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Jason Pierce has evidently been struggling with his demons over the past few years however, it was a rare pleasure to watch him perform many of his new songs at Camden’s Koko tonight. This was the first night of his tour promoting his new album which sees the reclusive Pierce hit the road until late October playing many of the summer’s festivals including Glastonbury in June.
Pierce who has been severely ill over the past three years is releasing his rather oddly titled album “Songs from A&E” later in the month on Sanctuary/Universal records later in the month and has already released the first single off the new album, “Soul on Fire” a couple of week’s ago. Despite his unfortunate health problems it would appear that his fascination with all things pharmaceuticaly related has continued now for well over a decade. His 1997 album, “Ladies and Gentlemen we are floating in space” is in my opinion is still his finest record to date, and whilst his new effort is in the same vein (excuse the pun), is less poignant than the album which was nominated for a Mercury Award and was written at the time of his tragic breakup from his long term partner.
Pierce’s new work continues down the melancholy road however, it is never gloomy and somehow manages to be bizarrely optimistic in places. The band are pretty hard core live and I doubt that his new show would appeal to those other than hardened fans however those who are familiar with the band will be pleased to see that they are back on form again after so many set backs.
Written by John Rahim