CD reviews: Willard Grant Conspiracy – Pilgrim Road – Review

Hushed, haunting and lushly orchestrated, this is alt.country, but not as we know it. Shot through with religious imagery, the lyrics are as portentous as the music, but whether Conspiracy leader Robert Fisher is on the side of righteousness or flirting with darkness is continually up for negotiation: “Where is my pound of silver?” … “Let God and the devil wrestle for souls” … “I’ve lost you along with my faith” – Pilgrim Road is less a collection of songs than a struggle between good and evil played out on disc. The weighty nature of the music held within makes it tough going, but for those willing to follow, Pilgrim Road points the way to both salvation and damnation. And you can’t say that about many CDs.

FROM: Think/Southbound/US
GENRE: Fire ‘n’ brimstone alt.country
MUSIC: 3.5 stars
SOUND: 3.5 stars

RICHARD BETTS