Amazing Grace (album)

Infobox Album |
Name = Amazing Grace
Type = Album
Artist = Spiritualized


Released = September 8, 2003
Recorded =
Genre = Rock
Length = 42:49
Label = Dedicated
Producer = J. Spaceman
Reviews = * Allmusic Rating|3.5|5 [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:jxfixqqaldfe link]
* Pitchfork Media (6.2/10) [http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/21968-amazing-grace link]
*"Rolling Stone" Rating|2|5 [http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/spiritualized/albums/album/291612/review/5944509/amazing_grace link]
* Stylus Magazine A- [http://www.stylusmagazine.com/reviews/spiritualized/amazing-grace.htm link]
Last album = ""
(2003)
This album = "Amazing Grace"
(2003)
Next album = ""
(2004)

"Amazing Grace" is the fifth album by the British rock band Spiritualized, so named to indicate its considerable gospel influence. Although the title hymn does not appear on the album (Spiritualized have covered it previously, and released a free-jazz version as a b-side in 2001, and also on Complete Works Vol. 2), the ballad "Hold On" is based upon the same melody, and the opening track "This Little Life Of Mine" is clearly indebted to the spiritual "This Little Light Of Mine".

After working with free-jazz collective Spring Heel Jack on one of their albums and tour, Jason was inspired to make a record with the same principles. His approach meant that the rest of Spiritualized was given the songs on the same day as they were recorded, meaning the record (including orchestral overdubs) was completed in 3 weeks. This is a huge difference compared to its predecessor, Let It Come Down, which took four years to record.

The album is generally harder-edged than its predecessors, featuring a number of variations on the familiar Spiritualized "Electricity" garage-rock riff. Conversely, "The Ballad of Richie Lee" is a tender, organ-driven tribute to the lead singer of the American group Acetone, a friend of frontman Jason Pierce, who committed suicide in 2001.

Two singles were released, "She Kissed Me (It Felt Like a Hit)" and "Cheapster." The former song's title is a reference to the song "He Hit Me (It Felt Like A Kiss)" by the 1960s girl group The Crystals.

The world tour following the albums release culminated in a headline slot on The Other Stage at Glastonbury 2004 and a support slot for Primal Scream at
Brixton Academy, for the Hoping Foundation charity concert, later released on DVD.

Track listing

#"This Little Life of Mine" – 4:00
#"She Kissed Me (It Felt Like a Hit)" – 3:27
#"Hold On" – 3:54
#"Oh Baby" – 4:10
#"Never Goin' Back" – 2:53
#"The Power and the Glory" – 4:30
#"Lord Let It Rain on Me" – 3:42
#"The Ballad of Richie Lee" – 3:25
#"Cheapster" – 2:39
#"Rated X" – 5:19
#"Lay It Down Slow" – 5:00