|
|
 |
|
|
| The final album by experimental pop/rock band Spirit's original lineup is arguably their best. Combining their most melodic collection of songs with the harmonically rich and uncharacteristically detail-oriented production of David Briggs (Neil Young, Alice Cooper) the group disbanded on a high note and closed out the original era of west-coast experimental psych-rock. So, while it lacks the out-from-left-field impact of their quirky, raw debut, I think Dr. Sardonicus is nevertheless Spirit's most sophisticated and quintessential work product. The title and cover art would suggest that this is a concept album; it isn't, at least as far as I can tell. Other than the eclectic nature of the music and the fact that several of the tracks run together (suggestive of "dreaming," I guess), there is no overriding concept or story that unifies these songs. The record spawned the minor hit "Nature's Way" and probably should have had others – "Animal Zoo," "Mr. Skin" and "Morning Will Come" have a catchy, rollicking zest to them and they suitably capture the carefree vibe of the era. The other tracks are generally artier and exhibit the sort of creative (yet always accessible) musical crossbreeding that Spirit was known for. "Love Has Found a Way" uses a backwards rhythm track and the nice addition of a vibraphone contributes to its tripped-out feel. "Why Can't I Be Free" has an arresting, wheezy ambience to it that prevents the one-minute song from being a throwaway. "Space Child" is a jazzy, psychedelic instrumental that sounds like Steely Dan might have, had they come up in late '60s California. "Street Worm" finishes with a solo that guitarist Randy California (a versatile, accomplished player) described in the liner notes as being inspired by John Coltrane improvisations. All four albums by Spirit's original line-up were remastered in the mid-1990s (the first three in their first CD issue) and really sound excellent, especially considering how old they are. A southern California oddity that slipped through the cracks in their day, Spirit is now a band ripe for rediscovery. review by Matt P. — 2-16-05 —
|
|
|
|
|
