Review Summary: Leave your expectations at the door and this record may surprise you.
How much music is disregarded due to a lack of objectivity? How many artist are held prisoner to albums they have made at an earlier time in their career? We charge Clapton with the crime of making an album that isn't Disraeli Gears or Layla. The fact that the album is a completely different genre, is of no consequence in our analysis of whether or not the artist executed this new approach adequately. Actually, that’s not true, if anything we have a tendency to hold it against them. The music therein must automatically be flawed if its lacking the trademark shredding solos we loved so dearly in his previous efforts. So, am I charging rock fans with the crime of having shallow horizons? No, that also wouldn't be fair. People should be able to hold fast to a particular genre if they so please and dismiss an artist who abandons that sound. However, it begs the question: Are we missing out on some great music as a result of this "failure by principle" mentality? That's really only a question you can answer and in order to find that answer you would have to listen to the music yourself.
Pilgrim isn't Cream. It isn't Derek & The Dominos and it certainly isn't John Mayall and the Blues Breakers. If you come into this album expecting that much, then you will surely be disappointed. The guitar virtuoso doesn't routinely break out into Blues inspired solos– instead, you will hear some tasty licks that complement rather than distract you from the theme of the song. Clapton is calculated and methodical throughout. I think he carries this approach partially because the songs call for it, and partially because he has already proven himself. His interest at this point in his career is to envelop the listener in the musical world he has created. Throughout his career, Clapton has always worn his influence and appreciation on his sleeve. Whether it be B.B. King or J.J. Cale, Clapton isn't solely captured by their guitar mastery, but by their skillful songwriting. Although these artist have a distinctive approach and sound, they do have one thing in common: they are servants of the song. Clapton treats this approach as gospel.
So, what will you hear on Pilgrim? Well, its quite a concoction of sounds. Clapton does play a bit of a mad scientist here and blends together sounds from R&B, as well as Pop music that is in the vein of Peter Gabriel and Phil Collins. However, Clapton still finds a way to keep the guitar as a focal point in the music, albeit a subtle one. The music on Pilgrim is somber as the inspiration for this record was the loss of his father and his four year old son. With that being said, this conglomeration of genres may not have been the ideal recipe for an album that deals with such heavy loss. The tone of this album is a mellow one and at times the subject matter of the record is lost on the listener. It is a well-suited lazy Sunday listen and the gut-wrenching subject matter is largely only realized when you pay close attention to the lyrics. In short, this album is an enjoyable one; it may not be as groundbreaking as his earlier work in terms of traceable influence, but as a stand alone record it is a quality release from one of the all time greats.
Like all records, Pilgrim does sport some stand out tracks, but the subtlety of this album is its calling card and I would be remiss to direct you to these specific songs as they are merely the building blocks in a structure that has to be digested as a whole to truly appreciate the ambience that Clapton projects. It may be a difficult task separating the rock gods previous triumphs from the clear divergence that is Pilgrim, but it is an endeavor that would prove to be rewarding for those seeking a smooth Sunday listen.
