Here's another forgotten gem from the vaults. Going through my collection today, it occurred to me that I'd never posted any SPIRIT CARAVAN, let alone what I feel is their best album. My appreciation of THE OBSESSED and Wino-era VITUS has been well-documented here at G.O.M.E., though Jug Fulla Sun might be the legend's finest work. It's definitely some of Wino's most inspired playing, as the leads and riffs that dominate the album are among his very best. Honestly, while I was always very impressed with the political nature of Wino's lyrics in the now-defunct HIDDEN HAND, I felt that, musically, the band was a step backwards. Three minutes into the epic masterpiece "Dead Love/Jug Fulla Sun", I have no doubt that the G.O.M.E. Faithful will agree. This is not to say that THE HIDDEN HAND didn't make good records, I just think Wino's SPIRIT CARAVAN days were probably his creative peak. It's a shame that he seems unwilling to sustain (or incapable of sustaining) a band and allow it to develop. None of us know what's next for Wino, but I hope it features the great songwriting found here, coupled with the lyrical content of THE HIDDEN HAND. It's hard to pick highlights on such a consistently impressive album. The aforementioned "Dead Love/Jug Fulla Sun" is my personal favorite, though on some days I might prefer "Lost Sun Dance". It's solid cover-to-cover, though. Even Wino's requisite ode to his DC hardcore roots, "Kill Ugly Naked", is surprisingly enjoyable and far from filler. Highly recommended.
1. Healing Tongue
2. Courage
3. Cosmic Artifact
4. Fear's Machine
5. Powertime
6. Dead Love/Jug Fulla Sun
7. Fang
8. Chaw
9. Melancholy Grey
10. Sea Legs
11. Kill Ugly Naked
12. Lost Sun Dance
13. No Hope Goat Farm
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