Clear (1969)
The standard narrative here is that Spirit's first two albums are classics, but their 3rd was thrown together, and is a lesser (but still good) effort. Apparently the band themselves felt that way as well.
Some folks point to the use of instrumentals as proof. Yea, I mean, we wouldn't want music to get in the way of a potential smash hit. B1 is brilliant, something you would think came from an English prog album a few years later. Leading the way, of course, was King Of The Clucks critic Robert Christgau, a loathsome (in many ways) holier-than-thou creature that I point to as responsible as anyone for holding back everything I enjoyed in music, especially progressive rock and heavy metal. I remember his crappy guides from the 80s where he derided every single prog album that I liked. Can you imagine what he'd say if he'd heard the hardcore Italian ones? Oh good grief. I can only imagine the reviews from future historians that state "speaking from the era in which he lived, misguided critic Robert Christgau opined the following:" Haha. How did I get here? Oh I just saw he criticized 'Ice' as "indicative of how "incredibly empty" the band can be as well." Yep, right out of his playbook. Triggers me. The Dean of American Rock Critics - my butt.
So is it correct to say that Clear is a step down? Hmm, that's a tough one. There are a few lesser songs on here, especially on Side A (3,5,6) which is their bread and butter talent. But they also bring some crisp 1969 styled psych singles to the table. And I like the classical and jazz oriented instrumentals. I appreciate when a successful band experiments with the formula a bit, regardless of the circumstances. The Beatles made a career out of doing just that. Don't hear anyone say boo about them, now do you? Right, Christgau? Ironic he has Christ in his name, actually.
The bonus tracks include '1984' which was my introduction to Spirit way back when I was an early teen. I liked it then and I still do. I just could never figure out which album it was on. Haha. I didn't know it was a 45 only release until many years later.
Ownership: 2010 Ode Epic Legacy Europe (5xCD). Original Album Classics. Acquired in 2021.
10/22/21; 3/2/26 (review)
The Family That Plays Together (1968)
Right from the beginning you'll hear one of Spirit's classic anthems 'I've Got a Line on You', harkening back to their strong songwriting skills displayed on the debut. Released at the tail end of 1968, Spirit demonstrated they were ahead of their time (especially in the US), eschewing standard hippie fare, embracing the psychedelic with a jazzy, and even progressive rock, slant. Unlike the debut, there are no extended pieces.
As with Blue Oyster Cult, your interest in Spirit's individual albums will fall squarely on whether or not you like their songs, rather than sophisticated arrangements or highly technical solo instrumentation. I'm not too keen on A6 or B4, but otherwise I find The Family That Plays Together a pleasant listen.
I love that respected jazzer Marty Paich was involved with these guys in their early days. Clearly Ed Cassidy's influence there. As with Sabicas and Joe Beck, you don't usually see that kind of generational interaction in the early days of rock. Though Spirit were built that way from the beginning.
The five archival bonus tracks are more instrumental in nature, and mellower. They're very much in the same style as the album, especially within the jazzier spectrum (recorded near the same time). I found that any one of these would have resulted in a slight upgrade to the album proper.
Ownership: 2010 Ode Epic Legacy Europe (5xCD). Original Album Classics. Acquired in 2021.
10/24/21; 2/2/26 (review)
Spirit (1968)After the original insane lockdowns of the pandemic, the magnanimous government of Colorado "let us" have a bit of our freedom back. So glad we live in a free country. A teaser of the communism to come I guess. Hey, it wasn't safe. Ya-huh. In any case, as soon as I could go to estate sales and thrift shops, I did. With my stupid mask on.
I bring this up on the Spirit post, because for whatever reason, the first LPs I was finding right away were from them. Most not in the best shape. A year later (still under some sort of edict), I found the five CD Original Album Classics series, and I sold off the LPs, and that was the end of my initial Spirit exploration.
Except I didn't document any of those listens, beyond some brief notes for Clear. The exception to my Spirit renaissance was the first album, as I'd randomly picked up their CD some 15 years earlier. I'll start here and also review the others in the coming weeks.
I consider Spirit a highly unique band. They didn't rely on instrumental prowess, or any other crutch, to hide their inability to write a song. And that was their strength - an innate ability to craft melodies. And they were strong arrangers. So, yes, perhaps 'Taurus' being the most famous with a chord progression most known as 'Stairway to Heaven'. I'm one to give Zep a break here, as they most certainly fleshed it out much further, and only one central theme is familiar. Best guess it was a subconscious event rather than purposeful deceit. If one is to call out an instrumentalist, it most certainly would be the guitar of Randy California. And really love his acidic tone when employed.
There's elements of psych, jazz, and early prog concepts. The Beatles songcraft is also apparent at times. The exception to the tightly woven songs is the lengthy album closer 'Elijah" that shows the band were comfortable with instrumental jamming as well. Here, the flow recalls the Doors a bit. Or vice-versa.
The bonus tracks, on the other hand, seem to refute my claim about them being songwriters first, and jammers second. Really enjoy this side of Spirit as well. I hear these bonus tracks as essential to the overall experience.
Ownership:
1996 Ode Epic Legacy (CD). Booklet with full historical liner notes and four bonus tracks. Acquired in 2005.
2010 Ode Epic Legacy Europe (5xCD). I only kept the original Legacy CD for the liner notes, and that it possesses little value. Otherwise, the bonus tracks from all the CDs are here too. Acquired in 2021.
2005 (first listen); 2/18/18; 1/27/26 (review)
Will be reviewing albums 3 through 5 in the coming weeks.
1/27/26 (new entry)
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