Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2451 in Digital Music Album
• Released on: 2009-08-31
• Running time: 6012 seconds

Customer Reviews

How rock should be
This album gives you an idea of what BOLD music should mean. Possibly their best since Three Snakes. Groovy and dark, sensitive and dreamy, pure Crowes all the way. The bonus album - Until the freeze - are somehow less focused, but more acoustic folk-oriented. Both are recorded in an intimate setting, with some rather unnecessary clapping between most of the songs. Through these 100 minutes the Crowes bring back to life every dream ever dreamt. Let's hope the double version (similar to the LP's) could be available as CD's as well. OK, I know, I'm oldfashioned. It's OK.

A huge sigh of relief
Let's get this out the way up front, 'Warpaint' was rubbish considering it was a Crowes album. I gave it four stars when I reviewed it but I can't stand to listen to it today and think two is as much as it should have gotten. So when I pushed play on this CD it was with huge trepidation. Whilst I accept I'm never going to hear a Black Crowes producing anything with the fire and spit of Southern Harmony or Amorica, I was praying for an album that was at least consistently good and didn't sound like it was thrown together.

I got what I was hoping for.

The opening track is a huge foot tapper, but unlike 'Warpaint' the groove is maintained throughout the majority of the album and it doesn't nose dive into the dirt having you reaching for the off button. You couldn't call it a full on rock n roll album like Harmony or Amorica, as the vibe is a massive dose of country and southern rock, but it doesn't sound particularly derivative or flat from the lack the fire a fuller rock n roll injection would have bought.

What I like about the album is probably also it's weak point. It is eclectic and will surprise you. It doesn't work AT ALL on the track 'I ain't hiding', and no matter how hard I try I can't stomach it. But that is a personal opinion. I also like how they decided to record it. I loved how it sounds like the band is right there in the room playing and it was only when I heard the crowd at the end of the first track did I remember it was largely done live. That REALLY works.

To sum up, this is an album for the long term fans. I wouldn't recommend new comers to start with this album but that isn't meant as a reflection on the quality of it. It's a really good album and you can hear that the new line up that was struggling to gel on 'Warpaint' has settled in together nicely.

Do I wish Marc Ford was still playing with them? Of course, what he bought to the sound was amazing, but does this album suffer as a result of his absence like 'Warpaint' did? Nope. Original, good quality country/ southern rock at it's best. One for the fans first and foremost, but worthy of the place it will take up next to the better albums in their back catalogue.

At long last, Black Crowes reach full potential
Whilst I own all the albums, I would never say that the Black Crowes are my favourites. Other than Shake Your Money Maker, in my opinion they have never realised their full potential. All the albums since have had their moments, but with this release they have made an absolute classic.
The guitar work throughout the album is superb. The solos do not seem separate but become part of each song. There is warmth throughout and they sound like they are really enjoying playing. However, it is the quality of the 20 songs that has meant that I have been continually playing both CDs in the car for two weeks now.
Unfair to list some songs over others, but must mention Greenhorn, Been A Long Time and Good Morning Captain as my current favourites.
Album of the year? Could be. Essential!