In August 2012, Baroness were in a bus crash that seriously injured frontman John Baizley and led to the departure of their drummer and bassist. As one would expect, fallout from the incident inevitably bleeds into this Georgia rock band’s subsequent album. (“I needed a surprise,” “I’m born again” and “Unclose your eyes,” Baizley sings.) But Purple is far more life-affirming than its title suggests. With the boldest, most pulsating melodies Baroness has ever recorded—interspersed with some introspective keyboard interludes—Purple is the band’s masterwork.
Score: 10 out of 10
Baroness
Purple
Abraxan Hymns
Producer: Dave Fridmann
