Album review: Black Crowes' 'Before the Frost'

Mainstream rock acts such as veteran Atlanta outfit the Black Crowes typically find better fortune on the road than on the sales charts, so it's no surprise that in the last decade brothers Chris and Rich Robinson have focused more on the live experience -- both in performance and releasing recordings of various concerts -- than sequestering themselves away in a studio honing new material.

They get the best of both worlds on this set of new songs recorded earlier this year in Woodstock live, for the most part, in front of a hand-selected audience. Using the home studio built by the Band's drummer Levon Helm apparently inspired them to branch further than they characteristically have into the various tributaries of American roots music. Those explorations feed into the Southern rock that remains at the center of the Black Crowes sound.

"Good Morning Captain," the lead-off track, taps the same kind of big-footprint backbeat and raucous interplay that Helm and his cohorts did so well. The Robinsons -- who are joined by the band's original drummer, Steve Gorman, plus guitarist Luther Dickinson, bassist Sven Pipien and keyboardist Adam MacDougall with guest assistance from multi-instrumentalist Larry Campbell -- move through a range of classic-rock reference points: Creedence-like swamp-rock, Tom Petty-ish Americana, Motown-style psychedelia and, in "Make Glad," an experiment in Southern prog-funk.

There are examinations of rootlessness ("What Is Home," "Houston Don't Dream About Me"), the price musicians pay for so much time spent getting from here to there and one heartfelt meditation on the struggle for connection ("Last Place That Love Lives"). These guys still come up with meaty riffs for fans of guitar-driven rock, but also leave themselves plenty of room to stretch out in jam-band excursions.

"Before the Frost . . . " comes with a code that allows purchasers to get a free, download-only companion album, " . . . Until the Freeze."

--Randy Lewis

The Black Crowes 
"Before the Frost ..."
Silver Arrow/Megaforce 
Two and a half stars

Comments

[Eli]

love it, love it, love it, love it, love it, love it, love it, love it, love it, love it, love it, love it, love it, love it, love it, love it, love it, love it, love it, love it, love it, love it, love it, love it, love it, love it, love it, love it, love it, love it, love it, love it, love it, love it, love it, love it, love it, love it, love it, love it, love it, love it, love it, love it, love it, love it, love it, love it, love it, love it, love it, love it, love it, love it, love it, love it, love it, love it, love it, love it, love it, love it, love it, love it, love it, love it, love it, love it, love it, love it, love it, love it, LOOOOOOVE IT.

[HeatherKS]

I'm thrilled with this album. I've been enjoying it from the first note of "Good Morning Captain" through multiple playings of "Until the Freeze." I had not checked the credits but it makes sense that Levon Helm was involved; I heard the influence of The Band throughout.
The Crowes are fabulous live. I just saw them in July and the show was great. They only played one song off this new album; I hope I can catch them live when they focus on this album.

[kevin]

two and a half stars this guy is an idiot incredible album

[richard]

What a horrible review of such a great album. Amateur Randy also forgot to mention that the vinyl version included all of the tracks from both the CD and the download, but in a slightly different and more logical order. Highly recommended in this format if you've got the player.

[rob eldridge]

two and a half stars???? are you educated beyond the third grade? this album is spectacular!!! if the allman bros released this collection of gems they'd most likely get the 5 star. readers pls understand when i tell you this cd is pure genius in ever sense of the word. it's captivating, earthy, warm, timeless and invokes so many life experiences. this is best record from the states since wilco dropped "being there". mr. lewis must have been left in the garden "...after the frost".

[Scott]

I love every note of this record. Its a wonerful mixture of "The Band" and "Little Feat". Its a must have for the true feathered fan.

[Jay]

This guy should be back to reviewing Christina Agulera albums...must be the same guy who reviewed Warpaint and never even heard it...just used a different name

saw the Crowes last night in Asbury Park, NJ - amazing.....if you aren't sure about buying - go to the website where you can hear the songs...........if you have pulse and love rock n roll, you will buy

[Mark Smith]

After nearly 20 years, the Crowes’ 8th studio record hits us and gives us a refreshing smile. This delightfully adds to their outstanding material and does not disappoint in the least. That bluesy southern rock sound is as impressive as ever and is even expanded upon with country and folk-like themes. It comes as an 11 song disk, and 9 additional free tracks are downloaded off their website. The funny thing is that the later 9 are just as good as the others! There is a handful of songs that you can’t stop putting on repeat. Full of rich melodies, the music is truly outstanding and is performed brilliantly – a crowning achievement.

[Kathy]

2.5 stars? Is this critic on crack or is he just a moron? People have terribly underestimated this band throughout its career. Their debut easily received the most acclaim, but it was just that- a debut- a taste of a legendary, phenomenal band. Everything they have done has been excellent, and this is just as strong as anything. It's right up there with Southern Harmony and Amorica. A true fan will love it, and the casual listener will appreciate it as well. Sadly, there are far too many "casual listeners" out there.

[David Levine]

Im a surfer from the north shore of hawaii,And Yes,were still stuck in 70s,But thats good thing.And as lay down here after surfing,Im listining to the new Black Crowes CD
The Song, ,Been a Long time, Its unreal.Such FreeStyle.
If Your a Funk master in the water.You will love this tune.
Good work Black Crowes.Good luck Chris and Rich.

[warrenow]

this guy must be a huey lewis or lady gaga fan . this albums
is great . people who dont use pitch control and can play
musical instruments, other than a computerized keyboard , seemed to get
marginalized in today f-up music world .