“ **** Robertson’s Grand Return...hypnotic” – Rolling Stone “a dozen songs that address aging, disappointment, and hope, often gracefully...[Robertson’s vocals are] thoughtful, as intimate as an Elliott Landy photograph.” – The New Yorker "Robertson returns with his seductive powers in full effect.” ( 3 1/2 stars of 4 ) – People “If ever there was an album that was well worth a long wait, Robbie Robertson's fifth solo album is the one...a personal, at times even autobiographical, story set to the type of sonically rich soundtrack that we have come to expect from Robbie Robertson's solo work.”– NPR “Parade Picks: Robertson’s first album in more than 10 years is a rousing journey through his storied rock career…” – Parade “Robbie Robertson...is a virtuoso teller of other people’s tales. On ‘How to Become Clairvoyant,’ his first solo disc in 13 years and his best since his self-titled solo debut, Robertson excavates his own history for the first time. ‘Clairvoyant’ is as close to a musical autobiography as it’s possible to get.” – Washington Post “triumphant...’Clairvoyant’ is just his fifth solo release since 1987, but it's worth the wait.” – Associated Press “ **** a deeply personal collection of 12 tunes, bolstered with performances by Clapton, Steve Winwood, Robert Randolph, Trent Reznor and Tom Morello...This soulful record is Robertson’s best yet.” – Goldmine "this will fit onto plenty of 'best of' lists for 2011." - Vintage Guitar “The set is an enveloping mix of melody, mood and texture that speaks to Robertson's triple-threat virtues as a performer, composer and producer.” “Artist of the Day” – PasteMagazine.com “**** twelve tracks that wade in soulful atmospheric moods and personal lyrical introspection” – AmericanSongwriter.com “For all of the now-legendary songs that Robertson penned, he tended to shy away from writing about himself, which makes the revealing nature of his first album in more than ten years such a wonderful surprise. How To Become Clairvoyant finds Robertson tackling personal topics such as his breakup with The Band (‘This Is Where I Get Off’), the guitarists who inspired his innovative sound (‘Axman’) and his early days backing Ronnie Hawkins (‘When the Night Was Young’).” – Relix “his best work since his eponymous solo debut...Robertson's most personal and prophetic effort to date” – Blurt-Online.com “a gem... highly personal songs written with compelling honesty.” “ 3 ½ stars Robertson’s voice, a smoky, weathered baritone that can offer narratives so intimate they make the flesh crawl, can pull the listener directly into the mini-films that are his songs, can break the heart with one achingly delivered, painfully phrased couplet.” – Buffalo News “Robertson delivers a solid, revealing collection of songs that dwell on memory and longing, ghosts and regret. It is the most sustained, coherent album he’s released as a solo artist.” – Jambands.com “Robbie Robertson has experienced many creative triumphs in his day, and it’s great to share another one with him...” – Elmore Magazine “On his first solo album in 13 years, Robbie Robertson reflects on the breakup of the Band, the dashed hopes of the '60s, love lost and mistakes made. It's the reflective work of a veteran, cloaked by the shadow of mortality... It's a most understated comeback, but no less welcome for it.” – Vancouver Sun “From the first track, the streetwise ‘Straight Down the Line,’ to finish, Clairvoyant is classic, bluesy rock...Some rock legends are content to phone it in—not the case for 67-year-old Robertson. It’s been 40 years since he lamented ‘The Shape I’m In,’ and today we find him in as fine a form as ever.” – Indian Country Today
“Like Bob Dylan, Robertson’s one of those artists who talks— or snarls— as much as he sings, but it’s always in a low-slung, sexy way that makes you want to lean in closer to hear what he’s saying. A bit of mystery hangs around the edges of his songs. He remains a spare wordsmith, needing only a few choice phrases to express his point and create a mood...” – HitFix.com “It's a rootsy, guitar-oriented disc, featuring Robertson's soft growl and…his most personal record, too.” – Minneapolis Star Tribune “ 4 stars...his best solo album since his 1987 self-titled debut... standouts include the nostalgic look back at a generation ‘When the Night Was Young;’ the spiritually-flavored opener ‘Straight Down the Line;’ the tale of excess and self-destruction ‘He Don’t Live Here No More;’ the vocal duet with Clapton on the easy breeze of ‘Fear of Falling;’ and Robert’s tribute to guitar heroes of the past ‘Axman,’ which features some impressive guitar work from Morello.” – Springfield Republican/MassLIVE.com “ * * * out of four stars…The songs in which Robertson reflects on his life and career make for compelling listening, particularly ‘This Is Where I Get Off,’ which addresses his departure from the Band. There's also a nice balance between the wistful ‘When the Night Was Young,’ a tender recollection of '60s idealism, and ‘He Don't Live Here No More,’ an unsparing account of Robertson's darker side.” – Detroit Free Press “not to be missed: ‘This Is Where I Get Off,’ a soulful ballad about Robertson’s departure from the Band. A-“ – Cleveland Plain Dealer “How to Become Clairvoyant is his best album in 20 years, a meditative piece on growing up and growing out.” – Cleveland Scene “The rock legend’s first solo album in over a decade is a triumph.” “saturated in rich, warm production, sonic flourishes, and ambient atmospheres. Despite a preponderance of guitars, this isn't a cooking session, but an uncharacteristically autobiographical song cycle that addresses not only Robertson's life and experiences, but those of his friends, heroes, and collaborators...The meld of nocturnal guitars, synthetically funky beats, and taut yet off-kilter melody create the musical backing for ‘He Don't Live Here No More...’” – AllMusic.com “ *** ½ ‘When the Night Was Young’… this pretty, wistful reminiscence finds the former Band man longing for the days when he hung out with ‘card sharks and grifters’ and thought he could change the world.” “triumphant” – Poughkeepsie Journal “one of Robertson’s strongest solo albums” – bigtakeover.com “Robbie...delivers such an abundance of texture, musically and otherwise, on ‘Clairvoyant.’” – Boston Herald "Rating: A The bottom line here is that Robbie Robertson has created one of the best albums of his career, and when that career includes playing with Bob Dylan and also a massively successful career with The Band, then that is saying something. How to Become Clairvoyant is simply brilliant." – ClassicRockRevisited.com “It doesn’t take much of a glance at the crystal ball to be able to predict good things from Robertson’s first solo album in over a decade, How to Become Clairvoyant.” – Campus Circle “Critic’s pick... what surfaces on Clairvoyant is a singular sound, one that mirrors the atmospheric designs of his early post-Last Waltz albums” – Lexington Herald Leader “his best and most personal yet... once Clairvoyant grabs you, it won’t let go.” –San Antonio Current “The standout here is ‘She's Not Mine’ with that bed of ambient noise and reverse guitars.” – HoustonPress.com “How To Become Clairvoyant is Robbie Robertson’s most personal, and finest solo album.” – Popdose.com “11 Most Anticipated Albums of 2011…Robbie Robertson – How to Become Clairvoyant – 4/5 The chief songwriting force behind The Band says he is dropping a new album we listen. When he puts out a really good lead single we get excited. The cherry on top are the reported guest spots from Eric Clapton, Steve Winwood, Robert Randolph and Trent Reznor.” – merchantsofrock.com |
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