Spectrum - Indian Summer

There are two bands named Spectrum out there, so it's good to keep them distinct. This one here is the English band Spectrum, headed by Peter Kember, who was a founding member of Spacemen 3. When Spacemen 3 dissolved Kember went on to become Spectrum and Jason Pierce moved on to Spiritualized. I enjoy both of those later projects.

Peter Kember is credited on this album by his pen name, Sonic Boom. Indian Summer is not a full length CD. Instead, released in 1993, it is a four-song CD that has Indian Summer, Baby Don't You Worry, It's Alright, and True Love Will Find You In The End.

Indian Summer was written in 1998 by the band Beat Happening and is considered "Twee Rock" - sort of happy Scottish pop. It's an intriguing mix for Spectrum, with the droney, bagpipey sort of music and summertime lyrics. Baby Don't You Worry was based on California Lullaby by classic pop-rock duo Jan & Dean and continues that soft, gentle, reassuring theme.

The third song, titled It's alright, is actually based on the song "I'm Alright" by Bo Diddley. I find it intriguing that Diddley was saying that he, personally, was doing fine, but Kember turns it around to say that the world as a whole is alright. The song has the same chord progression but of course its softer, more droney feeling.

True Love Will Find You In The End is even more interesting. This comes from a *cassette release* in 1984 by artist Daniel Johnston who is perhaps more famous for his challenges with mental illness than his musical releases. He caused the plane his father was flying in to crash due to one bout. His music has been covered by many famous artists over the years.

In general the four songs are a pleasant interlude, generally cheerful, softly droney, with a positive message. They're sort of a "pick-me-up" set for when you're feeling a bit low. They reassure you that things will work out, and that whatever the current issues are, they will pass. I enjoy them, although it's also fair to say they don't have the same deep power to me that some of Kember and Pierce's other works have.

Buy Spectrum - Indian Summer from Amazon.com

Modern Music Reviews
Lisa's Music and CD Reviews
Music and MP3 Tips and Information