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.
The music, however, is for the most part exemplary: at times a terrific listening experience resplendent in
Randy California's trademark guitar-oriented
pop.
Spirit needed a bit of discipline and direction at this juncture; the zany nature of
California's Kaptain Kopter and potato obsessions inhibiting this stellar music from reaching a wider audience. Non
California/
Cassidy material -- like the instrumental "Potatoland Prelude" colliding with
Michael Lee and
Robert Lee's "Potatoland Introduction" -- is just plain overbearing, and takes away from "Morning Light" and "Turn to the Right," more 1973
California/
Cassidy material on this release. It is actually the follow-up music to the Epic solo disc Kapt. Kopter & The (Fabulous) Twirly Birds, released on the German Line label after languishing in the vaults for eight years. "Information" opens with dialogue à la
Tommy James' A Night in Big City, another disc whose beauty was marred by an incredibly weak concept album script in between the songs. Unfortunately, "Information" can't be blamed on the co-conspirators here:
Mike Bunnell,
Michael Lee, and
Robert Lee;
California and
Cassidy have to take the blame for diluting otherwise superior material with "Donut House" and "Fish Fry Road," unnecessary titles which could have been
Spirit staples had the lyrics shown more insight. Indeed, "Fish Fry Road" concludes with a bit of "Nature's Way," which is a travesty, taking the gem from Sardonicus and infusing it here. But it is countered with the genius of this album, the brilliant
power pop of "My Friend," which concludes the disc, and the superb opening track, all the elements which could have made for the Sardonicus sequel
California was searching his soul for. Gliding guitars and multi-personality sounds
Nick Lowe could admire are sprinkled throughout this enigmatic project. "My Friend" ends too soon, with a quick fade into the more Wizard of Oz-type sounds of marching foot soldiers from the wicked witch's castle. Artistic freedom is one thing, but hiding the sparkling jewels between vague fiction was to the detriment of the music and the band. [The album was reissued in 2000 by Line Music.] ~ Joe Viglione, All Music Guide
