Each week I am going to write a short (under 200 word) review for an album from my collection chosen at random by iTunes. You can expect anything from Slayer to Salmonella Dub to (Ravi) Shankar and that is all part of the fun. Enjoy.
Week 5: Crippled Black Phoenix – 200 Tons of Bad Luck (2009)
Country: UK / Progressive, Rock, Metal
Every now and then someone claims that prog rock is dead. It is times like this that make me thankful for the existence of bands like Crippled Black Phoenix. This UK based super group specialise in powerful, contemplative prog rock with an authentic retro feel. The soaring harmonies of opening track ‘Burnt Reynolds’ opens things in a grand fashion before ‘Rise Up And Fight’ (sounding a lot like Pink Floyd’s ‘One Of These Days’) kicks it into a higher gear. A few heavier moments creep up (‘Paranoid Arm Of The Narcoleptic Empire’ comes to mind) but the tone is generally more tranquil than many modern prog practitioners. This is a surprise considering that many members of Crippled Black Phoenix come from a sludge / stoner / doom metal background. This may not be music to get you up and moshing but 200 Tons Of Bad Luck is an authentic synthesis of early 70s prog rock played by a group of masterful musicians with a clear passion for the subject.
Rating: A
For fans of: Pink Floyd, King Crimson, Porcupine Tree
No comments:
Post a Comment