Search - The Black Crowes :: Warpaint

The Black Crowes are BACK!

Richard Thompson | El Paso, Texas | 03/06/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It's Been 7 years, but we finally have some actual "New" Black Crowes material. Not alternate takes, cutting room floor scraps, or rejected songs from previous album projects. Ten All new Black Crowes songs (one cover). Warpaint is a good mix of what these guys do best: bluesy, country, southern rock music. You can definitely hear the influences of their predecessor's that they have been compared to: early Stones, the Faces, Allman Brother's, and even a little bit of those laid-back southern-California Eagles of the 70's. Yep, I'm giving it 5 stars. As a Long-time Black Crowes Fan, I can tell you, this is way better than their last album (Lions)!



Warpaint kicks things off with "Goodbye Daughters of the Revolution", a song that incorporates everything that the "traditional Black Crowes style" has to offer, at it's Bluesy, Country, Rockin' best. As soon as you get a few minutes into this opening track, you will start to smile and think "Damn, the Crowes are BACK!" Things keep going good thru "Walk Believer Walk". One of the heavier songs on Warpaint. More like "Black Moon Creeping" off So. Harmony. Heavy blues guitar and strong vocals by Chris. Speaking of the vocals, this album, as other reviewer's have already noted, has Chris' vocals right up front and very clean and clear. Nothing like the distorted vocals he had on some tracks from By Your Side and especially Lions.



"Oh Josephine" is a soft acoustic/electric number that harkens back memories of "She Talks to Angels" or "Angie" by the Stones. Has some great slide guitar work and piano accompaniment.



"Evergreen" has a real southern rock, Allman Brothers/jam feel to it. Swirling keyboards, guitars, and Chris' vocals spin together and meander along. A number of slower tempo breaks and some smooth electric guitar solos.



"Wee Who See the Deep" is another great classic sounding Black Crowes song with some great electric guitar work. This one's still growing on me.



"Locust Street", a quiet, slow, country sounding ballad. Nice tune.



"Movin' On Down the Line" is a medium tempo rocker, with some good electric guitar interplay between Rich and the new guy, Luther Dickinson.



"Wounded Bird" gets a little rowdy at times, but then mellows down again.



"God's Got It", the only non-original song here, written by Reverend Charlie Jackson.



"There's Gold In Them Hills" - this is a slow acoustic song which has kind of a story-line to it. Reminds me of Desperado by the Eagles, just without all the lush string arrangements.



The album closer, "Whoa Mule" - An acoustic folk song



Be Warned: This is not an album of "rowdy, raucous, rock `n roll" as the early Crowes leaned towards. It is a much more laid-back affair. More like Amorica too me. Remember how the style of "Ballad of Urgency, Wiser Time, and Descending" made you feel? Most of this album is like that.



About the line-up changes. Any band that's been around for over a decade is bound to have a few lie-up changes. In the Crowes 18 year history, they have more "former members" than actual band members now. Sven Pipien on Bass has been with them long enough to be considered a veteran. Their former, long-time keyboard player, Ed Harsh finally called it quits in 2006, and has formally been replaced by Adam MacDougall. On again, off again, lead guitarist Marc Ford left again in 2006 and has also been replaced by the former North Mississippi Allstars Luther Dickinson, who seems to be doing a great job. Casual fans won't even notice a difference.



I didn't think the Robinson brothers would ever get back together as the Black Crowes and do anything more than a reunion show or two, much less a whole new album! As a long-time Crowes fan from the very beginning. I am grateful for the new music.



Recommended. Now get out their, buy this disc and support the band.

"

Crowes return to Amorica

R. Hamilton | Oregon | 03/04/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"After two dismal outings (Lions and By Your Side), the crowes finally hit pay dirt again. A new direction, but with the same likability of Southern Harmony, Amorica, and Three Snakes. Strong music and lyrics. Mix of Southern rock, country, blues, soul. It's hard not to shake it when you hear Movin on Down the Line and God's got it (a cover). The slower songs, Oh Josephine, Locust Street, and There's Gold in them Hills all stand out. Whoa Mule is the best closer they've had since Descending on Amorica. The heavier songs are laced with funky interludes and great jams, great turns, great choruses. I found highlights in every song, and it will definitely make for a great live setlist."

Black Crowes return to the Blues

Pistachio Disguisey | Dallas, TX | 03/04/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"
Although the last two albums weren't horrible, they certainly didn't have the creative flair and originality that we've come to expect from the Black Crowes of the 90's.



Thankfully, Warpaint brings us back to what was once considered the norm: Folksy, Bluesy, Rocksy Music. In that order.



Warpaint doesn't rock out like Amorica, but it certainly doesn't droll along like By Your Side did. 'Goodbye Daughters of the Revolution' opens the album strongly and sets the stage for the remaining tracks, none of which struck me as "filler".



Although this isn't my favorite Crowes' album, every track is a good listen, and it opens the band to non fans and possibly a younger crowd. I'm not at all implying that Warpaint is commerical or Pop, just that it struck me as being more widely "listenable" than previous works.



Enjoy!"