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Lupine Howl: 125
BY MEREDITH LEVINE
By the time Spiritualized appeared at the Royal Albert Hall in the fall of 1997, its brand of rock-psychedelia and melodic trip pop was applauded by long-haired rockers and glowstick-brandishing ravers alike. Its fans' ecstasy was cut short, however, by internal problems that evolved from relentless touring and financial conflicts. In the summer of 1999, much to the dismay of its supporters, the psychedelic pop powerhouse led by Jason Pierce underwent serious transformations.
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Fear not, fans of Spiritualized. Former members Sean Cook (bass), Mike Mooney (guitar), and Damon Reece (drums) have reunited in the form of Lupine Howl, and with the release of their American debut, 125, they hope to reclaim and expand their former fan base. The three had discussed breaking away from Spiritualized and forming their own group as far back as the now-famous Albert Hall visit, but only began actively working on new material once they were "let go" by Pierce. Recorded during 1999 (save a short time helping Massive Attack in the studio), 125 channels the psychedelic pulse that characterized the trio's old group while tapping into a more eclectic sound. For the most part, the combination is successful.
A strong guitar frenzy surrounds Cook's frustrated vocals on the opening track, "125," as Lupine Howl adopts a sound that recalls the rock-pop sensibility of fellow Brits the Stone Roses and the Charlatans. "Vaporizer"—its debut single in the UK—bounces along, incorporating soul and funk grooves. "Brozage" is an explosion of hard rock vignettes with a strong ebb and flow of sweet harmonies, and "Voodoo Raygun" is smooth and slow. These four tracks are the strongest on the seven-song record.
Lupine Wolf is most successful when picking up on the psychedelic trip of its former band. But the chimes à la "Dreamweaver" in the grating ballad "Tired," the sleep-inducing, spaced-out "Swell," and the instrumental jumble of "Mexican Cantina" are disappointing. While Spiritualized displayed a mastery of atmospheric melodies in songs like "Ladies and Gentleman We Are Floating in Space," Lupine Howl is still in the developmental stage. 125 whispers at what may be to come, but it isn't all there just yet. (Beggars' Banquet)
All materials © 2001 The Yale Herald, Inc., and its staff.
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