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THE REVIEW
Playing with fire: that's what the three space men have always done. Taking inspiration from the noise-pop of the Jesus And Mary Chain, they have coined their very own language, made of impenetrable guitar walls, floating sounds, and songs of two or three chords repeated endlessly.
Reaching mystical trance through noise: this has been their mission. "Playing With Fire" is probably their masterpiece, the album that definitively consecrated their style. The opening track "Honey", a very sweet but at the same time distorted psychedelic serenade, immediately captivates the listener into a parallel, visionary world, immersed in a dream. It continues with "Come Down Softly To My Soul", a delicate reverb-laden guitar riff accompanied by a soft whisper; "How Does It Feel" is pure trance; "I Believe It", or the light of paradise seen by a completely wasted heroin addict: a gospel in slow motion, to be clear; "Revolution", the most violent and noisy track, as the name promises: a garage rhythm leading to a final explosion; "Let Me Down Gently": here we reach total minimalism: the atmosphere is sinister, accompanied by a bored bass and a church organ, the music unfolds in a stream of consciousness leading to the final catharsis, without ever exploding. "So Hot", the shortest piece built on only two chords, brings to mind certain psychedelic folk from the 60s; "Suicide": eleven minutes of delirium, of guitar walls that bring to mind narcotized MC5, finally here noise reigns supreme, the guitar engages in a heated dialogue with a pulsating organ. It closes with the very tender prayer of "Lord Can You Hear Me?", a simple guitar riff and a stoned gospel choir invoking the Lord.
And if there were a Lord, He could not remain indifferent to such beauty.
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Summary by Bot
Playing With Fire is Spacemen 3’s defining album, showcasing their signature blend of noise-pop and trance-inducing psychedelia. Inspired by Jesus And Mary Chain, the album features minimalist yet powerful guitar-driven songs that evoke deep moods and visions. Each track contributes uniquely, from the tender opening 'Honey' to the chaotic near eleven-minute finale 'Suicide.' This is widely regarded as their masterpiece, fully capturing their mystical and minimalistic style.Tracklist Lyrics Videos
Spacemen 3
Spacemen 3 were an English psychedelic rock band from Rugby, noted for minimalist, repetitive songs, heavy feedback, and trance-like live performances. Central figures Jason Pierce and Pete “Sonic Boom” Kember later pursued separate projects, including Spiritualized and Spectrum.23 Reviews
Other reviews
By R13557436
Time will start to stop, you will be time...
And then... someone new will enter your room to bother you again. But meanwhile, you have enjoyed a moment of purity.
By Cervovolante
"Playing With Fire is not just an album; it is a fiery sound spaceship, a portal to an experience that unfolds in a vortex of distorted sound perceptions."
"This experience manifests as a dreamlike journey, a sonic odyssey that twists through the folds of reality, boldly challenging earthly musical laws."
