Spectrum - Indian Summer FLAC

Most people know the Beat Happenings’ song “Inidian Summer” from the cover by Luna ... a wonderful lush wash of music, overlaid by the superb hypnotic haunting vocals, giving the song a near perfect droning feel.  Point of fact, Spectrum recorded it that same summer.

I saw Spectrum [with Sonic Boom, formally of Spacemen 3] perform this number at the Zipper Factory, where they opened for Dean & Britta.  Even though it was five in the morning by the time I got home, I ripped into my old vinyl and pulled out this gem for a quick spin, hoping to recapture some of what I had just heard.  I finally crawled into bed nearly two hours later; it seems that one album lead to another, and another, and then there were the CD’s ... I got carried away.  But you know, this is the kind of music that is designed to carry you away.

“Indian Summer” as covered by Spectrum stands one hundred and eighty degrees from what The Beat Happenings laid down, and a lush addition to what Luna did, yet in the same breath I want to say that the two versions are exactly the same ... perhaps it’s more that the versions stand as bookends to each other.  The version by Spectrum has a thousand more edges, and draws you in with sensational guitar riffs, rather then relying on the sensuous vocals.  Spectrum is a stunning band, full of layering, washes, feedback, and guitar adventures ... there are few bands walking the planet with as much neo-psychedelic talent as these guys have.

Yes, you can find the songs from this 45 RPM on other albums and on other discs, but there’s just something about sliding a piece of plastic out of it’s sleeve, slowly lowering that tone arm, biting your lip at the first pop as the stylus catches the groove ... and feeling the rich warm sound filters up and washes over you, creating an atmosphere I could live in for the rest of my life.

*** Limited Numbered Edition on black vinyl