Black Crowes - Lions
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Free Music Notes for Lions
Free Music Review: Incredible!
Hit: 5 Stars
After the blockbuster release that was 'Shake Your Moneymaker,' an album that helped (along with Nirvana's Nevermind) to abolish the stronghold that hair-metal held on the masses, The Black Crowes pretty much faded from sight. Of course, they didn't break up, but they became somewhat less popular. Nontheless, the band had, and still does mantain a steady fan bases. However, with the band's 1999 release 'By Your Side,' that fanbase wavered. I haven't heard BYS personally, so I can't make a judgement on it. Despite the album, though, the Crowes still managed to pack venues, especially during their time touring as backing band for Jimmy Page. Maybe something rubbed off of Page onto the Robinson brothers, but no matter how it happened, the Crowes jumped back in 2001 with the powerful blues-rocker 'Lions.' But it's not just blues. The band blends their mastery of the style, with other types of music. Lions has a much more 'funky' element to it than the other Crowes records I've listened to.
Admittedly, on the first listen through, I didn't see anything special about it. I enjoyed the first three tracks, along with 'Cypress Tree' and 'Soul Singing,' but other than that, I felt the album was laboured, with far too many ballads dragging it down. Of course, that was after listening to it once on my discman so as to avoid listening to Supertramp on the four hour drive home from our vacation trip.
The album didn't begin to shine until my third listen, when I was actually able to slap the thing into my new JVC MX-J500 (reviewed on this site) and crank it up. Not only did the hard-rockers rock harder, but even the ballad songs began to grow on me. By the fifth listen, I had pretty much learned all of the lyrics and was singing along throughout the disc.
'Lions' is, from what I've heard so far of the Black Crowes discography, the strongest album lyrically. Chris Robinson goes from a fun heavy rocker to a soft and emotional ballad throughout the disc.
The album starts off with a riff, soaked in feedback (according to guitarist Rich Robinson, because all three of his amps were running at once). The drums come in, and then suddenly the feedback overtakes the actual riff. Rather than restarting the tape, Rich just stops for a quick second, and starts up again with the same riff. On my first listen, I thought that was pretty wicked. The song was 'Midnight From The Inside Out' one of the disc's stand-out tracks. That song is followed by 'Lickin',' the album's first radio single. Although it's probably not the best representative of the record on a whole, it's an excellent track - very fun with witty lyrics and a weird little chunky guitar riff throughout.
From there is 'Come On.' Although the song is rather pointless lyrically, it's just a real fun, bluesy song that sounds great. More superb guitar work from Rich Robinson makes it another highlight of the disc.
'No Use Lying' and 'Losing My Mind' are two powerful ballads that sum up a lot of relationships. One of the stronger tracks lyric-wise, Chris Robinson sings a very upfront chorus: 'There's no use lying/Because I've heard all your [noise] before/You've said your old line for the very last time/Don't want you 'round my back door.' Despite the ballad-like lyrics, the guitar riffs throughout the song are rather heavy, a little something that I though was rather cool. 'Losing My Mind' is yet another example of Chris's powerfully emotive lyrics: 'I love you, yes I love you/Even though I know I should stay away/Because I hate you, yes I hate you/Even though it looks like I'm going to stay. Another powerful ballad, and one of a few that round out this album quite well, despite my initial reaction.
From there, the album just keeps rocking hard. Though I won't go through each individually, I'll say that tracks 6 through 13 remain in the typical Black Crowes realm. 'Soul Singing' the B-side to 'Lickin' and the second single, is another one of the cool songs, with the Robinson boys taking on an element of gospel music for the chorus, and some fingerpicked guitar for the intro and verses. 'Miracle To Me' is another ballad, heartfelt, and even more powerful than the two found at tracks 4 and 5. From there, the album closes out on the heavy note. The final four songs are Black Crowes standards. Hard-rocking and fun blues-rock numbers. Especially 'Cypress Tree,' a song that has three different parts that are different from eachother. A softer beginning leads you into a false sense of security before it rocks out with a classic rock 'n' roll chorus.
'Lay It All On Me' is a perfect closer to what will easily find it's way onto the list of my favourite CDs of the year. It's yet another song that is a blend of ballads and rock.
Producer Don Was did an excellent job making the album sound polished, but without making it too glossy. The disc retains a cool feel, almost like it was recorded live - feedback and voices talking at points during the album was a cool touch. It's a very powerful album - at some times it's nothing more than good fun, but vocalist Chris Robinson has once and for all shown that he can write very emotional and serious songs.
The only problem I have with the disc is the lack of time between songs. Traditionally a CD gives about 3 or 4 seconds between songs to allow the listener to unwind after each song. 'Lions' runs continuously for 55 minutes (save for the pause at 6 seconds where Rich Robinson stops in order to stop the insane feedback), leaving the listener exhausted by the end.
But all in all, if you're looking for blues-rock, a genre that has been sadly lacking for the last ten years, then The Black Crowes latest outing, 'Lions' will certainly serve you well.
Free Music Review: MOTTS
Hit: 5 Stars
Chris and Rick Robinson of the Black Crowes have never been shy of wearing their hearts on their Rock n Roll sleeves proudly showing off their influences. The Rolling Stones (Keith not Mick), The Faces (Ronnie Wood not Rod Stewart), Humble Pie (Steve Marriot not Peter Frampton), and now after touring the states with Jimmy Page they have released Lions with a heavy Led Zeppelin Presence era feel to it.It may be clichéd, but for the Black Crowes it really has been a long strange trip. They completely startled the world with their 1990 debut Shake your Money Maker, and now in 2001 it looks like they are going to do it again with Lions. In the years in between they have released 4 very varied albums, both in critical acclaim and sales. They have been kicked off a worldwide tour with ZZ Top for not towing the Budweiser sponsorship line. Their story has ranged from the ridicules to the sublime, heady and dangerous, a line up of changing musician that would make Spinal Tap look stable, and sometimes thrillingly out of control. Musically its been peaks and troughs, but Lions finds them on the very crest of a wave.
On the opening track Midnight from the inside out Chris Robinson blares forth after the guitar feedback locks into a guitar chugging rhythm with an opening salvo of Here where angels never sleep / The waters dark and deep / and you breath molasses. The effect is excruciating, clammy, sweaty, exhilarating - all rolled into one. It sounds like Walking Street should do at midnight.
For its part in the proceedings, Lions is a wholly remarkable C.D, mostly recorded in rehearsals, so it has a very live sound. Right up there in your face, it captures the Black Crowes vitality and indubitable spirit from the heavy imagery of its psychedelic third eye lion head cover artwork to the bold grooves of Soul Singing, the uplifting evocation of Cosmic Friend, or the lingering refrain of the anthemic closing ballad Lay it all on me where the Robinson brothers really stretch out. The whole album has a rock solid groove that locks you in at the beginning, and doesnt let you out until the dying notes ripple from the guitars. It embraces the bands impure soul (in a very worts and all way) and gloriously ragged Rock n Roll. Its full of fervor and heart, reminding you why everybody falls so heavily for them the first time you hear them.
Producer Don Was sprinkles his magic over the tracks, but never taking away the roughness which is all part of the Crowes charm.
Lions are kings of the jungle, how very apt. A great Rock n Roll record, lets just hope that the Crowes stay on these rails.
Mott the Dog.
Free Music Review: The Black Crowes Come back again for the release of Lions
Hit: 5 Stars
Well I just saw the review page for the Black Crowes cd Lions, even though I have already gotten the Cd and I have been to the Tour Of Brotherly Love which featured The Black Crowes,Oasis,and SpaceHog.I went to the Boston,MA. Tweeter Center show on Monday June 11, 2001.And I can tell you that it rocked!! I didn't really know who SpaceHog was at the time but, they opened the show.They played for about a half an hour. 6:30pm to 7:00pm and then they left the stage.Then the sound people cane out and they were Playing Jimmy Hendrix over the PA system. Good choice. Then after they were setting up the gear, the huge OASIS banner was being raised up and, everyone cheered.I thought the band was comming out(to my supprise it was just a sign.)But the band hadn't come out yet. The time was about 7:30 and the lights went down. Everyone was chanting OASIS,OASIS,OASIS,OASIS. REMARKABLE!!Then the music was turned off and a country style Strawberry Fields forever was played really loud and, the band came out after the end of the song. The place went CRAZY.Oasis then played the standerd set for there tour and they played for 1:15 min.The set list Featured 1)Go Let It Out 2)Columbia 3)Morning Glory 4)Fade Away 5)Acquiesce 6)Gas Panic! 7) Cigarettes and Alcohol 8)Step Out 9)Slide Away 10)Champagne Supernova 11)Don't look Back In Anger 12)I am the Walrus.They played a great set. Then they got off at 8:45 and the sound people came back out and, were taking apart the oasis gear. And at 9:00 The Black Crowes came out. It got extreamly loud during there set.They played alot of songs from LIONS which is my favoret Black Crowes Cd.They opened up with Midnight From the Inside out and here is the rest of the set list.1)Midnight 2)Remedy 3)Greasy Grass River
4)Cypress Tree 5)Thorn In My Pride 6)Lickin' 7) Girl From A Pawnshop 8) Soul Singing 9) My Morning Song 10)Young Man, Old Man
11)Cosmic Friend. Then after they played there set Oasis, SpaceHog and, The Black Crowes came out and did the IGGY POP song DOWN IN THE STREET. It was great! During the Whole SHOW there was a great thunder storm that set an intamate setting for the band.The storm was dangerous!! But We didn't care if we got shocked by a lightning bolt!! It was the greatest night of my life!! And the show consisted 7 of the 13 songs off of Lions in the Crowes set! great to here all of the new songs!! Nice way to end the Tour Of Brotherly Love!! By the Cd!!It the black Crowes best ever to date!!
Free Music Review: Cosmic indeed
Hit: 5 Stars
Holy Cow! I wondered whether the crowes would ever rebound from their previous lack luster effort on By Your Side. Well, the answer is a simple yes. "Midnight from the Inside Out" is their best opener ever. Hard to describe, but it gets your attention with an incredible riff. "Lickin" explores new ground, not just for the crowes but everyone. Kinda dark and heavy, has some feedback, one of the weaker songs but it grows on you. "Come on"-great music, pretty weak lyrics. Riff in the chorus reminds me of Zep's "out on the tiles". "no use Lyin" is good, not great. Dark, pretty slow, and heavy. Then the album turns a corner with "Losin my mind", a great ballad with a sonic wall of sound for a chorus. After that, the crowes string together an unbelieve groove that goes the rest of the album. The songs emerge from darker undertones with "ozone mama"- groovy! Then "Greasy Grass River"- title says it all- maybe the best song on the album (riff reminds a little of Hendrix's "manic depression- yet very different.) "soul Singin" follows, the catchiest song on the album- great guitar work, great lyrics, great feeling, makes you wanna sing. "Miracle to Me"-beautiful, low key ballad. "Young man, Old man"- If you started dreaming with "Miracle to me", this will wake you up. White boys sounding like War (in fact, George Clinton stood in on this one live). Has an awesome groove at the end of the song. "Cosmic Friend"-three part song, starts out sounding like the Who, then into "ramble on" Zepplin, then into something much harder- it'll confuse you for a moment, but listen to it a couple times- it has a great chorus that befits the song's title. "Cypress Tree"-great lyrics and a damn solid song- the riff in the chorus will remind crowes fans of "No speak no slave." The album closes with "Lay it all on me"- sounds a little lennon like. It will leave you feeling satisfied. Overall, highly recommended.Free Music Review: Great From The Inside Out
Hit: 5 Stars
After By Your Side's regression to the catchy, hook-laden stylings of their debut "Shake Your Moneymaker", the Black Crowes return to further expand upon the boundless musical horizons they had so vividly opened up on "Amorica" and "3 Snakes" without totally abandoning the strait-edged blues rock sound of "Southern Harmony". The result is a career sampler of sorts; there are bits and pieces of every album, every stage of this amazing bands' career. I will now proceed to give this album the track-by-track rundown it deserves:1. Midnite From The Inside Out: Opens up the album with a slow psychedelic grind, full of squeally guitar feedback and trippy references. 9/10
2. Lickin: The albums' first single. Tries to be a rocker, but sort of falls flat. 6.5/10
3. Come On: Racous energy. Fun to listen to. 7.5/10
4. No Use Lying: Excellent. The vocals ooze genuine, sincere emotion. This song is a testament to the staggering depth of Chris Robinson as a wirter and lyricist. 10/10
5. Losing My Mind: One of several acoustic tracks. The Crowes are really opening up that side of their personalities on this album. A great song, nice harmonizing by Rich & Ed. 10/10
6. Ozone Mama: Very funky & bluesey. I like it. 8/10
7. Greasey Grass River: Could have been an outtake from Southern Harmony. Very cool. 9/10.
8. Soul Singing: The 2nd single. Check out the video. Aside from all that, this is one of the Crowes finest compositions. 10/10
9. Miracle To Me: My fav on the album. I copied down the lyrics and gave them to my girlfriend. Lovely in every way imaginable. 10/10
10. Young Man Old Man: Awful. Easily the worst song in the entire Crowes catalog.0/10
11. Cosmic Friend: Dazzling display of musicianship. Good lyrics too. 8/10
12. Cypress Tree: Another all-around good song. 8/10
13. Lay It All On Me: Simply beautiful. Great closer. 10/10
Overall Rating: 8.5/10