Citizen Cope - The Clarence Greenwood Recordings

You see, I had to wait until Silent Uproar removed their Citizen Cope interview before I submitted my review for the sake of being critically consistent. Should you desire to read this interview, please visit the archives found under the “Interviews” heading. I’ve also been listening to this album for a while without formulating a written opinion because I haven’t quite formed an opinion I’m willing to defend. Citizen Cope’s music isn’t novel nor is his genre blending. But, his delivery is transitional and comfortable. And that’s not easily accomplished. Soulful, bluesy, haunting, prophetic, and eclectic are all adjectives used to describe The Clarence Greenwood Recordings. But, I think crafty fits best. The Clarence Greenwood Recordings distinctly juxtaposes guitar and piano so that seductive and addictive hip-hop rhythm patterns are created. Citizen Cope’s gruff nasal infused vocals are both mysterious and honest at the same time. One opinion I’m willing to defend is that The Clarence Greenwood Recordings cannot be justified in writing. The album needs to be emotionally felt and digested before any real judgement can surface. [www.citizencope.com]