Spirit

Twelve Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus, released in 1970, is the high water mark of Spirit's mostly overlooked catalog. Known these days only for the lone, somewhat goofy '60s hit "I Got a Line on You," Spirit (and especially the inventiveness of this particular album) will be a welcome discovery to many classic rock fans. Non-believers are directed to "Space Child."

Any illusions that might still be clung to along the order of Spirit's being an Epic house organ
anthropomorphization-of-eclecticism shuck, complete with baldpated, cerebral - looking
leftover from the bongo drums and black beret era, should be flushed down the old
metaphysical crapper as quickly as one would dispose of just so much Nathan's &#174
chicken chow mein sandwich puke, because this here Twelve Dreams of Dr. Sar... More >

Both Randy California and the band have their own cool, rich, jazzy style--a genuine achievement, but that doesn't mean you have to like it. They play better than they write, and since they still play songs, that's a problem. A worse problem is that the lyrics are rarely as cerebral as the music. "Nature's Way," for instance, sounds as if it ought to be sardonicus, but though I'm intrigued by the suggestion that it's about death I still think it's a slightly inarticulate ecology song. Could be covered by Peter, Paul & Mary--who also have their own style. (Grade - B)