It looks to me as if it may have scorched/scalded in the 90 degree + days we experienced a few weeks ago in the northeast. It would only take one...
If you look closely at the sport it is likely just Picea Glauca aka White Spruce.
I would try not watering as often. Try a good soaking every three or four days for 1-2 hours and then allow the soil to dry out a bit before...
Re: Pruning Fat Albert Spruce Realistically? Probably not. Fat Albert wants to slowly grow large. Picea pungens 'Sester Dwarf' is the plant...