Spirit - Spirit (1968)
Spirit - Spirit (1968)
Artist: Spirit
Album: Spirit
Released: 1968
Label: Epic
Genre: Prog Rock
Review:
AMG Review by Richie Unterberger :
Spirit's debut unveiled a band that seemed determine to out-eclecticize everybody else on the California psychedelic scene, with its melange of rock, jazz, blues, folk-rock, and even a bit of classical and Indian music. Teenaged Randy California immediately established a signature sound with his humming, sustain-heavy tone; middle-aged drummer Ed Cassidy gave the group unusual versatility; and the songs tackled unusual lyrical themes, like "Fresh Garbage" and "Mechanical World." As is often the case in such hybrids, the sum fell somewhat short of the parts; they could play more styles than almost any other group, but couldn't play (or, more crucially, write) as well as the top acts in any given one of those styles. There's some interesting stuff here, nonetheless; "Uncle Jack" shows some solid psych-pop instincts, and it sounds like Led Zeppelin lifted the opening guitar lines of "Taurus" for their own much more famous "Stairway to Heaven."
Tracklist:
#01 Fresh-Garbage
#02 Uncle Jack
#03 Mechanical World
#04 Taurus
#05 Girl In Your Eye
#06 Straight Arrow
#07 Topanga Windows
#08 Gramophone Man
#09 Water Woman
#10 The Great Canyon Fire In General
#11 Elijah
#12 Veruska [Bonus]
#13 Free Spirit [Bonus]
#14 If I Had A Woman [Bonus]
#15 Elijah [Alternate Take - Bonus]