Album, Single and EP Reviews


 

 

  Hymn Book by Imperial Crowns


Hymn Book cover art

Artist: Imperial Crowns
Title: Hymn Book
Catalogue Number: Ruf Records RUF1095
Review Format: CD
Release Year: 2004



Don't know what church these boys are going to but this certainly isn't a standard issue text!  This is raucous, no-nonsense guitar and harmonica blues to drive your car by, get drunk to and eat your kebab to.


By no stretch of the imagination can this be described as traditional blues, even if its roots lie in that direction.  At times as much influenced by elements of funk, southern soul and psychedelic rock as it is by blues - it's almost like what would happen if James Brown, Jimi Hendrix, Otis Redding & BB King got together and partied like it was 1999.


It's difficult to pick standout tracks from this as there simply aren't any bad songs, however the almost hypnotic rhythmic beat of the opening song "Lil' Death" is a particular favourite, having originally heard it on a sampler CD thereby prompting this purchase in the first place.  A surprisingly good cover of William Bell's "You Don't Miss Your Water" is certainly worth a mention as is the more acoustic "(Simply) Just a Dream" and the 60's tinged "Blues Au GoGo".


This is a worthy addition to any music collection and is definitely worth passing the collection plate round for.


www.imperialcrowns.com
Reviewer:
Review Date: June 21 2007