacemen 3's three 12-inch vinyl singles that originally came out on Glass Records--first is the 3-song "Walkin' With Jesus" from November of 1986; second is the 5-track "Transparent Radiation" from July of '87; and last is the 3-track "Take Me To The Other Side" from July of '88.



This disc ends up being a blessing both for diehard fans, and for newcomers looking for an introduction to this seminal, intensely psychedelic band dominated by Sonic Boom and future Spiritualized leader Jason Pierce. Taken as a whole, this CD does an excellent job at demonstrating what the band was all about, containing such gems as the stomping, grinding rocker "Walkin' With Jesus (Sound of Confusion)"; the chillingly powerful, doom-laden cover of the 13th Floor Elevators' "Rollercoaster"; the gutsy, wah-wah guitar-soaked "Things'll Never Be The Same"; the surging rocker "Take Me To The Other Side"; the frenetic 11+ minute instrumental cover of MC5's "Starship"; the full-length version of the compellingly dreamy, violin-laced near-instrumental "Ecstasy Symphony".



In order to be able to fit all three of these singles/ EPs onto one disc, about 3 & 1/2 minutes of the lengthy instrumental section on the 17+ minute version of "Rollercoaster" have been removed, which is entirely respectable and actually makes the track a bit more manageable.



On the relative downside, the last couple tracks on the disc ("Soul 1" and "That's Just Fine"), both of which are instrumentals, aren't that great--they're kind of dull and insubstantial despite Jason's fine lead guitarwork.



Certainly, this disc doesn't offer you even close to everything that you need from Spacemen 3. There's nothing at all from the "Playing With Fire" album, and also nothing from their most 'polished' and pop-oriented album "Recurring". Still though, with so much spellbinding music, this "Singles" disc is a treasure trove for any serious music listener."

Dont wear a scarf but I like them anyway

musicburgler | DC | 12/12/2001

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Have to disagree about Spacemen 3 being boring. Seeing that this is a CD of singles and not an album its hard to say this is a good way to hear them. PLAYING WITH FIRE or PERFECT PRESCRIPTION are the ones to get. and most of the songs arent one chord they are 2 or 3. Drugs...Rugs? thats not the point and dont matter.Minimal soothing songs that are catchy in my opinion DRONE ON!!"