The Chris Robinson Brotherhood take flight with their new full-length studio album Servants Of The Sun.
To say that the Chris Robinson Brotherhood are a creative bunch is an understatement. The band’s latest record marks their sixth album inside of eight years – an impressive feat to say the least.
As a band that was born on the road, it seems only fitting that with the Brotherhood’s latest record they would try to capture and replicate their live sound in the studio, and by doing so create ten songs that have been crafted with the concert environment in mind.
Servants of the Sun has been cultivated and catalyzed by the band’s live performances at some of the world’s most celebrated venues and festivals that include the likes of Mountain Jam, Peach Music Festival and a run of shows at the Fillmore in San Francisco.
The CRB kicks off the album with “Some Earthly Delights”. This being a joyous and somewhat uplifting number with infectious hooks that grabs you from the off. The use of vintage keyboards on this track, in particular, adds texture to great effect.
The intoxicating, percussion fuelled groove of “Let It Fall” when coupled with Robinson’s unmistakable vocal, the slide guitar play of Neal Casal and retro keyboard melody gives the song a sound that is not too far removed from the frontman’s former employer.
The CRB turn up the funk with “Rare Birds”, before switching gears to the ethereal “Venus In Chrome”. Much like the opening number, the retro keyboard sounds utilized on this number and many others on the record are a prominent feature on Servants of the Sun. The band has really dug deep in their treasure chest of instrumentation to create some sonically astounding sounds on this album.
The record slows down momentarily with the beautiful laid back sounds of “Stars Fell On California” before taking the listener on a space odyssey with “Come’n Round The Mountain”. The use of pedal steel on the latter adds a bit of an Americana feel in places. The same can be said about “Dice Game” which seamlessly fuses together country and blues to great effect.
One of the most sonically interesting numbers on the album is “Madder Rose Interlude”, which almost feels as though it fell out of a 70s sci-fi movie. The track is also the perfect prelude to the space-rocking Hawkwind-esque number ”A Smiling Epitaph”. At over 6 minutes long the aforementioned song, certainly leans towards the prog-rock arena.
With Servants of the Sun, the CRB perfectly transport the listener to their universe through their eclectic kaleidoscope of sound, musical experimentation and unrivalled creativity. It goes without saying that each of these astounding compositions will undoubtedly come to life when performed live.
Servants of the Sun by the Chris Robinson Brotherhood will be released June 14 on Silver Arrow Records.
Chris Robinson Brotherhood
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