THE CRAZY WORLD OF ARTHUR BROWN

Theatric British front man and vocalist Arthur Brown's first release with his new band mates. The album became a big hit on both sides of the Pond, with the single "Fire" becoming a major hit and propelling Arthur into fame for his use of fire on stage. The band's version of Screamin' Jay Hawkins' "I Put a Spell on You" also gained modest radio play and chart success.

1. "Prelude-Nightmare" (3:30) great start to the album--really sets the tone for what's ahead. (8.875/10)

2. "Fanfare-Fire Poem" (1:53) great theatric Screamin' Jay Hawkins/Little Richard-like intro to the band's biggest hit. (5/5)

3. "Fire" (2:55) Not really a great song, in my opinion, but it does have some dramatic vocals, that five-chord organ and chorus lyric hook and some solid band support. (8.875/10)

4. "Come And Buy" (5:45) after a rather dull opening 90 seconds, the chorus delivers some sparks and flames. But then the song returns to the dull Vincent Price motif for another minute before the next chorus. Great work from bassist Nick Greenwood as well as Vincent Crane and Drachen Theaker on keys and drums, respectively. The fact that find myself continuously hoping for more breakout passages like the all-too-brief choruses makes me rate this one a little lower. (8.75/10)

5. "Time / Confusion" (5:18) great performances from Vincent Crane, Nick Greenwood, and Drachen Theaker but it's often hard to get any attention with Arthur's domineering show up front, plus, the overall feel here is too funerary (with Arthur's Alan Rickman-like speaking voice). (8.75/10)

6. "I Put A Spell On You" (3:38) not the version that Screamin' Jay does--not even close--as Arthur has some odd effect on his voice and proceeds to stand back for longer stretches here than on any other song (which is great for his band members as they all have a chance to shine a little). Rated up for Vincent Crane and Drachen Theaker's performances. (8.875/10)

7. "Spontaneous Apple Creation" (2:51) opens with what sounds like Arthur's book or film narration before the band joins in with some Roald Dahl-appropriate eerie carnival music. (Nice work Vincent, Nick, and Drachen.) (8.875/10)

8. "Rest Cure" (2:39) the odd ball song on the album turns out to prep us for the future appearance of phenomena like The Rocky Horror Picture Show and Meatloaf and even Freddy Mercury. (8.875/10)

9. "I've Got Money" (3:05) some great ahrd-drivin' blues rock in the Yardbirds vein with Arthur's raw, gravelly voice taking us back into some psychedelic blues rock theatrics. The band is so tight! (8.875/10)

10. "Child Of My Kingdom" (7:02) some fairly pleasant piano-based jazz-rock with an odd, slightly sinister and definitely unsettling vocal performance that sounds like an African American blues singer like Joe Williams. I very much like this song and all of its performances. Pure and perfect. (14.5/15)

Total time 37:41

This is an album that is just not what I'm in to: there's too much theatric macabrism conveyed in Arthur's melodramatic lyrics and performances. It's as if he's trying to rock opera the vampirian underworld. The use of Screamin' Jay Hawkins' iconic song as the album's centerpiece feels all-too perfect as Arthur's entire schtick feels just like the one Screamin' Jay made famous through his own song and performances. There's solid music coming from his band--his instrumentalists often commanding jaw-dropping stuff--but there is never any doubt as to who the star of the show is: it's always frontman Arthur Brown, and he usually dominates 90% of the minutes of each song. I should not forget to mention the wonderful and powerful use of horns and orchestral support on several songs. More of this, please!

A-/five stars; a minor masterpiece of entertaining and unusual musical theater. Arthur carves out a theatric niche that many rock, heavy metal, and goth bands will take full advantage of over the coming decades.