As Spirit evolved from the band that included Mark Andes, John Locke, and Jay Ferguson, becoming rock roll fragments -- Ferguson to Jo Jo Gunne, Randy California creating a new persona in Kapt. Kopter (first found on his 1972 solo disc), and Al and Chris Staehely joining Locke and Ed Cassidy that same year for the Feedback album -- it was a toss-up as to what combination of musicians would carry on the fight. Eventually Randy California and his stepfather, Ed Cassidy, became the touring Spirit who kept the tradition alive until California's untimely passing in 1997. The strengths and the weaknesses of creative freedom are evident on Potatoland: Adventures of Kaptain Kopter Commander Cassidy in Potato Land, a concept album with a theme that is far removed from the intuitive cool that was The Twelve Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus. The material by California and drummer Cassidy is somewhat tremendous -- Open Up Your Heart has wonderful Beach Boys/Beatles harmonies, elegant playing, and a trippy melody. The production is also first-rate. The problem with the album is not the recording -- with engineering by Mike Stone, Robert Lee, and others -- but the potato thread, a science fiction story with comic strip accompaniment in the 16-page booklet describing a land where potato people are led off to slaughter. One wonders if California's guru inspired him (allegedly, the same guru Michael Jackson went to) or if minds were being altered to get to this line of thought. George Romero utilized a similar political commentary to better effect in the film #Dawn of the Dead, where the zombies were his vision of mankind. California likens his audience to a bunch of potatoes to be fried, and the concept is hokey at best.

1		We've Got a Lot to Learn
2		Potatoland Theme
3		Open Up Your Heart
4		Morning Light
5		Potatoland Prelude
6		Potatoland Introduction
7		Turn to the Right
8		Donut House
9		Fish Fry Road
10		Information
11		My Friend

	Like us on Facebook
	@SoundHound	Follow