`PILGRIM ROAD` AN EPIC ROLLERCOASTER OF CONTEMPORARY ALTERNATIVE AMERICANA
I got to admit, I pinched the `Americana` description off the front sleeve sticker, all I do know with a little help from Wikipedia is that WILLARD GRANT CONSPIRACY is an alternative country and americana band which was formed in 1995 by Robert Fischer and Paul Austin in Boston, Massachusetts, with Fischer ever the only permanent member.
Seems like a good idea, have any one of 30 people join your band amicably at any time and leave at any time, like being on the Willard Grant roster.
Talk about a supergroup, from an artistic point of view it is somewhat ingenius to have a band where people come and go as they like, nothing like new blood with new ideas to stop a band from going stale.
I have listened to the album from 2008 called PILGRIM ROAD a couple of times, but I haven`t listened to any of their other material.
PILGRIM ROAD is really different, quite unlike any other sound i have heard, this album anyway does not sound like alternative country to me, obviously WILLARD GRANT CONSPIRACY dabble in various styles of folk and country, what is
very pronounced on the album is a glorious soundtrack of classic piano music, with only a couple of tracks overtly folk orientated.
very pronounced on the album is a glorious soundtrack of classic piano music, with only a couple of tracks overtly folk orientated.
Intermingled amongst the epic piano and reedy blues tinged folk is the unmistakable deep gravelled bass voice of Fischer, along with flushes of viola, violin, trumpet, vibraphonette, trombone, cello, double bass and quite a few other rarities, as well as lush harmonies from a choir going by the name of the Pilgrim Choir, which makes total sense.
Some comparisons have been made to Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, an old flame of
mine should like hearing that, but I cant compare the two because I have never listened to Nick Cave properly in my whole life.
mine should like hearing that, but I cant compare the two because I have never listened to Nick Cave properly in my whole life.
Robert Fischer`s voice is probably morbidly stark and eery like Cave`s is, and you would have to say PILGRIM ROAD from a mood point of view isn`t exactly brimming with pop-like panache.
It`s a very self indulgent affair which is completely lacking in any songs that have
any commercial `single` appeal, something the Bad Seeds revel in.
any commercial `single` appeal, something the Bad Seeds revel in.
My favourite songs on the album, simply based on the quality of the production, are `Miracle on 8th Street`, `Lost Hours`, `Painter Blue` and `The Pugalist`.
The album is not uplifting, I would say it is
depressing if anything, the lyrics are very abstract and the music is as far away as you could get from three verse big chorus rockers.
depressing if anything, the lyrics are very abstract and the music is as far away as you could get from three verse big chorus rockers.
Fischer almost talks his way through some of the verses, like Randy Newman except he`s completely lacking in rhythm and blues dynamics.
Nonetheless, PILGRIM ROAD has two things going for it - immaculate and crystal clear production as well as musicians backing Fischer who are experts at playing their instruments.
I wont say I love it, it is a very incongruous enigmatic recording, but it sounds great.
Comments
Post a Comment