Day 204: Earth, Wind & Fire – Spirit

Interesting day today. I had some free time to spend so I went to visit the site of an alien abduction, now I’m gearing up for a big theme evening of watching X-Files. Greatest show ever made, if you ask me. I wanted a nice album for the drive, and what’s nicer than a bit of Earth, Wind & Fire? Nothing. That’s probably not even an opinion, that’s just stating a fact – it’s the most universally appealing music that anyone has created.

I’ve previously reviewed I Am and All ‘n All, so today it was time to listen to Spirit. Released in 1976, Spirit was the group’s seventh studio album. It was produced by band leader Maurice White, as the band’s longtime collaborator Charles Stepney, who produced and arranged their albums, passed away while they were recording it. White got to play him the song “Spirit”, which the band had written in his honour. He passed that same day.

You pretty much get what you expect from Earth, Wind & Fire on Spirit – it’s soulful and spiritual funk that’s meant to uplift you and help you have a nice time. There’s the traditional spiritual anthems mixed with songs about having fun on a Saturday night, all of which combine to be a listening experience of pretty flawless fun-time anthems.

Having said that, I don’t think this is even close to my favourite album by Maurice et al. While I can’t fault it for any obvious flaws or poor songs, it feels a little bit emotionally flatter than the two previous ones I’ve reviewed. There’s also not an iconic floor-filling banger, but it’s a bit more a collection of more even keeled and less vibrant songs, which probably makes sense, given the circumstances of recording it. The closest we get is “Biyo”, and while it’s a good song, it doesn’t get you moving like some of their better ones.

The group definitely saved the best for last with “Burning Bush”, which is Earth, Wind & Fire at their peak. I do also enjoy “Getaway” and will very much pop it onto an upcoming holiday playlist. Other than that, I can’t say there’s anything on Spirit that’s too memorable, but it’s still a perfectly pleasant album to listen to.

I can see myself going through a good few albums by Earth, Wind & Fire during the rest of this project, I said before that it’s what you listen to when you want to have a nice day and I stand by that. I think enjoyment of Earth, Wind & Fire substantially increases the amount of joy in your heart on any given day. Nevertheless, it’s not my favourite one from the group. I’m giving it a 7.5/10.