ALBUM REVIEW: Blues Revolution – Cirkus Prütz
After a huge five year interlude, CIRKUS PRÜTZ are back with their long-awaited third album Blues Revolution. The name certainly exudes the vibe of this release, as they are certainly confident and proud of their infectious blues rock sound. In this release though, CIRKUS PRÜTZ have developed a sense of true vulnerability and relatability, as opposed to their previous work. As the album goes on, it is inevitable that you feel more in tune with vocalist Christian Carlsson and the personal, heart-wrenching themes he is portraying. Carlsson tackles difficult topics such as alcoholism head on, which is more than admirable in this day and age. This band have most definitely found their feet in the industry, that’s for sure.
As with CIRKUS PRÜTZ‘s last release White Jazz – Black Magic, guitarist Franco Santunione (previously of ELECTRIC BOYS and GLORY BELLS BAND) was fully involved in the production of every single track on Blues Revolution. From the first second of the opening title track Blues Revolution, you feel as though you are being transported to another musical dimension. Carlsson‘s vocals are truly astonishing with every note that goes by. Combined with a seriously infectious chorus as well as guitar hooks for days courtesy of Santunione, this must be one of the best starting tracks heard in a while.
Boogie Woogie Man is most definitely another standout song on the album, with Modern Day Gentleman sounding like it could have been a bonus track from BLACK STONE CHERRY. By this point, it is painstakingly obvious that this is CIRKUS PRÜTZ‘s best work to date. As we get up to Let’s Join Hands, it seems as though we have travelled back to the 80s. The gothic, new-wave inspired riffs and vocals heard throughout are most definitely a sharp turning point in the album – unexpected but favourable.
At this stage of the release, it is clear that CIRKUS PRÜTZ are willing to experiment and try something new, yet assured enough to stay in their own lane with the bluesy style they truly embody, heard in tracks The Devil In Me and Howl Like The Wolf. From the first note of Headache, the roaring country sounding riffs pulse through your body, getting you energised and eager for what’s next. Gotta Quit Drinking is when we start to sense the band’s true vulnerability seeping through the cracks. Personability is most certainly something to applaud, showing CIRKUS PRÜTZ‘s true capabilities at large. Satisfying the masses, this is a track which is most likely to hit home for a lot of listeners. Death Knock Blues also captures an essence of raw relatability that is not typically seen in many artists of this nature. It is a sure sign that if they choose to carry on in this direction, they will find even more success. By the time we get to the Only Rock ‘N’ Roll finale, we are more than impressed with the outcome. The final track on Blues Revolution is a sure winner in our eyes, with the sheer abundance of energy from start to finish leaving us fulfilled.
CIRKUS PRÜTZ have stepped a little out of their comfort zone in more ways that one with this release, and it shows. Whilst they have a sure idea of who they are and who they want to be, the band have well and truly made their mark with Blues Revolution. Aside from the outstanding musicianship encapsulated within this talented fourpiece, they could well be a future triple threat with Santunione already making a new headway in production. Incorporating new wave and gothic style elements into their already soulful blues tunes, the band are clearly ahead of the game here. They are capable of achieving anything, and they know it.
Rating: 8/10
Blues Revolution is set for release on July 29th via Metalville Records.
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