Reviews > CDs

Chris Robinson Brotherhood: The Magic Door

Silver Arrow

Riding in on waves of vibration and light, Chris Robinson Brotherhood’s second album is classic rock in the finest sense. With a mind toward craftsmanship, boogie and heady, accessible depth, the Black Crowes lead singer’s new band—a sinewy, road-hardened unit that put in 120 shows last year—brachiates from vintage thrills like Hank Ballard’s “Let’s Go, Let’s Go, Let’s Go” to tunes with a distinctly ‘70s Grateful Dead feel, though Jerry & Co. rarely had this much organic hip shake or foreboding chooglers like “Someday Past the Sunset.” For all of his prowess in his day job, one senses that they are hearing Robinson’s natural voice in the CRB; still a rocker through and through, but more tender and open about his cosmic proclivities. The CRB’s latest reveals more guitarhero mojo from Neal Casal, who is also a perfect, satisfying vocal foil for Robinson. It’s also fun to hear all of the fresh colors in Crowes’ keyboardist Adam MacDougall in this setting, where he lets his Mini Moog hum beneath his fluttering freak flag. Stitched together by producer Thom Monahan (Vetiver, Devendra Banhart), The Magic Door is a warmly immersive experience for folks seeking something meatier than the mainstream.