Customer Reviews

Crimes of Passion

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is a fantastic CD, and it shows how BHTM have grown in their songwriting. From blistering rock (Dirty Juice, Love Transmission), soul (ICU in Everything, Conquistadors), and pop (Imaginary Ships, Angela Dangerlove), this CD is one that will never grow old. BHTM is probably one of the most underappreciated bands around. If you're a blues rock lover, this CD will NOT disappoint. Buy this and all of their other CDs.

It's really 4.5 stars, but I can't fractionalize.

As a diehard fan of BHTM, it's hard to say which album is my favorite, but Crimes of Passion is certainly one of them.
Compared to "Midnight Radio" it's the far end of the spectrum, whereas MR is indy and raw, Crimes is poised, polished and much more produced. Is one method way better than the other? Depends on the listener. For this listener it does not. It is a much more mellow album than their previous Riviera, but Todd's vocals are so much more clear that I understood every song without having to look up the lyrics in the liner notes.

There has been some major advances here in Todd's storytelling. The lyrics in "Beauty Queen" would make John Hiatt proud. "Drought of 2013" paints a stark reality of a world turned to dust, and "Peacemaker Blues" with it's Dylan-esqe feeling of "why can't we all just get along is fabulous." "Lost Child Astronaut" is haunting and beautiful; "Imaginary Ships" just makes you sway your head, especially once Todd starts wandering with the guitar. "Angela Dangerlove" is just a good rock ballad.

But it's not all mellow... "Dirty Juice" rocks, "Conquistadors" is killer, especially when cranked. "Love Transmission" still has that edgy, raw sound that earlier fans love, and "Come On (a more refined version from Riviera) is a good tune, however I appreciate it more when played live. See their new "Live at the Fillmore DVD." You'll see what I mean.

Quite simply, I'm glad that Big Head Todd and the Monsters are still doin' it! I've had 'Crimes of Passion' since first released, and it remains a constant play selection for me. Any BHTM fan that doesn't quite 'get' this CD needs to keep listening (while giving thanks that Todd and the gang have found a way to keep their fans in grace). 'Imaginary Ships' is one of their best ever. ....LOVE this CD and can't wait for the next one!

Crimes of Passion is awesome. I've been a BHTM fan since the early days in Boulder. The band has evolved to be sure, but Crimes of Passion is great effort. Honestly, it took me a listen or two before I really got into it, but there a few tracks on Crimes of Passion, especially Beauty Queen, that really have me hooked. I agree with the comments that this band is way underappreciated - if you haven't seen Todd play live you're missing a chance to see one of the greatest guitar players ever. Though, I have to admit I do like the fact that I can see them this Feb in a nice cozy place that only holds 500 or so!

I guess I can't say I'm a die hard fan because I don't love everything he does but I usually wind up getting it. I bought the cd at full price in a store which I never do anymore. Long story short, it's a very nice album that I think I will play on mellow and rainy days. I seem to love it on rainy driving days right now. It's not midnight raido or sister sweetly which are my favs. I go for the faster stuff and the long jams. But this has charm and for fans of blues and people that dig the slow stuff on stratagem then I'd reccomend it. It's towards the mellower vibey side but it's solid. Conquistidors rubs me the wrong way but I actually dig dirty juice which some other people on here have dismissed.

...but I do like this album a whole lot. It's kind of slow-groovy and soulful in parts and I found myself playing imaginary crimes till the end over and over and over. Took a drive through Massachusets to Williamstown and was heading west out to the thruway to go back to ny. It started to snow, hard but soft, lost child astronaut came on and it was magical, almost dreamlike while passing through the farm country which was quickley blanketed in white. I don't know, I have a feeling that I'll always remember that road trip when I play this album. I guess the best way I can tell a fan whether they'll like this album is to know what you like from the band and if it's not some slow sister sweetly types or slow stratagem stay away. The faster songs like conquistidors and dirty juice could be taken as bad blues songs. Stratagem, and Beautiful Mind both rubbed me the wrong way my first time, this did not. I'd love to hear some long jams or some new rock twists from the band but as long as they come back and do some soulful stuff like this I'll be happy.

I've been a BHT fan for some time. "Crimes Of Passion" is a definite change for the band. I like the shift in the style. "Dirty Juice" is interesting enough, but the song cycle really begins with "Beauty Queen". Nice guitar work throughout. "ICU in Everything" is one of the wildest things I've heard in awhile. Pick this cd up, you won't be sorry. I've had it in the player for a week now.

Robert Plant used to bemoan the fact that, when Led Zeppelin began touring in support of Led Zeppelin IV and they would play Stairway to Heaven, lots of people in the audience would be screaming for Whole Lotta Love. While none of the tunes on CoP will likely ascend to Stairway to Heaven's lofty status, it IS a solid album with an easily-discerned feel all its own, which definitely strays from the what BHT has offered up in the past. This album is quiet, introspective and offers up, in place of crunchy Kensington Line-esque riffs, very tight but loose playing and very earthy, "near" lyrics...if BHT's last few albums are party discs, this is post-party, next-morning hangover fodder. This can be a blessing and a curse; sometimes you want to blast off and sometimes you want to reflect and look within (or at least not exacerbate a migraine). It's a bit more restrained than, say, Broken Hearted Savior and Sister Sweetly, but it's got a right-beneath-the-surface smoke point that, for better or worse, never comes out and plays. A fine album which will surely grow on the listener; not the rule but rather the exception thereto.

You cannot expect a good band to pump out the same music like a factory from first album to last. Creative musicians explore, evolve, and fine-tune their craft over time. `Crimes of Passion' is an exploration... and evolution. However, it is an album clearly rooted in the music that Big Head Todd and the Monsters are known for.

Yes, they have played with some keyboard and, dare I say, loops on this album. However, it has been tastefully done. There is a little more `soul' added to this album ('Angela Dangerlove', 'ICU in Everything'). They include some down and dirty blues-rock tunes such as 'Dirty Juice', 'Conquistador', 'Come On' (bonus track from 'Riviera'), and 'Love Transmission'. Todd Park Mohr's vocals are more prevalent on this album as well as his story-telling lyrics in softer songs such as 'Drought of 2013', 'Beauty Queen', and 'Peacemaker's Blues' (which couldn't sound any more like Dylan!). Last but not least, the spacey groove of 'Imaginary Ships' - bound to be one of the most popular tracks on the album (if not their catalog).

Will this album rock you like Riviera?...maybe not always. Is it still essential Big Head Todd? ...you bet it is. Just give it a fair chance and I think it will impress you. And if you happen to catch the live performances of these tracks, you won't doubt it ever again!

Self proclaimed BHTM aficionado here. This is a very, very solid collection. Heavy on blues, but more importantly heavy on Todd's voice. If his vocals don't make you a believer here, well, you lack appreciation for the finer things. Is it just me or does this guy's voice age like a very fine wine? Not to mention his telecaster is in full effect once again on the blues tracks, evoking Stevie Ray in many ways. To summarize the types of tracks, there are 4 heavy blues tracks, with Love Transmission an obvious rocking standout. The remaining 6 vary from ballad to poppy college rock. Angela Dangerlove is soulful and pleading with Todd's lyrics, and has the quintessential lyrical craftsmanship we know BHTM for. ICU in Everything is a catchy experiment in poppy R&B remniscent of Prince, with outstanding percussion work by Brian Nevins. Imaginary Ships is unreal, albeit faux mainstream. Dripping with atmosphere is the rolling guitar in the background, and a canvas brushed heavily by raspy Todd vocals. It is both weary and hopeful. A must have for any Todd fan, or any person who respects what can happen when one of the greatest singers/songwriters/guitar players gets to make the music he wants to. It is both intelligent and steeped in the fluent style changes that are the hallmark of BHTM.