Spirit – Clear

Spirit – Clear

Clear is the third studio album from Spirit, the pioneering Los Angeles rock band known for blending psychedelic rock with jazz, progressive experimentation, blues and melodic pop. Originally released in 1969 on Ode Records, the album finds the classic Spirit line-up exploring a more eclectic and experimental sound while retaining the inventive musicianship that had made their earlier records so distinctive.

Following the success of The Family That Plays Together and the group's breakthrough single I Got A Line On You, Spirit returned to the studio with producer Lou Adler for Clear. The album arrived during an incredibly productive period for the band, following extensive touring and work on the soundtrack to the 1968 film Model Shop. Some of the material developed from those soundtrack sessions eventually found its way onto Clear, helping explain the record's unusually varied mixture of full-band rock songs and instrumental pieces.

The album opens in explosive fashion with Dark Eyed Woman, one of Spirit's hardest-rocking performances. Built around Randy California's bluesy guitar riffs, the track combines heavy guitar, Latin-influenced percussion and atmospheric effects, making it an immediate highlight.

Apple Orchard follows with chiming Hammond organ and a more melodic psychedelic character, while So Little Time To Fly brings a lighter, more reflective mood. Ground Hog and Cold Wind continue the album's blues-rock influence before Policeman's Ball closes Side A with another distinctive piece of late-60s psychedelic songwriting.

Side B moves further into Spirit's experimental territory. The five-minute Ice and Give A Life, Take A Life showcase the band's jazz-rock tendencies, while the playful I'm Truckin' provides a lighter contrast. The instrumental Clear and the atmospheric Caught further demonstrate the group's willingness to step outside conventional rock structures.

The album concludes with New Dope In Town, a strong closing track that combines Spirit's jazz-influenced playing with a memorable melodic hook. Across the record, the band's ability to move between psychedelic rock, blues, jazz-rock, experimental instrumentation and pop songwriting makes Clear a particularly interesting document of the rapidly changing musical landscape of 1969.

Although Clear is sometimes overshadowed by Spirit's more celebrated releases, particularly The Family That Plays Together and Twelve Dreams Of Dr. Sardonicus, it remains an important part of the band's classic period. Contemporary and retrospective reviews have highlighted both its uneven nature and its moments of brilliance, particularly the powerful opening track Dark Eyed Woman.

For collectors of Spirit vinyl, 1960s psychedelic rock, progressive rock and experimental jazz-rock, Clear is a fascinating addition to any collection. It's particularly recommended for fans of The Doors, Jefferson Airplane, Traffic, Soft Machine and early progressive rock.

A wonderfully eclectic late-60s album, Clear captures Spirit at a point where psychedelic rock was beginning to evolve into something heavier, more experimental and increasingly progressive.

Tracklist

Side A

1. Dark Eyed Woman – 3:06
2. Apple Orchard – 4:05
3. So Little Time To Fly – 2:45
4. Ground Hog – 3:01
5. Cold Wind – 3:20
6. Policeman's Ball – 2:18

Side B

1. Ice – 5:53
2. Give A Life, Take A Life – 3:25
3. I'm Truckin' – 2:24
4. Clear – 4:08
5. Caught – 3:10
6. New Dope In Town – 4:24