Black Crowes - Before The Frost... (2009)

now looking for ...Until The Freeze

FINALLY. Cripes I looked all over for this last week. I think it's out Tuesday no?

Is this the real thing?

These guys are still together?

I saw them live about 8 months ago because some friends were going. I didn't think I'd really like the show but, what the hell, right? Much to my surprise they kicked ass. Good to see those guys keeping it real.

This is pretty damn good BTW.

Any A.Rod dis tracks on this?

I haven't treaded. Good to hear. The "Shake" and "Companion" were long time favorites for me and only certain great tracks thereafter. I've read good things about this reunion. And, btw that c robinson solo was horrible.

I'm curious, its been a while since I've dug their records but I heard they recorded this at Levon Helm's place in woodstock...

Oh god. Maybe one decent track, the rest just not good at all.

btw...I found this earlier today, but now it's gone.

I decided to wait until Tuesday to pick it up.

Song and a half in, and I like so far (though these lyrics are perhaps best left unscrutinized)... but I like this already enough that if it stays on the right track I could see this entering the rotation.

- Somewhere around song 8 ("Houston...") it begins taking a turn downhill. Hmm. Chris's voice sounds like a 60 yr old chainsmoking post-menopausal woman at points.

- What's with the hand claps after every song? It doesn't sound like it was recorded live so... guh?

- This makes me realize how much I get to missing good old fashioned musical competence sometimes. It's nice to hear someone rip into a clean, well-executed, tasteful guitar solo goddammit. None of this indie noodling... nice to hear 'ol Rich rip into a telecaster through a marshall and put some stank on it. Not that I want to forsake experimentation entirely, but it's a nice balance to swing back this way once in awhile. Even on songs that aren't sucking me in, I can still tip my hat to the fine guitar / pedal steel work going on.

Upon second listen, I'm claiming that opening track, Good Morning Captain, as my official theme song.

Actually, I think it was recorded before a live audience.

Oh shit. The last song sounds like it was, for sure, but it also sounds very different from the others (vocals). I'm curious to find out, now.

Rich's guitar tone makes things happen in my pants.


I cannot think of anyone right now off the top of my head who sounds better.

this new album is easily the best stuff they've done in years

Swung a leg over the seat this morning, qeued this up on the ipod, and enjoyed the hell out of it as I sliced my way out of Cambridge.

Yeah, I'm really like the new Crowes a lot.

Ol' New Earth Mud. I saw them open for Gov't Mule about 5 years ago. Remember it being pretty jammy. Saw the Crowes the next year opening for Tom Petty and it was a hit factory, then again the next summer at the shed that used to be in Nashville when they had the stage set that was basically a shroom paradise and they were a bonafied shroom-fried jamband.

FWIW, I really think that the addition of Luther Dickinson has been great for the band. New blood and all that.

There is something qualitatively different about this new one. It's hard to put a finger on it, but it seems...lighter, more effortless that the last few. Like it really is a brand new band who don't even have to try.