The Black Crowes - Warpaint

I haven't stopped listening to this album since it came out on Tuesday. Yes, unlike Maxim magazine, I actually listen to the albums I review. See this if you don't know what I'm talking about.

I think for some reason I forgot how much I really do like the Black Crowes. Their last album (7 years ago) was pretty bad. The last concert of theirs that I went to (also 7 years ago) was boring. Those were the lasting impressions I've had until now.

Warpaint brings the band back to their rock/blues/southern rock roots. It would have been a perfect 2nd album, squeezed right between their Stones-esque debut and the heavier Southern Harmony album, but it's a great return to form after a down-period.

The band has a new guitarist and keyboard player, but the Robinson brothers and the rhythm section are still intact so the sound is all Crowes. I've always loved Rich Robinson's guitar tone and this album is full of it. Check out "Walk Believer Walk". Some great slower tunes on this album as well. "Oh Josephine" is probably my favorite song on the album.

Where does this album rank among the rest of the BC discography? Here's a quick list of my favorites to not-so-favorites:

1. Southern Harmony & Musical Companion (1992) - Made me want to start a band.
   
2. By Your Side (1999) - The band's first "comeback" release (the album before this was AWFUL) and just full of pure rock and roll. The tour for this one was my favorite.
   
3. Shake Your Money Maker (1989) - I can't believe this album came out 19 years ago already.
   
4. Warpaint (2008) - Being listed at #4 on this list is really good.
   
5. Amorica (1994) - A decent album. Has some Santana flavors to it. "Wiser Time" is one of the best BC songs of all time.
   
6. Lions (2001) - This is the threshold of albums worth listening to. Lions is definitely loud, has some decent guitar-playing, but the songs themselves are a struggle. "Soul Singing" is a great song though.
   
7. Three Snakes and One Charm (1996) - Terrible album. I would have been happier if they had never released this one and had just gone 5 years without an album. Hated it.

Take a listen. Let me know what you think. It gets better the more I listen to it.