Review CIRKUS PRÜTZ “Manifesto”

“Manifesto” is the new album from blues rocker Cirkus Prütz. The band is the brainchild of bass player Jerry Prütz and the line-up also includes Christian Carlsson (The Quill), Franco Santunione and Per Kohlus. The four of them have recorded ten songs rooted in blues and classic rock.

The blues endeavour begins with ‘White Knuckle Blues’, which is a powerful start to the album. Breathing in the spirit of ZZ Top, the opener spreads pure joy and is a song that creates a great vibe. It doesn’t take long for the song to unfold its addictive power and you’re immediately caught up in the album. I mentioned ZZ Top and it is their sound that provides the blueprint not only for the opener.

However, Cirkus Prütz have a broader approach to music, which is reflected in the upbeat ‘Handyman Boogie’, while there is some classic rock echoing in ‘Walking in the Rain’, followed by the stomping ‘The Blues is the Cure’. Getting this far into the album’s tracklist, one might wonder about the excellent sound. Well, it is now less that Peter Tägtgen (Pain, Hypocrisy) who has given the album the dynamic and very vivid sound that this kind of music deserves.

“Twenty4seven Blues” is a throbbing blues-rocker that is kept at a moderate pace, while “Highroller (Try me Out)” is an accomplished fusion of blues and rock.

“Water Into Wine”, that’s what we all want and here we get at least the soundtrack for such a miracle. The song is the last one on the album and is a slow and blues-soaked closer. It is like a musical mirage as you can feel the desert heat slowing everything down. Nevertheless, you move on, fascinated by the hypnotic mood of this song, which ends an excellent blues-rock album.

Cirkus Prütz may not be a band name you associate with blues rock. But this band from Sweden delivers great songs with a lot of heart and soul. This album is a great energiser and entertains from the first to the last note. Well done boys.