Chris Robinson Brotherhood floats on waves of breezy pop

Chris Robinson Brotherhood (Courtesy)

Janira Robinson

His vocals often sound as if they were tracked in a field of daisies, sunshine warming his blood, as opposed to any kind of traditional recording studio.

Black Crowes frontman Chris Robinson giving lusty, howling voice to that band’s blustery, blues-informed rock ’n’ roll.

But on “Phosphorescent Harvest,” the latest album from his side band the Chris Robinson Brotherhood, he channels the poppier, more psychedelic side of his record collection.

Songs like “About a Stranger,” a plaintive acoustic love letter, and “Jump the Turnstile,” with its dizzy organ trills, float by as if propelled by a mild summer breeze.

And then there’s the mood-enhancing strum of “Clear Blue Skies &The Good Doctor,” which opens with some cheerful whistling, naturally.

“If the song you sing can’t make you happy, you’ve really got the blues,” Robinson notes on the tune in question.

Clearly, he isn’t speaking of himself.

Contact reporter Jason Bracelin at jbracelin@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0476. Follow on Twitter @JasonBracelin.