Album Review: Chris Robinson Brotherhood - Big Moon Ritual

Chris Robinson of The Black Crowes has cast aside his previous cohorts (albeit temporarily), brother included, in favour of a new family. The Chris Robinson Brotherhood have been touring since their formation last year, and now they've followed up a series of awe-inspiring live performances with Big Moon Ritual, a seven-track album teeming with '70s nostalgia. On pedigree alone there were high hopes for this release, and fans will not be disappointed: the marriage of Robinson's soulful voice with rolling guitar solos secure its fate — it's amazing.

Opener Tulsa Yesterday is a whopping eleven minutes long, and each minute is better than the last. The same can be said for Rosalee, there's real power in Robinson's voice and the guitar work is equally impressive. At a paltry seven minutes you'll wish it was longer. Chris Robinson Brotherhood have managed to produce more of a jam session than an album, and they've done it brilliantly. Reflections On A Broken Mirror is a real standout track in both music and lyrics, you can close your eyes and practically see lighters held high as everyone grooves along to Robinson's phenomenal vocals and the mesmeric 'ooh, ooh, ooh's'.

The tracks are all pretty lengthy; it's only seven songs but it goes for a full hour — a very good hour — but it never seems drag on, it wanders, steady and unpretentious as each track goes on for just as long as it needs to. One Hundred Days Of Rain is the perfect choice to close the album, wrapping everything up so perfectly – it's not lacking in sound or feeling, so by its close you're completely satisfied. Big Moon Ritual is like a trip back in time to a place where the only thing that matters is the music.