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 ® chicken chow mein sandwich puke, because this here...

This is a most uncommon album, one that defies some recent fashions. It's not a frontal assault an the ear drums, and it's not a Return to Rock and Roll. These musicians use their chops in the most imaginative way possible, yet they don't let the experimental tail wag the rocking dog. They steer a middle course between Art Rock pretentions and Hard Rock Philistinism. If Rock is to progress, and...

Since Jay Ferguson and Mark Andes left to play uninterrupted diluted Leon Russell boogie-isms with Jo Jo Gunne and Randy California (apparently) retired, the remaining members of the original Spirit have recruited two brothers, J. Christian and Al Staehely, to write, sing, and play guitar and bass. If Feedback is an accurate indication of their talents, it's doubtful that these two new copilots...

The second Spirit album, like the first, is a wide-ranging exploration of the rock universe. Jazz, classical, country, blues and plain old rock all contribute to Spirit's sound. The group has matured since their first album. They now play with a lot more confidence, and are a lot less inclined to be cerebral. With less notes, they say more. And a good year on the road has turned Jay Ferguson, the...