Clear (W/2 Prev Unrel Tracks) [Original recording remastered]

I've had this album since 1995. At first, it didn't move me, but I couldn't get the songs out of my head. I was compelled to keep playing it, and have taken it out at least once a month since 1995. I can't say that about many of my albums, of which I have 1000s. It is a very fine, but very strange record.

The first half of Clear is covered of hard-rock numbers, like "Dark-Eyed Woman" and "Groundhog Day." These songs blare with Hendrix-tinged leads, but they have time changes and keyboard solos that add a very sophisticated polish to the tunes. Everything is extremely well thought out. Every song's dynamics unearth themselves with repated listens; there are layers and layers of sound here.

The second half is mainly covered by spacy interludes and jazzy improvosations. There are some nice sounds here, but only "Ice," the musical equivlant of a mountinside in the middle of the night, is fully realized.

Clear overall carries a very strange aura: the electric panio and some of the lyrics make this album a clear product of 1969. You can picture it blasting out of hippie dorm rooms or suburban key parties. Yet structually, it holds up quite well, and is a very, very enjoyable listen on strictly musical terms. It is of its time, yet nothing from the era can be directly compared to Clear.

All of which is part of its appeal. Clear is not a good first listen, because the most interesting parts of this music are buried deep within the music, and because listeners will have initial trouble with Spirt's strange musical cross-breeds. But stick with it, and this album will be a fantatic standby for years and years to come.

I've been a big Spirit fan since I was a kid, as I remember my older brother spinning "The Family That Plays Together" (their 2nd LP - yes, I said "LP") when it was released back in 1968. I was immediately amazed by this band's unique sound - believe me when I say this is one group that had few peers...they were years ahead of most of the music scene back then...and, as far as I'm concerned, light years ahead of the music scene today (yet, somehow, they remain sadly kind of obscure in the musical scheme of things - almost like a rare gem, hiding out and waiting to be discovered - again! Except for those of us who have always treasured their important, barrier-breaking contributions to rock & roll). Eclectic, melodic, original, whimsical, thought-provoking...these are just a few words to describe the myriad of colors Spirit sound-painted with. I chose "Clear" to review because (much to my own astonishment) I finally discovered this album within the last year, having sustained myself for (3) decades + on the aforementioned "Family" and the brilliant "12 Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus" (which in and of itself might give you an idea of the staying power of their work - I unearthed their eponymous debut LP about a decade ago). Anyway, this album is just as brilliant as the other three - a new adventure, a departure, yet completely familiar to any fan of Spirit's catalogue of music. CD remastering has definitely improved the listening experience, as much of the "quieter" sections of tunes can be appreciated without the clicks & pops of vinyl LP's (sorry vinyl, I do still love ya). Check out rockers like "Dark Eyed Woman", "Ground Hog" or "I'm Truckin'" and then simmer down with beautiful, almost tearful melodies like "Give A Life, Take A Life" and moody, provocative instrumentals like "Ice" & the title track...you'll be blown away! Bonus cuts are excellent too... "Fuller Brush Man" is sheer whit & genius! I believe this was one band that recorded lots more material than they ever released, so we can only hope for more magic from the vaults of Spririt. Also, after listening to any of their first (4) LP's (with all five original members), you will understand why so many British prog bands of the late 60's/early 70's would site Spirit as a definitive influence. When I surf the radio waves of today, I thank the gods that bands like this once roamed the earth, and that they left an electric legacy for our modern-day rock & roll-starved souls to continuously rediscover & immerse ourselves in! PS - I can't conclude this piece without paying tribute to the late, great Randy California - an absolutely brilliant, underrated guitarist. When you consider that he was all of 18 to 20 years old when Spirit was happening, and that he played a Dan Electro guitar, no less (a cool guitar, but not a real "players" guitar -you guitarists will know what I mean), this should really serve to underscore the magnitude of his unbelieveable talent that much more! We can only (try to) wonder what it might have sounded like if Randy & Jimi had gone on to record together...

This and the other first four albums by Spirit are real musical treasures. The music is rock with a touch of jazz, much like Steely Dan. It is well written, well played and packs an emotional whollop that blow you all the way back to the 60's. The group is composed of talented musicians from a varied background. Like all great bands, they play as a cohesive musical force that is greater than the individuals that comprise it. For those of you interested in expanding your musical experience beyond the "classic rock" you hear on the radio, check out this record or "12 Dreams of Doctor Sardonicus," both extremely good albums by Spirit.