Twelve Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus

The only thing I know about Spirit going in is that Led Zeppelin ripped off Taurus. This whole album will be a surprise. Ok so maybe it was not so much of a surprise. It sounds like any number of bands of this kind from the time. It could be The Band, Country Joe & the Fish, CS&N, Humble Pie, etc. etc. I don't know what else to say. It's ok but very dated sounding in a generic sort of way. 2.5/5 rounding down.

I always dread 70's blues rock coming up on this list not because I dislike them, but because I feel like theres nothing interesting to say about the records? Like this album is fine. 3/5 for me, but I just don't really got much to say.

It's a little more interesting a listen than most psychedelic/blues rock, got some more interesting stuff going on, but still can't really point anything out.

Really only thing I can say is this band sounds at their best when they're more in a folk rock mode as opposed to blues or psychedelic rock.

Also, is this just the band that everyone and their mom rips off? I know of the Taurus/Stairway allegations, but Jesus, so much of this album sounds like later music I've heard. Like Animal Zoo I feel sounds like Steal My Sunshine by Len. They're definitely not the same, but they're similarish, lol.

This is prog? This was fine, like a milder Led Zeppelin or something. 3*

An album I’ve never heard of from a band that I have never heard of. This was a pleasant surprise. Upon further research I now know this is the group Jimmy Page stole stairway from. This album was really great. Reminded me of The Kinks and XTC. Favorite songs were Nature’s Way, Animal Zoo, Mr. Skin, and Street Worm.

Never listened to this band before, but didn't dislike it. Actually, I kind of think I liked a lot of it. I'll need to listen to this one again to be sure.

This was such an unexpected 5 star!

Going in to this I thought oh here we go again another 70s album. But there was something about this that just stood out? I'd never even heard of Spirit!

Very good songs, I really enjoyed it!

5 ⭐️

Psychedelic prog is my weak spot. This is really amazing. Love the vocal harmonies and the eclectic mix of styles.

Honestly this seems more like a collection of tracks, than a cohesive album. That means a lack of direction, but it also means that there's a ton of variety, and no stretch of tracks really outstay their welcome.
I think this list has more psychedelic rock than could be called essential, but this is one of the better offerings.

An almost progressive approach to bluesy/psych rock yields a lot a variety and very few, if any, dull moments.

4.0/5.0: Great

2.5

Interesting tidbit if information about Spirit.... Listen to their song Taurus, then listen to the opening of Stairway to Heaven by Zeppelin. There are definately some similarities there. Randy California, the guitarist of Spirit, never sued during his lifetime, but his estate later did after he died. They lost the case, but Jimmy Page definately drew inspiration from that song for his riff in Stairway I'd say. Also, Spirit toured quite a bit with Zeppelin I guess, but never really broke through to the mainstream.

Favourite songs: Morning Will Come, Street Worm, Nature's Way, When I Touch You, Rougher Road, Mr. Skin, Prelude-Nothing to Hide, Red Light Roll On

Least favourite songs: Love Has Found a Way

3/5

This had a much more soulful sound than I expected, and was lighter on its feet than I assumed. The album art and pretentious title didn't excite me, but the instrumentation is often creative and the songs have a sweetness to them. Unfortunately, the lyrics are frequently wanting, and overall there is something unrealized, which other LA groups at the time, like The Doors and Love, didn't suffer from. I'll give it a 4, tho, considering their influence on subsequent artists - again, Americans got there first (sorry Zeppelin...).

I will not be factoring in the bonus tracks included with the 1996 reissue for this review.

I've heard of the band Spirit for their biggest single, "I Got a Line on You," though that came from their second album. Instead, we have their fourth album, Twelve Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus. Based on my prior experience, I figured we were getting a straightforward 70s hard rock record, and it started in that manner from "Prelude—Nothin' to Hide" through "Animal Zoo." Then the album got weird.

The backmasked instrumentation transitioning into a xylophone piece on "Love Has Found a Way" marked this album's ventures into psychedelia and I was here for it. The experimentation continued with the funky horn arrangements on "Mr. Skin" and "Morning Will Come", the ethereal instrumental "Space Child" with the guitar delay effects, sprawling synthesizers, and commanding piano lines, and the buildup into "When I Touch You" with that reverbed guitar hook. When this album cooks in its progressive compositions and songwriting, it cooks. What connects these tracks are Randy California's excellent guitar work, Jay Ferguson's jazz-influenced vocal lead with occasional harmonized vocals, and John Locke's superb piano play.

Call me genuinely surprised by Twelve Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus. It might not be the most mind-blowing experience given that it's still indebted to 70's progressive rock styling and limitations, but it showcased a lot more to this band than a simple hard rock love song ever could. Give it a shot.

You could almost add "ualized" at the end of the band name, and it would be much the same. Not a bad thing at all: this is adventurous, epic, noodley fun. Which is also how I refer to sex.

Twelve Dreams Of Dr. Sardonicus was definitely a really unique album on this list. The first three songs of the album may sound like your typical late 60s, early 70s rock album but when track 4 kicks in, that's when things really start to get crazy. Most of the songs at this point seem to be more like drug trips as they all have parts that i never expected to come next and always subvert my expectations. And this is what i like about this album. I enjoyed the erratic nature of these songs and there is the fact that the majority of them did manage to sound good regardless of how weird they were. This is a pretty solid addition to the list.
Best Song: When I Touch You
Worst Song: Why Can't I Be Free

Dude this album kicks so much ass. Huge yacht/classic rock vibes.

Always enjoyed this one since I found it, a lot of variety from song to song but that's part of what makes it fun to listen to.

Listen #1: My first Spirit album and I’m definitely impressed. Strong vocals and nice musical diversity. Will definitely be returning to this one.

Listen #2: On second listen, it didn't hit quite as hard; I'm not sure if I'm totally sold on the songwriting overall, and it struck me as just a bit style over substance, although I really like the general sounds and styles. I'm still landing at a pretty high 3.5 stars, mainly on the strength of Jay Ferguson's vocals and solid production. Perhaps I'll come even more back around on it on my next listen.

3.5/5

This album holds a special place in my heart ever since my mom gifted a CD to me out of the blue many years ago. Silly hippy shit!

Not bad but not impressive either.