The last few years have been somewhat difficult for Jason Pierce, aka J.Spaceman, the founding member of ‘space-rock’ band Spiritualized. He was diagnosed with bilateral pneumonia in 2005 and spent time in intensive care after having only the blueprint for the band’s sixth studio album, which, due to his time in hospital, became ’Songs in A&E’ (do you get it?). However, thank the good lord, he fully recovered and has recently released ‘You Lie You Cheat’ as a single.

 It is immediately made clear that this is evidence of Pierce wanting a more simple album, and not “wanting to over-complicate things, to be wilfully strange,” as the track starts with an acoustic three-chord riff, which soon turns it into all-out fuzz-rock.  

    This is the point at which I had some doubts about the track, as this is obviously not the style which originally gained Spiritualized such critical acclaim, particularly with ‘Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating in Space.’ Also, at first, the vocals don’t seem particularly good. However, a few bars later Pierce goes up an octave and backing vocals come in and the result sounds great.  And it continues much in the same vein for the next few minutes until a big wah solo draws the track to its end.

    What I should say, then, is that this song should be taken as intended – a big, simple, balls-everywhere rock song. Although it’s not as good as the slower, multi-faceted side of the band it is still well worth a listen. Especially after all Pierce has been through. Come on, give him a break will you.

Graham Allchurch 

Posted In Single Reviews, Sep 08 2008.