The main idea is that behind Heavy Metal and Rock ‘n’ Roll is solely the Blues influence. That’s not true and not fair with reality, because the seminal genres that are (along with Blues) behind the things are Country, Gospel, Rhythm & Blues and some others. So these genres unleashed a great diversity into Rock ‘n’ Roll womb. And that diversity can be heard on the Swedish quartet
CIRKUS PRUTZ, and a hearing on
“White Jazz - Black Magic - More Stories From the Left Hand Path” is enough to have this idea.
“White Jazz - Black Magic - More Stories From the Left Hand Path” (that will be shorten to “
“White Jazz…” during this review) is a fine mix of earlier Rock ‘n’ Roll with deep Bluesy roots. It’s accessible to an ample range of musical fans, and it can remind something from
Eric Clapton and
Joe Cocker on their solo careers on their most commercial moments. Good melodies, fine and simple musical arrangements, hooking choruses… Yes, everything here is far from being original, but it’s very good.
The sound quality of the album was conceived to be clean and organic like some works from the genre during the 80s. Of course the set of instrumental tunes are basic as they must (this specific musical genre doesn’t demand great efforts), but the producer made an effort to make it as clean as the music needed. On the songs, nothing will unleash violent complains from the fans. 10 good songs are presented, being the best moments of the album are: the Bluesy Rock ‘n’ Roll song
“Leave Me Alone” (the fine clean touches on guitars are really charming), the accessible
“Mojo” (this one will remind a lot the work of
Eric Clapton during the 80’s), the hooking rhythm of
“Aim to Please”, the deep Blues influence on
“Blues for Fallen Brothers”, the charming accessible essence of
“Ready to Go”, and that Pop Rock commercial song that is usual on releases of such genre on
“Friends”.
Nothing original is presented on
“White Jazz,” but it doesn’t mean that
CIRKUS PRUTZ is not a good band.
Originality: 5
Songwriting: 8
Memorability: 8
Production: 8