Cpr - Just Like Gravity

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Free Music Review: I think that now that I have found it, I will study it . . .
Hit: 5 Stars

It's probably also inevitable that the group's sound will be compared to Steely Dan, just because it's so slick and jazzy and because Raymond's fine keyboard work will probably appeal to fans of Michael Omartian. But that comparison doesn't do CPR justice either; their sound is their own.

Nevertheless CPR will almost undoubtedly have its strongest appeal to longtime listeners of David Crosby -- those who, like me, got hooked back in the days of CSN+/-Y (if not the Byrds) and have been waiting ever since for Crosby to realize fully the potential he showed on _If I Could Only Remember My Name_.

This is it, gang. If your favorite tracks on _CSN_ were "Shadow Captain," "Anything At All" and "In My Dreams," CPR is what you've been waiting for. I was blown away by CPR's first CD (and it's going to be a long time before they release any song I like better than "That House"). But if anything, _Just Like Gravity_ (their second studio CD, though they have a live one too) is even better overall.

There's not a weak spot or a visible seam anywhere on the thing. The writing -- music _and_ lyrics -- is textured and evocative throughout. James Raymond's voice has lost most of the "reedy" edge it had on the earlier CD. Raymond's songwriting has gotten even better; arguably the finest track here is the wry "Jerusalem," which he wrote all by his lonesome and performs on acoustic guitar and harmonica while the rest of the band gives him driving support. Crosby isn't slouching either, and he's got some wooden music on here that happens to be some of the best he's written in years. (I've quickly become a particular fan of "Climber.") And there just aren't all that many guitarists who can touch Pevar in all-around competence. (And _none_ of them are named "Stills." Heh heh.)

This band and this CD are _both_ the fulfillment of Crosby's potential _and_ a stunning group effort. There's no contradiction here (and no injustice in putting the matter this way): Crosby is at his best when he's in a group with other similarly gifted people and they can all play off one another in a way that CSN+/-Y have never done. This marvelous group effort _is_ what Crosby does best.

And of course all of his longtime listeners are glad he lived long enough to do it. His career path has been a little jagged owing to some major personal problems, but he's back on track and it's gratifying to see. We also, by the way, owe a grand "thank you" to Graham Nash, who has stood by Crosby through all of it and without whom the man probably wouldn't be here today.

And Crosby _still_ hasn't cut his hair.

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