Search - Black Crowes :: Amorica

WHY this is essential Crowes

Charles A Galupi | Euless, Texas | 05/01/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"No, it didn't sell millions. No, it didn't have a nice, radio friendly hit exactly. But this album contains some of Chris Robinson's best lyrics... heck, some of the best lyrics EVER put on a rock and roll record! And Chris sings every note, every word with the right amount of sass or soul or lilt or power to get his point across. And the band delivers some of the best music it ever put to tape to help him do that. Drugs would destroy Marc Ford on the next record, but he shines on this one, along with Eddie Harsch's brilliant keyboards (the organ intro on "She Gave Good Sunflower" and the beautiful piano work on "Descending", he can do it all), Steve Gorman's driving drum work (don't kid yourself, he is to this band what Charlie Watts is to the Stones; listen to "Wiser Time": yes, he does that ALL live, too) and Johnny Colt's thundering bass. And the man who does all the rest, the Keith Richards to Chris' Jagger, the criminally under-rated Rich Robinson... lordy, lordy, lordy. What a BAND!The songs veer a little between here and there. "Gone", "Conspiracy" and "High Head Blues" kick off the album with great sleazy giant guitar driven slabs (with a little Latin backbeat on "Gone" and "High Head"), then lad into the slower "Cursed Diamond" and sad, reflective acourstic "Non Fiction" (better that that "angels" song they play on the radio, both of them) then into the playful "Sunflower", the talk box driven "P.25 London", and the crowning point of the album, "Ballad In Urgency" which slides into "Wiser Time". These two songs are woth the price alone. When CR cranks up for the screaming chorus on "Wiser" ("And on a good day/ I know it's not every day/ We can part the sea/ And on a bad day/ I know it's not every day/ Glory beyond our reach")you WILL find youself shouting yourself hoarse right along with him EVERY TIME. And then the album ends with the playful blues ala Taj Mahal of "Downtown Money Waster" and the shimmeringly beautiful "Descending."It's not a dark record like Southern Harmony is, but it's not as light as Money Maker... this is the Black Crowes Rocks {Aerosmith} or Exile on Main Street {Stones}. This is the Crowes at their sleazy, gritty best."

Amorica's "Divine Spark" Has Blinded Me!

Derek G | Wishaw, Scotland | 10/30/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Let me firstly state before I commence this review that, in spite of having listned to Hard Rock music for over twelve years now, I have only recently delved into this band's discography. Obviously, I had been aware of the group's presence but for some peculiar reason I never showed an interest in them. I was fortunate enough to pick up a copy of their "By Your Side" CD at my local library, which I took out on loan for a duration of two weeks. This CD I deemed impressive, and as a direct result of "By Your Side", I am gradually buying all of the band's albums.Without sounding both exaggerative and obsequious, "Amorica" is exemplary. It does, however, take several attentive listens before one can appreciate its class; it is, indeed, an emotional journey - predominantly angry and painful. The album opens with "Gone", for me the most impressive - and heaviest - song on the entire album. This song immediately hits the listener like a freight train, and you've got to admire the clever amalgamation of musical influences on this song. The song, for me, sounds like a blend of psychedelia and Hard Rock, with Latin American undertones; the maracas and hanclapping at the song's introduction strongly evoke these Latin American feelings, and Marc Ford's spellbinding guitarwork is, amazingly, evocative of all three influences. The album's next song, "A Conspiracy", is another strident rocker, which utilises a "wah wah" guitar pedal to urge the song forward. These opening two songs showcase The Crowes' ensemble in full flight.The next nine songs which complete the odyssey that is "Amorica" are full of twists and meanders, oscillating between soft, soulful singing to loud, incendiary bellows. My personal favourites from this particular cluster of songs are "Nonfiction", "Wiser Time" and the beautiful "Descending" ( featuring great piano work and, for me, Chris Robinson's finest vocal performance to date )."Amorica" has the ability to make the listener feel bewildered yet certain; dejected yet elated. The album's energy and ambiguity will leave you tired and confused, and at the same time leave you in awe. Please, under no uncertain terms, don't give up or judge this album upon the the first few listens as it will probably take weeks before the album wins you over.Finally, I would like to state unequivocally that "The Black Crowes" are the "only" band who keeps the Hard Rock/Blues flame ignited. They make Oasis, Stereophonics, Manic Street Preachers, Reef etc, look amatuer. If your looking for an album with diversity, insight and professionalism, then "Amorica" is yours to embrace."