In 1997, Spiritualized and Radiohead were locked in a duel of musical ambition. OK Computer earned more acclaim, but Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating in Space is actually the better album—a glorious attempt by Spiritualized leader Jason Pierce to reconcile his breakup with keyboardist Kate Radley. Since then, Radiohead has gone on to make music even more challenging and adventurous—intellectually, at least—while Pierce, basically a solo artist with a revolving cast of hired hands, continues to ply orchestral pop and minimalist drones very similar to those he’s already produced. True, Pierce has an uncanny knack for gorgeous melodies, and he adds interesting touches to many of the 11 songs on Amazing Grace--pedal-steel guitar, gospel choirs, and trumpets that curl like cigarette smoke disappearing into the midnight air. But without the thematic heft of Lades and Gentlemen its best moments are exactly that—bursts of inspiration scattered among an album finds Pierce caught in a seemingly endless loop of his own making. It may still sound beautiful, but too often Amazing Grace comes off as mere formula. --Keith Moerer
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