Album review: CRIPPLED BLACK PHOENIX – White Light Generator

Cool Green Recordings ( Release date 17.03.14)

Crippled Black Phoenix are a difficult band to review. This is mainly because they refuse to conform and are, therefore, hard to pigeon hole. Perhaps this is something that should be celebrated in a world of bands conforming to the latest big thing, but this depends on how you view CBP’s prog rock musings.

I have encountered the band before, most recently with their ‘Live In Poznan’ double effort last year, and have been left with mixed feelings. I approached this album with an open mind and after a few listens I felt I was finally gaining a better understanding of what CBP are all about.

The album opens with the acoustic, almost country, number ‘Sweeter Than You’ which is pleasant enough. You then get into the album proper with ‘No – parts 1 and 2’, Part 1 being short and punchy whilst Part 2 is an extended prog workout containing some excellent guitar work which brought Dave Gilmour to mind.

‘Black Light Generator’ is the next track of note, it is one of the tracks with a harder rock edge to it which I enjoyed. It is when the band go into lo-fi mode on tracks like ‘Wake Me Up When It’s Time To Sleep’ that my interest wanders. It’s not a bad song but for me it just doesn’t go anywhere and that I find is my issue with the band. When they are rocking they do so with conviction but on the more reflective numbers I find the output a tad dull.

‘White Light Generator’ is a prog album of note that will go down well with the band’s growing fanbase and will no doubt attract new fans to the fold. I did enjoy this album in parts and appreciated the musicianship on show, however for me the jury is still out. ***

Review by Dave Wilson

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.

Next session: Sunday 1 December

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 3 November 2024.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 29 October 2024.

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

Power Plays w/c 11 November 2024

ARCANE MOON Hello Sun (indie)
S8NT ELEKTRIC XTC (Long Branch Records)
ARCANA KINGS Here We Go (Curtain Call Records)
KLOGR face The Unknown (Zeta Factory)
BEYOND UNBROKEN Dance With The Dead (FiXT)
REVENGIN Decadent Feeling (Wormholedeath)

Featured Albums w/c 11 November 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)