Chris Robinson is deceptively prolific for people who do not know him. Those only familiar with his work, and tenuous relationship, with the Black Crowes, are missing out on his extensive catalog of work outside the group, including solo work and super groups. In the past two decades, Robinson has taken his musical proclivities from Twangy pop rock to blues. Now, armed with his new band Chris Robinson Brotherhood, he releases the sprawling psychedelic masterpiece, Big Moon Ritual.
Big Moon Ritual takes Robinson and crew even further from the commercial mainstream he entered into. The songs are extensive and thick with southern drawl....and funky, REALLY FUNKY. The basic facets of the songs are catchy, but he parlays the tunes into extensive guitar solos and jam sessions. Brother pays homage to his classic rock idols while still showing Robinson's own taste and style. Robinson uses his wailing vocals and in instrument, leading the charge in the swamp tour-de-force. Lyrically, Big Moon Ritual is pretty par for the course: thoughtful and poignant without being overly deep and heady. The result is perfectly matched, as it is Robinson's howl combined with the music that gives Big Moon Ritual is pathos.
It seems that Chris Robinson has decidedly opted to shy away from the commercial norm to release Big Moon Ritual, a collection of his personal tastes and influences. Doing so he has released one of his finest works to date. After twenty-three years of experimentation, Robinson emerges from the Southeastern bogs with a truly sensational album, full of interminable psychedelic funk tunes. Big Moon Ritual is one of the greatest albums of Chris Robinson's career, and one of the top albums of 2012.
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