An album of glorious richness and staggering songwriting that deserves to be embraced.
There really is no place for Crippled Black Phoenix in what is considered to be the popular musical landscape of 2010. They’re called Crippled Black Phoenix for heavens’ sake, and they consistently try to muddy the waters of their identity – there’s a small section on their MySpace detailing what they aren’t, but little of what they are. After some digging, it’s still a mystery. But funnily enough, after one cycle of I, Vigilante, it becomes clear that it’s for the best.
Sure, there’s currency in knowing about band leader Justin Greaves’ past in the likes of Electric Wizard or Iron Monkey, as well as the musical history of singer Joe Volk (formerly of Bristolian riffmonsters Gonga) or the sweet tinklings of pianist Daisy Chapman’s solo work, and it’s not like CBP are exactly an unknown quantity to the more adventurous listener. But I, Vigilante deserves to be embraced, not for its pedigree or associations with other bands and musicians but for its glorious richness.
Lees de rest van deze review op BBC CD recensies (Engels)
Bron: BBC Music