Bright Curse - Time of the Healer

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BRIGHT CURSE has been around since 2013. They are based out of London, England but have definite ties to France. “Time of the Healer,” released May 2019, is their second full-length LP. Most people identify them as Psychedelic Doom, maybe a little Stoner, lots of Fuzz. Personally, I think the flute and experimental elements put them solidly in the Psychedelic corner. They have an improvisational jazz vibe, accented with brass instruments, French lyrics, and abruptly shifting tempos. All this says ‘jam band’ to me, but they can also get surprisingly focused and dark surprisingly quick. If you’ve been following BRIGHT CURSE for some time, you’ll note they’ve brought on a second guitarist, Tommy Foster. I think this addition allows for more depth and agility. When Romain Daut (guitar) and Tommy want to rock, they can do it with extreme prejudice. I just wish they would have been struck with that urge more often on this album.

“Smoke of the Past” and “Laura” are the best pieces. “Une Virée” made me want to hurt myself, slowly. Thankfully, it’s also the shortest track of the five-track album, weighing in at about three minutes while most of the others clock in at over ten. “Time of the Healer” and “Shadows” have their moments, but they are only moments. All together, this album requires patience and a certain degree of maturity, which I confess I don’t posses. For instance, “Shadows” has a pondering pace, but every so often gets really heavy. While the contrast makes the track interesting, it doesn’t make it compelling. And then there is the talking and the flute and the trumpet and the drum brushes.

I do have to say, I love the cover art of this album. It’s kind of a Bob Ross meets Swamp Thing fusion. On one hand, it says peaceful tranquility; on the other, it suggests an unnatural and probably painful encounter. If “Time of the Healer” is about contrasts, the album art is a perfect complement. There is no doubt BRIGHT CURSE comprises four very talented musicians. “Time of the Healer” showcases that talent. Their song writing is purposeful, they explore the space of sound, and they don’t overtly push an agenda. There is a bit of the captains here—CAPTAIN BEEFHEART and CAPTAIN BEYOND—and if you are into that, then you need to check out this album. If you need more urgency and viscera in your music, you should probably look elsewhere.

Songwriting: 6
Originality: 6
Memorability: 5
Production: 7