Does anyone else like this song? I first heard it on a sad part on the movie Vanilla Sky, and of course I cried, but I since downloaded it and it's a great love song, with a depressing overtone.

I liked it an awful lot at one time: I listened to that album so much in the year that it came out that I think I've permanently burned myself out on it. I scarcely listen to it anymore.

I actually just bought Pure Phase (the album that preceded Ladies and Gentlemen...) - it's playing as I type. Quite good - a little cruder and less tuneful than the album that followed, but the right elements are all in place.

And I love Spacemen 3, the band that Jason Pierce was a member of prior to forming Spiritualized. T

I love this whole album - if you heard the title track in a movie soundtrack, do yourself a favor and get the Spiritualized album it came from. You will not be disappointed.

Though I think I had the same experience as Damosuzuki - I listened to it so much when it first came out, I totally burned myself out on it and I rarely give it a spin anymore...though since I got a digital music player, I loaded it in and it's had a second life as part of my little travelling shuffle-play jukebox.

'Ladies and Gentlemen...' is one of my favourite albums and I'd go so far as to say that I think it's one of the best records ever made. Jason Pierce had a vision for this album so strong that he bankrupted himself making it, as the record company refused to put up the funds to realise it.

Even down to the completely original packaging this album is all about medication. I love how it's packaged as a giant pill in its own foil bubble-pack, with accompanying instructions about how to take the medication, it immediately tells you what to expect: here is an album about swamping the harsh realities of life, about escaping from the day-to-day humdrum, about getting out of it to escape the pain.

The thing about this album is that it absolutely demands your full attention. You cannot put this album on the stereo and listen to it as background. You cannot have this album on as you read, play the computer, talk with your friends or housemates, cook, shag or work. It's more than just a collection of songs.

I find it an emotionally draining album taking you through the motions of pain, loss, longing, yearning, anger, frustration, bitterness, wanting, needing, itching, scratching, wailing, searching, redemptive fear-drenched cold turkey. The opening vocal says it all:

"All I want in life's a little bit of love to take the pain away
Getting strong today
Giant step each day"

When I first bought this album I was stunned by the breadth of musical styles on it - Free jazz in the middle of a garage rock record? Blues on the end of a psychedelic space-like opera? Distorted washes of sound following fuzz-noise freakouts?

I couldn't really empathise with the lyrical content if Jason Pierce was adressing his split with Kate Radley (former keyboardist and wife of Richard Ashcroft) as I had never had a long term relationship at that point in my life yet alone breaking up painfully with someone. Yet what stunned me was playing 'Broken Heart' to my Nan. She was in tears, sobbing her heart out. Even now, I find it hard to listen to it after breaking up with girlfriends as this record reminds me of them. A truly powerful record.

No one who's ever been in love, who's ever been hurt, who's ever lost someone they hold dear, who's got a heart, who's ever had their breakfast out of a bottle, can listen to this album without getting teary at least once.

I don't think it's an album that you could listen to everyday and indeed I don't. Perhaps it's not one that you would put on when your friends come back after the pub for a smoke. Perhaps it's not one that you have the energy to listen through more than once a year, even. But when you need the medication, you know where it is. This album loves me and I love it.

Oh my gosh - the Chemical Brothers' remix of 'I Think I'm In Love'. It's just outstanding.

I love this album too. 'Broken Heart' is so lovely.

JDINTERACTIVE said:

JD, I think I have to get this album after reading that...