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Rating: The psychedelic production of the sixties never ceases to amaze; this is another classic of bizarre creativity, a delight born from the mind of an English freak who for a brief period managed to ride the wave of success and top the UK charts.
Arthur Brown became famous for his eccentric pyrotechnic shows, which he presented with theatrical tricks and surprise effects, colorful stage costumes, and a demonic vocal interpretation.
The satanic atmospheres he managed to create were actually ironic, demented comedies, associated with visual impact and a desire to amaze; the most famous example was a special hat that would burst into flames on command (it is said that many times these effects degenerated into real fires, seriously endangering the audience's safety).
The album released in 1968 is vibrant, colorful rhythm and blues, painted by the incredible phrases of an unstoppable Hammond organ, which makes the lack of guitar unnoticeable and is enriched by arrangements of trumpets, flutes, strings, predictions of what would later be defined as progressive (it is necessary to mention the name of the pianist, Vincent Crane, considered one of the greatest virtuosos of the instrument and founder of the Atomic Rooster, a great progressive hard rock band of the seventies).
The voice of our mad friend is something hallucinatory, take James Brown’s vocal cords (paid tribute to with the cover I’ve Got Money), those of Screamin’ Jay Hawkins (another fanatic of macabre multimedia representations, revisited with the chilling cover I Put A Spell On You), combine them, let them sizzle in acid, and you will have an idea of the character's madness (I also add Frank Zappa).
All the songs are of excellent craftsmanship, living between moments of twilight calm and exciting explosions of adrenaline (Brown’s high notes are eclectic, epic, schizoid, tragic/comic and imbued with a strong aroma of black soul), but the epochal track and centerpiece of the album is Fire, the contagious hit that decreed the band's success and bewitched a generation.
Tracklist Lyrics Samples and Videos
03 Fire (03:02)
I am the god of hell f ire and I bring you:
Fire, I'll take you to burn.
Fire, I'll take you to learn.
I'll see you burn!
You fought hard and you saved and learned,
but all of it's going to burn.
And your mind, your tiny mind,
you know you've really been so blind.
Now 's your time burn your mind.
You're falling far too far behind.
Oh no, oh no, oh no, you gonna burn!
Fire, to destroy all you've done.
Fire, to end all you've become.
I'll feel you burn!
You've been living like a little girl,
in the middle of your little world.
And your mind, your tiny mind,
you know you've really been so blind.
Now 's your time burn your mind,
you're falling far too far behind.
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