Great Crusades - Keep Them Entertained

by Helen Tipping

published: 18 / 2 / 2008

Label: Glitterhouse Records
Format: CD

Angry and energetic sixth album from Chicago-based band, the Great Crusades

Review

'Keep Them Entertained' is the sixth album from the Great Crusades, and is far more rocky / punk than the previous album of theirs which I reviewed for Pennyblackmusic – 'Welcome to The Hiawatha Inn'. Sadly I’ve missed out on album number five, 'Four Thirty', which was apparently bluesier, but this latest record is definitely a move in a new direction. Brian Krumm’s voice is as gravelly as ever, and this album is still reminiscent in sound of early Nick Cave before he turned to balladeering. There’s a real rockabilly sound and it’s a really lively album. It still deals with the darker side of life - child abuse, wife beating, lost love and suicide, but also the seamy advertising that pervades bill boards and the backs of buses with 'Sex Sells'. I don’t, however, sense the sadness that was prevalent on 'Welcome to Hiawatha Inn'. There’s anger and excitement and energy, all of which adds up to a great album.

Track Listing:-

1 Christina Flatbush
2 Broken Umbrella
3 On a Fast Moving Train
4 Forgiven for an Hour or Two
5 Paradise (At The Petite Four)
6 Sex Sells (So I'll See You in Hell)
7 Keep Them Entertained
8 I Don't Remember
9 Demolishin a Bottle of Wine
10 Why'd You Have to Do This to Me?
11 The Bucket of Blood
12 The Moon Cried Don't Do It