Richard Thompson | Hippies, Thugs and Heroes

Sixty years into a career that began with Fairport Convention and has since made Richard Thompson one of rock's most acclaimed songwriters, he continues to challenge himself. On "Hippies, Thugs and Heroes" he lets his subconscious take control, while a cast of old friends, false gurus, past versions of himself, and fictional characters are allowed to tell their stories.

The album moves effortlessly between moods and styles. It opens with the bright, Byrds-inspired folk-rock of "The Sorcerer's Apprentice", which draws on Thompson's own experiences with the spiritual movements and charismatic leaders of the 1970s. From there it continues to the energetic "Everybody's Stealing" and concludes with the blues-tinged "Stringer". Along the way, "Cocaine Walking, Booze Talking" features some of Thompson's most inventive guitar playing to date, where an intense, psychedelic solo section depicts a raw cast of dreamers and fortune-hunters in London.

The album was recorded live with Thompson's regular band – Taras Prodaniuk on bass, Michael Jerome on drums, David Mansfield on guitar and violin, and wife Zara Phillips on backing vocals – at Hobosound Studio in Weehawken, New Jersey. The recordings were completed quickly, often in just two to four takes, but the songs are based on detailed home demos, which allowed Thompson to put an even stronger personal stamp on the final result.

"Hippies, Thugs and Heroes" is both a rock album and a thoughtful examination of faith, identity, and the ideals people choose to build their lives around. Richard Thompson does not necessarily seek unambiguous answers – on the contrary, he embraces the unpredictable. The result is a vibrant and inspired album that shows that curiosity and the joy of songwriting are still intact, even after six decades.