MILESAGO (SPECTRUM)

Released in late 1971, Spectrum's 'Milesago' was one of those albums I always wanted but never quite got around to buying. I had heard parts of it just after its release and I recall there being a lot of hype surrounding it at the time.

'Milesago' was, arguably, the first Oz rock double album but its real punch came from the musical territory it explored and the adventurous departure it took from Spectrum's initial album.

Revisionism is something I abhor but a small amount of context is needed with 'Milesago'. There were two bands operating at the time of this recording; Spectrum (obviously!) and the more commercially-pointed Indelible Murtceps. Both bands had the same line-ups. My reason for alluding to this duality is that both bands left watermarks on the album and these added to its sprawling and diverse character.

Strange titles, weird lyrics and off-beat themes litter the fifteen songs but the highlight is the interplay between Mike Rudd's guitar and the keyboards of Lee Neale. Nowhere is this better demonstrated than on 'What the World Needs (Is a New Pair of Socks)'.

For what it's worth, I reckon 'Milesago' is up there amongst the greatest Australian albums.

Posted to CD Collector Central and CD Hoarders United f/b groups on 20 June 2015