This Magnificent Distance

Chris Robinson | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 29, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Vector Recordings
• ASIN: B000294TWO
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (38 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #64,034 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lyrically and Instrumentally Mesmerizing, July 12, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: This Magnificent Distance (Audio CD)

A fantastic, innovative album. Chris Robinson and Paul Stacey prove to be an extremely formidable songwriting tandem on This Magnificent Distance. The influences of predecessors from CSNY, The Allman Brothers, Dylan and circa '72 era Stones and acoustic Zeppelin, can be felt at different junctures throughout the album, but the material NEVER feels derivative or dated. Robinson's vocals are exceptionally soulful, matching the unequalled inspiration and introspection of his lyrics. This album is so full of vocal inspiration, layered instrumental nuances, and lyrical gems... that you lose track of the particularly inspired moments.

There is a great structure to the songs, and they fit together well conceptually as an album. A nice balance exists among the tracks between mellow ponderings and churning rockers, and Stacey's fingerprints are everywhere filling even the more somber tunes with some interesting leads. Between the themes, the phrasing of Robinson's vocals, the lyrical beauty, and the instrumental machinations... the album evolves into a poetic journey for the listener who values Robinson's insights.

Particularly noteworthy: Surgical Glove (sounds like a mix of Dylan and Exile era Stones); Train Robbers has been aptly described as a Spaghetti Western put to music; When the Cold Wind Blows... and Girl on the Mountain are both atmospheric treasures; and the trio of Surgical Glove, Sea of Love, Piece of Wind transition the album to a powerful conclusion.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Doin' his own thang ...., June 29, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: This Magnificent Distance (Audio CD)

I pre-ordered this disc and man, I am glad I did. I must have listened to it half dozen times already today. The band is tight and Chris' vocals (and lyrics) are right on. As mentioned in one of the other reviews, The New Earth Mud touches several genres of music here, while at the same time adding their own funky surrealistic flavor to make a style all their own (check out the song "Mother of Stone" ... awesome!). This Magnificent Distance seems like a natural evolution from Chris' days in the Black Crowes. And, as the first New Earth Mud cd demonstrated, Chris is staying true to himself by doing his own thing which makes it virtually impossible to place this music in a neat little box. And for that, I respect him and will continue to buy his music. I just wish they would have maybe thrown in a bonus version of "Sugaree" ... they do an INCREDIBLE version of that live! Oh well, maybe we'll see that on the live disc. Peace.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars No words to describe, June 30, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: This Magnificent Distance (Audio CD)

What an amazing disc, i just wish more of the music world knew about this disc. I think this could easily be the best disc of the last 2 years, and would r tell anyone they need to pic it up. Thier are so many jamming cuts on here 40 Days, Eagles on the Highway, If you See California, Never Empty Table, and Train Robbers are all stand out cuts. Do yourself a favor and pick this one up.