Spiritualized's Jason Pierce nearly died while making 'Songs In A&E,' his band's first studio album in five years. But despite being hospitalized with a lengthy and serious bout with pneumonia, the man that also operates under the nom de rock "J. Spaceman," says the experience didn't really have a profound effect on his life or his music.

"I'd be lying if I said it made me want to get out of bed earlier," Pierce tells Spinner. "I haven't really been able to write about it yet. Which is almost disappointing." Ironically, the new album, which is focuses on themes of death and loss, was written and largely recorded before his hospitalization.

"The most harrowing thing for me is to have to listen to this thing again after what I went through," Pierce admits. "The songs were written more from a point of pride, like you have to face these things. It's almost like life isn't worth living unless death is around, and unless you brush up against it and have these kinds of encounters."

The album's lead single, 'Soul on Fire,' a song written by Daniel Johnston, is one of three torch songs. 'Songs In A&E' also boasts 'Sitting On Fire' and 'I Gotta Fire.' When quizzed on it, Pierce laughs, "I just can't fight these things. All these songs have 'fire' in them. F---! Can't I think of another word? And then, they all arrive next to each other on the album. So its not like I'm trying to mask anything."

Although Spiritualized has performed as a largely acoustic and orchestrated ensemble for the past year-and-a-half, the band put that approach on ice after their Coachella performance a few weeks back. "It's really, really special when it works," he says. "But it was appalling because we were competing with two dance tents. But it may be good that the last show wasn't so great, because we're plugging into the wall now."

For Spiritualized fans, the band's electrifying return makes perfect sense. After all, Creation Records founder Alan McGee -- who put out records by My Bloody Valentine, Ride and Oasis -- said Sir Spaceman was as important to culture as Neil Young. Responding to such weighty praise, Pierce says, "I can't even comment on that. It's really humbling."