CLEAR

Clear Spirit is an improvement over Spirit's previous effort. These guys still knew how to write a sure-fire top-40 hit single, which would again be the opening track -- Dark Eyed Woman -- with a screaming Randy California guitar solo. From there we go on a trip into what is by now familiar Sprit territory. For the most part, this consists of good enough music but there is no clear direction. However, on this album the songwriting is more consistent, and a few of the songs are mini-masterpieces (Ice, Clear). The bonus tracks include Coral and 1984, a first-rate, menacing rocker that is one of Spirit's finest songs.