Formed in 1982, Rugby, Warwickshire's Spacemen 3 consisted of Peter Kember, Jason Pierce, and a rotating line-up of members. The band's experimental, neo-psychedelic style is on full display on Playing With Fire, originally released in 1988, with colorful guitar explorations, over-amplified synths, clashing harmonic overtones, and wistful melodies creating drony, drugged-out soundscapes. Spacemen 3 would break up a few years later, and the two principals would go on to find success w/ other projects (Sonic Boom/Spectrum and Spiritualized), but the group maintains a cult following, and songs like "Honey," "How does It Feel?," "Revolution," "Lord Can You Hear Me?" and "Suicide" are telling of why.

comes with download card

notes by Marc Masters

music label: Superior Viaduct 1988 / 2018

reviewed by rei kwondo 05/18