Review Summary: Chris de Burgh’s finest album and a fine specimen of pop rock.
Singer/songwriter Chris de Burgh is perhaps more known as a devoted Liverpool FC fan and of course for his 1986 hit “The Lady in Red”. Even though both are interesting facts, neither does full justice to the artist and his ability to write effective pop rock melodies. Sure, the tag pop rock might be enough reason for putting this album aside; for me more often than not it is. Nevertheless, as Fleetwood Mac have proven with
Rumours, a well crafted pop rock album can be a very satisfying experience.
Crusader is by no means on
Rumours level but how many albums are? Released four years after the career defining
Spanish Train and Other Stories which included the beautiful “A Spaceman Came Travelling”,
Crusader is more varied, more consistent and overall a more gratifying experience than probably any album on Chris De Burgh’s discography.
The album’s centerpiece is none other than its title track which describes the story of Richard the Lion-Hearted and his battle against Saladin the king of the Saracens during his failed attempt to re-conquer Jerusalem. Divided into four “movements”, it’s Chris De Burgh’s crowning achievement and the track that lifts the whole album with its epic nature. Nevertheless, it’s not all about the title track as there is the vibrant “Carry On”, the passionate “Just In Time” and romantic songs such as “I Had The Love In My Eyes” and “Something Else Again”. The medieval/tender “The Girl with April in Her Eyes” is also one of the standout tracks. The overall atmosphere of
Crusader is mostly melancholic and mellow while the songs are very well crafted with memorable melodies and catchy vocal lines. If some of you get an Alan Parsons Project (APP) vibe it’s because almost all members of de Burgh’s band have participated in APP.
On the other hand, there are moments where the album becomes too mellow and sensitive for its own sake such as on “It's Such a Long Way Home” and “Old-Fashioned People”. In addition, the two shortest tracks “Quiet Moments” and “You and Me” tend to go a bit unnoticed as they’re awkwardly placed before and after “Crusader” respectively.
Overall, if you’re looking for some pop rock with few progressive tendencies and an epic scent feel free to check this album. If you’re in a mellow mood and looking for some soft but interesting music on a rainy day,
Crusader might just be the right choice for you.
