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These reissues are NOT the remasters we've all been waiting for. These are just straight reissues with the Reprise logo slapped on them and sound exactly the same as the previous issues. According to Rhino the proper digital remasters will begin to be issued at the end of the year and these reissues will form part of this. This process will take a number of years and might not be in chronological order but will feature bonus tracks and improved packaging artwork. Still five stars for the album itself!!!!

Rating: 5 out of 5

'Spirits Having Flown' is quite probably the one Bee Gees album that divides listeners more than any other and it all comes down to whether or not one is appreciative of the Bee Gees excessive use of falsetto. Falsetto was certainly nothing new for the Bee Gees as by the year of 'Spirits Having Flown's release in 1979 they had been incorporating it into their sound for the past four years (including 'Saturday Night Fever'). With 'Spirits Having Flown', however, they take it to its furthest extreme which although effective more often than not nevertheless makes the album a little hard to swallow for some listeners.
Falsetto aside, 'Spirits Having Flown' is a fine album with a number of highlights particuarly in the first half of the album ('Tragedy','Too Much Heaven', Love You Inside Out', 'Reaching Out' and 'Spirits (Having Flown')) which really does represent the Bee Gees in their prime. If the second half isn't as successful that's not necessarily to say it isn't good. 'Search Find', 'Living Together' and 'I'm Satisfield' are still solid tracks even if they are comparatively slight and 'Until' is a rare ballad sung in Barry's natural voice. It's only on another ballad 'Stop Think Again' where Barry's falsetto begins to sound like a serious misstep and the only time in my opinion when some of the mocking impersonations seem, perhaps, slightly justified.
'Spirits Having Flown' is really more pop influenced than disco. Nevertheless it does also represent the closing of a chapter in the Bee Gees history which had opened with 'Main Course' and ran through 'Children Of The World' and the frenzied 'Saturday Night Fever'. In many ways it marked the end of the 'fever' period as a backlash was beginning to develop as Barry, Robin and Maurice began to look for other ways to express themselves which usually meant writing and arranging for other artists.
Whatever its perceived faults, 'Spirits Having Flown' remains a fine album.

Rating: 4 out of 5

'Spirits Having Flown' is quite probably the one Bee Gees album that divides listeners more than any other and it all comes down to whether or not one is appreciative of the Bee Gees excessive use of falsetto. Falsetto was certainly nothing new for the Bee Gees as by the year of 'Spirits Having Flown's release in 1979 they had been incorporating it into their sound for the past four years (including 'Saturday Night Fever'). With 'Spirits Having Flown', however, they take it to its furthest extreme which although effective more often than not nevertheless makes the album a little hard to swallow for some listeners.
Falsetto aside, 'Spirits Having Flown' is a fine album with a number of highlights particuarly in the first half of the album ('Tragedy','Too Much Heaven', Love You Inside Out', 'Reaching Out' and 'Spirits (Having Flown')) which really does represent the Bee Gees in their prime. If the second half isn't as successful that's not necessarily to say it isn't good. 'Search Find', 'Living Together' and 'I'm Satisfield' are still solid tracks even if they are comparatively slight and 'Until' is a rare ballad sung in Barry's natural voice. It's only on another ballad 'Stop Think Again' where Barry's falsetto begins to sound like a serious misstep and the only time in my opinion when some of the mocking impersonations seem, perhaps, slightly justified.
'Spirits Having Flown' is really more pop influenced than disco. Nevertheless it does also represent the closing of a chapter in the Bee Gees history which had opened with 'Main Course' and ran through 'Children Of The World' and the frenzied 'Saturday Night Fever'. In many ways it marked the end of the 'fever' period as a backlash was beginning to develop as Barry, Robin and Maurice began to look for other ways to express themselves which usually meant writing and arranging for other artists.
Whatever its perceived faults, 'Spirits Having Flown' remains a fine album.

Rating: 4 out of 5

When I bought this album upon its release on vinyl I thought it somewhat poor value. Now, a quarter of a century later I have had to reconsider. The tracks which formed the first side of the LP are truly brilliant. The rest are little more than fillers.That said, the album is still good vfm. The chance to hear the title track or Love You Inside or Out in remastered form is worth the purchase price alone. Anything else that takes your fancy is a bonus!

Rating: 3 out of 5

In the difficult position of having to top "Saturday Night Fever", the Gibb brothers surpassed themselves and created their biggest hit studio album of their careers, including three more #1 hits, making six #1 hit songs in a row! "Tragedy", "Too Much Heaven" and "Love You Inside Out" were all top hit singles. "Spirits (Having Flown)" was a large hit single overseas. All songs are Barry dominated vocals and he is at his falsetto best. However, "Stop (Think Again)" is a tad long and a little bit tedious, but the following tracks go right back to their upbeat best! Succeeding in avoiding any dance songs (disco), the Bee Gees out-do themselves. These songs are truly funky "R & B" numbers, a solid match for any rythym and blues band. "Until", the closing solo track may not be equal to their earlier hit "Words", but Barry's voice accompanied by the electronic harpsichord makes for a delicious ending.

Rating: 5 out of 5