Spiritualized Lazer Guided Melodies Half-Speed Mastered 180g 45rpm 2LP

Analog Planet Rated 8/11 Music, 9/11 Sonics!

Lazer Guided Melodies is the debut studio album by English space rock band Spiritualized. The album was recorded by the inaugural line up of the band, consisting of Jason Pierce (vocals, guitars), Mark Refoy (guitars), Will Carruthers (bass), Jonny Mattock (drums) and Kate Radley (keyboards) from 1990 to 1991, and mixed by Pierce in London in January 1992.

Originally released on March 30, 1992, The Spaceman Reissue Program edition of Lazer Guided Melodies promises to give those recordings the fullest spectrum audio and physical treatment they've deserved since 1992. It will be the first in this series of 180g double albums mastered from a half speed lacquer cut from original sources by Alchemy Mastering, presented in a gatefold jacket adorned by reworked art by Mark Farrow.

The artwork for this special edition features new photographs of the model figures made for the original album artwork. The figures were made by Gavin Lindsay, based on a drawing by Mr Ugly (Nicholas Brooker).

The group's seminal debut album is aptly titled: The melodies shimmer and drone and hum like otherworldly pop tunes, and Radley and Pierce's vocals hover gently in the mix. One of the premier dream pop albums, Lazer Guided Melodies is both beautiful and innovative.

The sound quality is exquisite; the mastering is tonally well-balanced (though a bit lacking in the low bass range), and the imaging is immersive with precise solidity. Loud sections have plenty of instrument separation, the drums have satisfying depth, and the guitars have appropriate bite. I haven't heard the other pressings, but this is without a doubt better than the (likely CD-sourced) Plain Recordings reissue, and I can't imagine the expensive Dedicated UK/EU original beating this new one (though some copies of the original include a bonus 7" not yet reissued)... For $30, you can't go wrong; this audiophile-grade reissue is essential for any large, well-rounded record collection.