Art-rock supergroup weaves harmony between old and new
Initially founded by Electric Wizard drummer Justin Greaves, Crippled Black Phoenix has grown into a modern musical phenomenon that has taken up members of Mogwai, Pantheist, and 3D House of Beef, as well as various other contemporary musicians. Boasting a total of eight members, the group has managed to craft a supremely original sound that merges classic, Victorian-era instruments with those of contemporary rock music in an impressively effective manner. With their debut album, A Love of Shared Disasters, the band effortlessly navigates across the boundaries of pop, alternative, experimental, post and progressive rock styles while collectively sounding like something altogether different.
Through their skillful and highly unique combinations of the new and old, A Love of Shared Disasters sounds a bit like talking a walk through the past and back again. Additions of cello, accordion, musical saw and harmonium drape each song in a veil of time that gives album’s atmosphere a level of unmatched authenticity, as well as providing a captivating aural setting for the album to take place. At the same time, soothing rock melodies, driving rhythms and electronic effects frequently emerge from the dust, adding the perfect balance of contemporary influence to the giant melting-pot of sounds. Many tracks are also complemented with passionate, beautifully delivered vocals that breathe life into the album’s most memorable segments. As a whole, the mixture of such a wide array of style and technique make for a sound that’s both entrancing and madly entertaining.
While A Love of Shared Disasters certainly provides its fair share of excitement, some might find the several ambient, “soundscape” tracks that pop up throughout the album to be a bit much. Tracks like “The Whistler” and “I’m Almost Home” are definitely far more minimal and slow-moving than the rest of the album, and will most likely feel a bit tedious at first. Closer listening will reveal, however, that such segments are much more than just useless filler and are, in actuality, intricately composed and almost essential to the flow of the entire album.
Whatever your take is on Crippled Black Phoenix, one thing remains certain: the stylistic hybridizations and artistic passion exhibited on their debut album have created one of the most unique approaches to rock music this year has yet to offer. It is without a doubt an absolute must-hear.
| Reviewer: Sean Butze Added: May 1st 2007 |
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