ALBUM REVIEW: Long Long Road – Arthur Brown
ARTHUR BROWN is a legendary name in the world of rock and needs no introduction. Widely credited as one of the pioneers of metal’s most identifiable features, corpse paint (alongside KISS and KING DIAMOND), and self-proclaimed as the “God of Hellfire”, the crazy world of ARTHUR BROWN is still flourishing wild and untamed. Ever since his transatlantic hit single Fire graced the world in 1968, it has been a unhinged, acid trip of a journey for the rock star. Long Long Road showcases Brown’s signature psychedelic blues rock sound whilst effortlessly genre hopping between soul, progressive rock and spoken word. The album will be released on the singer’s 80th birthday, and despite his advancing years his voice has not lost any of its power as it traverses the many octaves of his range with incredible ease. Brown’s latest venture into the forays of his strange and uncanny world is delivered with a mature mastery that comes from a lifetime in music.
There is a exuberant majesty to ARTHUR BROWN’s music that cannot be found elsewhere, and the singer has recently experienced his own renaissance musically and in the public eye. This comes from the renewed attention by fans as Brown scooped up a handful of awards in recent years. As a pioneer of shock rock, 1968’s The Crazy World Of Arthur Brown still holds significantly mesmeric power and influence. Long Long Road carries on this intensely strange and ultimately enjoyable journey in what is already a long and glittering career. Dramatically elegant, extravagant and eccentric, ARTHUR BROWN is still at his very best. Whilst many will feel that Long Long Road is a poetic swansong, it is actually the opposite, there is a lust for continuation that transcends this album, making it another incredible chapter in the book of ARTHUR BROWN but also marking the beginning of a new story being unfurled.
Bound with Brown’s devilishly poetic lyrics, twinkling keys and ever-shifting psychedelic atmospheres, Long Long Road is a luxurious journey through Brown’s authentic, challenging, creative, and compelling mind. Even though there is something mischievously demonic about the album’s energy, it comes across all in the name of madness and fun. Yet there are some stirring emotional moments that come through this carnival of psychedelic blues craziness. Title track Long Long Road is an emotional ballad where the power and raw emotion of Brown’s unique voice is laid bare, stirring up feelings of bittersweet joy as we travel further along life’s road. This is an album of so many layered wonders; as all the elements come together there is a relaxing and playful atmosphere that is juxtaposed by the darker, intense lyrics – each working in tandem to give the listener an experience that they won’t soon forget. In what can only be assumed as the story of someone’s untimely end in a gas explosion, Long Long Road will no doubt give you an acid-infused taste of the underworld.
Opening up with the disorientating and eerie Gas Tanks, Brown wastes no time in getting to down to the magnificently strange business of playing psychedelic blues. As if on a crazy acid trip through New Orleans you’re surrounded by crazy keys passages and the obscure appearance of a flute-like instrument. This fades into the equally odd Coffin Confessions, a strange spoken word song which sounds like the strange ramblings of a recently dead being. Despite the chilling nature of the track, it’s followed by Going Down which is an anthemic swaggering blues song as Brown unleashes the screeching high notes at the top of his range. Once I Had Illusions parts one and two tell a surreal trip soundtracked by space electronics and catchy blues hooks. The latter part ends the album with a flurry of expert musicianship and emotion. Shining Brightness takes you straight back to the 60s with its swirling guitars and THE NOVELTONES‘ Left Bank Two vibes in the verses, a song that would be perfect for dancing with the devil to.
Judging by the sound of the album overall, ARTHUR BROWN may well be the Devil’s own in house musician. A poetic and enthralling journey back into his crazy world is something we all need, proving just like the great CHRISTOPHER LEE that you’re never too old to be innovative, compelling and creative. Long Long Road is chillingly beautiful and masterfully composed.
Rating: 9/10
Long Long Road is set for release on June 24th via Prophecy Productions / Magnetic Eye Records.
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