This album was a breath of fresh air in a period that had hard rock / hair metal being pushed aside by grunge. Along come the Robinson brothers with their blues-base true-rock record.
A real classic. This was already one of my favorites. It is full of great roots rock. She Talks to Angels is an all-timer
This was a very important album for me. I bought it right when it released and listened to it constantly. I also saw them on this tour, at a small club in Oakland called The Omni. Sadly, not around any more. They are an amazing live band. I've always loved how loose and bluesy this album is. It definitely deserves to be on this list.
One of my favorite albums, from one of my favorite groups. Not to mention one of the best debut albums
Safe for Hard to Handle, I had no idea this band was a thing and loved being able to find hard, bluesy rock in the 90's as opposed to having to travel in time to Led Zeppelin.
I enjoyed the Black Crowes when I first heard them in the early '90s. Some of their songs are superb in my opinion, and I think most of my favorite Black Crowes songs are on this album (e.g., Hard To Handle, She Talks To Angels, Jealous Again, Sister Luck, and more). I love the guitar work on this album but I never know if it's Rich Robinson or Jeff Cease I'm hearing when I'm admiring what I hear (like that real sweet bluesy lead in 'Sister Luck'). I know Jeff Cease is named lead guitarist for this album, so I'll give this another couple listens to see what I pick up (no, that's not meant as a guitar pun). I hadn't listened to this album in a very long time - probably decades - and, dang, it really holds up well. Love the rootsy-bluesy-gritty-rock-meets-gospel sounds. Chris Robinson is a really great singer. I would've loved to have seen them in concert when they toured to support this album.
wow, this is a far better album than i remembered... solid, straight-ahead rock and roll
Love this album. Honestly feel it is one of the most underappreciated of the 90s. Absolute classic. 5/5
Amazed. Perhaps not every single track was perfect, but the first one hits so hard and there are lots of good ones scattered throughout the album. Not just the singles. So much so that I went looking for bonus tracks and other albums as soon as this was done and I never have energy for that. This is a keeper for life now.
Fantastic! I didn't think I would like this album much, but I was proved very incorrect. It's a lot of fun. The drums are tight, the vocals are energetic, the guitars are rocking, I like it a lot. "Hard to Handle" is obviously the best known song of the album, but pretty much every song is good too. Very glad I heard it.
This album is full of typical bar rock. Southern band raised on the Stones, Humble Pie, and Otis Redding. Nice to listen to, sing along to, listen to while downing a few beers at your local watering hole, maybe gaining enough courage to go on stage and karaoke to one of these tunes. Mostly, this album could be indistinguishable from any other southern bar band album, although I do love Chris Robinson’s voice. The songs are familiar feeling in a way that made them feel like Insta-classics. Seeing Things is the bluesiest track. I love the song, but I don’t love Robinson singing it. The Otis Redding cover Hard to Handle fits his voice well and I recall it being a big hit. Thick n Thin is a swinging bop. She Talks to Angels has a special place in my heart forever, and this album gets a whole star just for that song alone. I’ve both been that girl and I know that girl. Overall, solid album.
I legitimately forgot this album and band existed. It's weird how some bands stick around in the Zeitgeist while others fade completely despite having similar track records. The album starts out really strong, but then the songs start to sound a bit samey. It's good, but it fades into the background because there's not a lot of tempo variation. There are some slower songs, but I can't say that I'm terribly impressed with songs like Seeing Things. Some of the other songs are good but start to feel like cultural appropriation (lookin at you, Hard to Handle. Talks to Angels is a good song that feels more original. 3/5
I was too cool for this album when it came out but picked it up in the mid 2000s. Now it reminds me of Napster and bud light, both of which are gone from my life, but this album lives on.
“The Black Crowes are to the early Rolling Stones what Christian Slater is to the young Jack Nicholson: a self-conscious imitation, but fine enough in its own right.”
I had no idea the sound recording in town halls could be so good. Who's responsible for capturing this 70's country-rock tribute act? Where was it recorded? Has anyone tracked down members of the audience to get their take on this historic moment? Surely these aren't originals. Not in 1990.
The Wolfmother paradox - the ability to imitate your influences with such perfection that the final product is devoid of any personality or imagination. What should be an oil painting becomes a blueprint. His mumbling and at times incoherent singing is actually kind of endearing to the point of hilarity, especially on Hard to Handle - so fun to sing along with. (also my album highlight, verging on perfect rock song). Five stars for making me think about it so much
Qué lástima no haberlos conocido antes. Aunque es innegable el sonido noventero que a treinta años de distancia es nostálgico, de todas maneras es un disco entretenido y con toques de frescura. Me gustaron las voces, las guitarras e incluso los temas oscurones típicos de la época (como en She Talks To Angels). Y además, cortito y al grano.
Gran, gran, descubrimiento. Rock sureño con mucho poder, buenas letras y muy buenos arreglos. Canciones donde pisan el acelerador combinadas con algunas baladas donde demuestran que también ahí el resultado es excelente. 10 canciones, 43 minutos, creo que no tiene un segundo de desperdicio. 4.5 que sube a 5 porque la primera escuchada sí me voló los sesos. Songs: Sister Luck, Twice As Hard, She Talks To Angels, Stare It Cold
Really surprised here. I have always loved the Black Crowes on the radio but I also always asked myself whether they were just a band with a bunch of good singles. I have never listened to any of their albums cover to cover. Even before I started listening to this album I looked at the track listing and thought whoa. That was the surprise - this album looked stacked. It did not disappoint. Big sound, lethal guitar work, heavy southern and blues rock (honkytonk piano to boot), great vocals. Turns out most of the songs I love from these guys (Twice as Hard, Jealous Again, Hard to Handle) are on this album. And if I ever get good enough to play guitar in front of people I will play She Talks to Angels - my singing also sucks but if I can pick & pluck my way through that song it won't matter. A true classic (can't believe Rich Robinson wrote that at 15). The non-hits were just as good (Sister Luck, Think N Thin, and Struttin Blues were particularly good). So I have my answer - they were amazing on one album. I still say they were largely average the rest of their career (second album was alright). But THIS album! A beauty.
The Black Crowes are a band I drifted away from and then came back to (Stone Temple Pilots is another). Their hits really "hit" but their b-sides and album tracks are middling. But the first album is very solid. I recently picked up the anniversary edition (if you can, try to get the Target version. It is basically the music in the box set without all the extra crap, trinkets and tchotchkes.) It's funny how everyone assumes "Hard To Handle" was a Crowes original. I never understood why they couldn't play that one with Page (they couldn't do any Black Crowes material on that fantastic album they did because of recording rights, but "H2H" could have been done...?) Although my favorite track of theirs is not on here, this is a very good (if not great) album. Solid all the way through.
Good, solid, slammin' rock and roll! Kind of a surprise 5 stars for me. I knew I liked their songs that I'd heard before, but didn't realize they all came from the same album! Hard to Handle has been one of my favorite rock songs since their version hit. Jealous Again & Twice as Hard are nearly as good, with great edge, wonderful hooks and tight playing. She Talks to Angels show a bit of a softer side, but still packs a punch. Even the lesser songs on this album show off the strength of the ensemble, with the fantastic organ sounds bringing a feel of the best of The Band or Procol Harum. This album, simply, rocks and will be in my collection in regular rotation, esp. for road trips with the windows down!
I recall the first time hearing about the Black Crowes was from my mom. She said “I read an article about a band I think you would like. They supposedly play their instruments - not a lot of synthetic stuff…” Later that week I saw the CD highlighted as a “guaranteed staff pick” at a record shop in Rosedale, MN. I bought the disc and have been a fan ever since. Every song on this album is at minimum good, and a lot of the are great. Apart from the many hits, I’m also a fan of the guitars on “Sister Luck”. Songwriting is really good throughout - especially on “She Talks to Angels”. It was many years down the road before I realized “Hard to Handle” was a cover tune. There have been a lot of good Crowes albums since this debut release, but overall, this is still their best effort.
I’ve always loved this one. Dirty southern rock/blues, which more often than not comes right out and slaps you in the face. This one has its share of hits, which I can never fault an album for. Most of them have been played to death, but they support an album that is very well put together. Great debut album and one of my favorites. Put this on in the background on a summer day outside… perfect.
This is one of my top 20 favorite albums of all time. The songs just drip with nostalgia for me. Love it!
Not at all what I was expecting but really enjoyed it and will Listen to more by this band.
I love this album so much. My girlfriend was a huge fan and talked me and four buddies into seeing them in '88 at the 300 seat Greek theater in Tri-cities Washington. They opened for Jellyfish. One of the best shows I've ever seen. This album has been a mainstay in my collection ever since. I've seen them 4 times over the last 30 years and am seeing them again in August. Great album, great band.
Without a doubt, the Crowes BEST WORK. SEEING THINGS and SHE TALK'S TO ANGELS are powerful. I listen to these two practically every day for my sing along songs. Several more really good tracks on here. Twice As Hard, Jealous Again, Hard To Handle are a pleasure to hear, but I just Can't Get Enough of SEEING THINGS!
Aside from the popular songs on this album I never really gave them a good listen, but this album was decent. Definitely have to listen to some more of their work.
What a lame album title, but it pleasantly surprised me! I really wasn't expecting to enjoy it based off the genre- but it was really solid! "Struttin' Blues", "Hand to Handle", "Twice as Hard" were pretty solid imo!!
Toe tapping good time. loved the big southern rock guitars. Great melodies and singing.
This album still holds up, but it might be the amount of memories I have with this playing in the car on road trips.
Surprised I hadn't really heard of them before - and surprised by how much I liked it! Maybe just nostalgic for 90s Georgia summers
Okay, Schwanzmusik schon, aber ich mochte und mag das gern. Fand ich damals schon eine gelungene Wiederkehr dessen, was ich mir so unter musikalischer 70ies-Rock-Ästhetik für Anfänger zurechtsimuliert hatte. Von 3.6 aufgerundet "I'm never afraid of losing faith in you" ist außerdem eine ziemlich gute Zeile.
When no one was making this sort of music, the black crowes released this absolute banger. High octane rock n roll from start to finish. lovely stuff. Not sure its quite strong enough throughout to give it a 5 but certainly a solid 4/5
Really like the rock vibe, grungy guitars and power. Would definitely run with this album!
Killer album. Half of it consists of absolute classics but another case of the hits overshadowing the rest of the album. Still a great listen for some throwback rock and blues.
Didn’t realize so many familiar songs were on a relatively unknown album. Quality listen.
actually rather like this one. 'hard to handle' appears to be the most popular song, but felt that one was only ok. 'she talks to angels' is great, heard that one before. lots of good guitar. generic voice
Really liked this album every song was awesome will be adding it to my general rotation of albums
Los Black Crowes eran normalmente una banda que veía como rock sureño decente pero que no llegaba a lo que se había hecho en los 70s y se sentía como un revival de medio pelo. Ahora justamente que tocó rock sureño en esta lista con Lynyrd Skynyrd de casualidad me seguí y escuche un cacho de ellos y justamente este disco lo escuche entero. Mi opinión sobre ellos ha mejorado notablemente en este par de meses. En realidad no se oyen tan copia al carbon como recordaba, sí proponen algo un poco más moderno sin perder la esencia del género y curiosamente notable que sus canciones son bastante más frescas en cuanto a tener una temática bastante más variada alejada de las canciones de macho sureño toma cerveza de todos los grupos originales. Sorpresa bastante agradable que creo tiene justificado un lugar aquí para mostrar que el género da más allá de los estereotipos con los que se le relaciona normalmente.
This album was so good, and really a breath of fresh air when it came out. Music was so bloated in 1990, and these guys strut in like they own the place with just some great, classic bluesy rock and roll. It's laid back, no frills, and completely engaging. This is probably as close as anyone ever got to fully catching the Stones' vibe. What I like about the Crowes is how they move really effortlessly between rockers like "Hard to Handle" and the slower, more thoughtful songs like "Seeing Things" without missing a step. That gives such a nice flow to these songs that a lot of artists can't really capture. The hits get played a lot on the radio, with good reason. They've aged really well. Fave Songs: Jealous Again, Twice as Hard, Hard to Handle, She Talks to Angels, Seeing Things
“Angels” is actually one of the weaker songs on here; the least of the ballads, anyway.
An old favourite, not their best, but better than I remembered - starred at least one track I'd forgotten
Pretty Good! I did really enjoy listening to what I consider to be actual rock music so that was fun
While the musicianship is undeniable, Robinson's voice wears me out after about song 3. Something about his constant, slightly off key, fake blues Man wailing just ... wears me out. That said, it's still a good record and a good representation of rock at the peak of its game in the '90s (including all of the dated production techniques of the time).
Solid album, lot of good tracks, but the excitement starts to fade out towards the end.
4.5/5 Fantastic album! Especially the first half of the album. I will for sure come back to this one. Favourite songs: - Twice as hard - Sister luck - She talks to angels
8/10. Who'd've thunk it? Two days in a row of 90's albums I actually enjoyed. Though I don't think I've ever really taken that much issue with the Blues Rock of the 90's.
The Black Crowes have a logo with a couple of cartoon crows on it. They remind me of the crows from Dumbo, except these look stoned or drunk or something. The Dumbo crows were racist caricatures. But I don't have any evidence that the Black Crowes crows are racist. Or that the Black Crowes themselves are racist. But it's an unfortunate connection I can't help but draw. I do have evidence that they are a pretty decent band. On this rollicking bluesy album at least. Then what happened to them? "Shake Your Money Maker" was a pretty big hit. But they never found that level of success again. "Remedy" is the only other Black Crowes song I recognize. I think I want to give this album a 4, but that kind of implies that I'd be interested in seeking out more from their catalog. And while I like it, I'm not quite moved to that level.
Real cool - sound like an old classic old southern rock group. I would say while being modern, but this is also classic now too at over 30 years old hahaha. Great vibe and attitude, killer album.
If the Rolling Stones, Aerosmith, and Lynyrd Skynyrd had a menage a trois, The Black Crows would be the result of their coupling (well, actually, tripling.) I’ll let you assign gender roles, and which will be actually carrying the child. My vote for the mom is, of course, the Stones, because they already have proven to be more than comfortable wearing women’s clothing and makeup. Lynyrd Skynyrd not so much, being pretty much all men, and southern ones to boot. Stephen Tyler? Anyone’s guess. Opening with a simply nasty, crunchy guitar, that sustains throughout 'Shake Your Money Maker' (curiously, a song not included, although performed often by The Black Crows), and soon to be joined by the rest of the flock, this is all 'Sticky Fingers' and 'Exile On Main Street,' paired with any and all of Aerosmith’s first four albums, and with a dash of southern flavor, including slide guitar, that would fit in easily on any Lynyrd Skynyrd recording. But the Stones cast the largest shadow here, with riffs from guitarist Rich Robinson and Jeff Cease imitating (albeit not as good) Keith Richards on virtually every song on the first side except the opener, and most on the second. The bluesy ‘Sister Luck’ sounds like right off of 'Exile,' and you tell me if ‘Seeing Things’ wouldn’t fit perfectly on 'Sticky Fingers,' a sibling to its brother, ‘Sway.’ What’s not to like here: joyfully nasty rock n’ roll guitars, crisp drums, howling vocals. Speaking of, I do have one critique for vocalist Chris Robinson: it would benefit the final moments of your songs to just let the band play out, minus your voice. Less is more, my friend. Even Mick Jagger showed a little of this restraint with his band, an action seldom used to describe the lead singer. What did work, and work well, was background singer Laura Creamer’s harmonious contributions, particularly on ‘Seeing Things.’ Here’s the special sauce, though, and an incredible coincidence further highlighting the similarities between The Crows and The Stones: keyboardist Chuck Leavell who, while not a member of the band, flaps his wings all over this LP, and without whom 'Shake Your Money Maker' would still fly, but not soar. Remember a fellow named Ian Stewart? Probably not. Even the demure Charlie Watts, drumming away behind the larger than life personalities of Jagger and Richards was more recognized than pianist Stewart, often even playing off stage! (It was simply a marketing decision- Stu’s countenance was not as cool as the rest.) Stewart, like Leavell, was never technically a band member, but what would ‘Sympathy for the Devil’ or ‘You Can’t Always Get What You Want,’ or dozens of other Stones’ songs sound like without his piano? On 'Shake Your Money Maker,' Leavell boogie woogies the ivories on ‘Could Have Been So Blind,’ strokes the organ to climax on ‘Struttin’ Blue,’ and does double duty on both during ‘Seeing Things.’ Man, this guy can play the kind of blues that would bring a smile to Greg Allman’s face. And he can rock n’ roll on the piano like Little Richard. Shame on you both, Stones and Crows, for not making your keyboard players official band members. Well, shame has no place in rock n’ roll, does it? Even ‘a crime in the wink of an eye,’ as Chris Robinson sings on the opener, ‘Twice As Hard.’ While he may be singing about the double pain of losing a love to drugs in life, and then ultimately in death, my own interpretation concerns the omission of Chuck Leavell as a full-feathered Black Crow. ‘Cause I’m seeing (and hearing) things for the first time…’
Great stuff. This kind of bluesy rock is really fun to listen to when it is done well, and this is done really well.
De forma cíclica, hi ha moments en què el rock sempre torna. D'alguna manera, sempre hi és, però des dels seus moments de glòria als '50 i '70, sembla que queda soterrat pels géneres més populars del moment fins que un disc esclata i el fa tornar amb tota la seva força. El 2018 va ser Greta Van Fleet, començaments de mil.leni es va viure amb tota la seva intensitat amb The Strokes, The White Stripes i tot el que va venir després. El 1990 va ser el debut de The Black Crowes que va posar tot del revés. En plena eclosió de hair metal i mentre alguns a Seattle es començaven a deixar sentir, un rock d'arrels, pantanós i honest ens va agafar a tots per sorpresa. El disc, a més, tenia un bon grapat de bons moments; grans cançons envoltades d'una veu increïble i una actitud i carisma que els va portar a ser una de les millors bandes de la década que començava
This album was better than I remembered. I feel like I should have been more into this when it was released!
Am I listening to a 70's heavy metal? Or maybe a true hard rock band from the '80s? Maybe, it sounds a little bit like an English indie rock from the 2000s? I'm not sure if I liked the whole album because it's a little bit longer than I normally like, however, it's impossible to not say that it looks like a real trip in rock history and a well-done trip.
A very solid 70s aerosmith-esque classic rock revival from the 90s. Favourites: "Twice As Hard", "Hard To Handle", "Stare It Cold"
This album fucks. The Crowes embody everything I love about that bluesy classic rock sound and GOT DAMN could these dudes write a hook. 4.5
As far as retro blues rock throwbacks go, you can’t top the Crowes imo. You can really hear the passion behind their performances every time. This is a pretty smooth, digestible album. B
My initial reaction was ugh, Black Crowes, then listening to the album and realizing how many tracks I recall, almost verbatim, hard to deny this album was played pretty much everywhere when it came out and some tracks stand the test of time it seems
It's fuggin rock and roll. When I was listening to this band as a boy I would get them confused with "Counting Crows" (because I was probably like 8). I think this band does deserve a place on this list. This album is a solid rock and roll album. I will admit that I listened to it in full background-mode and I think that is where this band shines. The singer has such a great rock and roll voice and some of these songs are bangers but I'm personally biased because I've heard them so much that they are ingrained as backing track music. "Hard to Handle" is one of the best post-1980s rock and roll songs ever. "She Talks to Angels" is as pure as a rock and roll ballad can ever get. I bet these dudes wear a ton of fringe.
A roll the windows down album of Southern rock that owes a lot to bands like Lynyrd Skynyrd and Aerosmith but The Black Crowes do it just as good! It’s got big riffs, great energy and soul. I love the bluesy piano too. This would be an excellent album even without “Hard to Handle” and “She Talks to Angels.” But with them it pushes toward classic territory. “Cause mama, I’m sure hard to handle now” - I’ve heard that line 1000 times but never knew what he was actually saying 😂 Also, I just learned that that song is a cover of an Otis Redding song!
Highkey forgettable lmao. Exactly what typa rock n roll sound you'd expect from the early 90s, the back end of 80s hairs bands.
First track sounds like Led Zeppelin but folkier, dude on the cover looks like Robert Plant, the dude behind him kinda looks like Jimmy Page...I'm seeing a pattern but can't quite put my finger on it.... Ohhhh so this is where Hard to Handle comes fro (didn't know this was that song's name)
Très bonne introduction Album agréable à écouter malgré une première partie d'album plus intéressante que la deuxième qui est assez redondante Très bonne production Assez daté musicalement par rapport à l'année de sortie Les influences prennent le pas sur la musique qui ne réinvente rien malheureusement Il manque une touche de folie pour palier au manque d'innovation L'album reste en surface mais est un bel hommage à leurs groupes préférés
Quite a few songs I know but did not know were by the Black Crowes. A little ballady for my taste at some points, but overall pretty enjoyable.
Solid 3.5. Doesn't warrant a 4 though. Did anyone else notice the glitch in "Twice as hard" at 1:32? It was on Spotify and Deezer oddly enough...
Opens with guitar that is the sound of how I wanted to be perceived in 8th grade. This would be brewery singing-from-the-cellar music. Definitely strong summer night highway, mustang convertible vibes. The camera pans straight down the center yellow line, does a flip, and focuses on you with your hair whipping around jamming out to this. Vocals are as if he is yelling in a whisper the entire time. Slows it down a little bit towards the end and brings back reminiscent feelings of an 8th grade dance. You stand there, looking at the swaying couples wondering if they'll get married, emotions are high as you gear up for middle school graduation. Rascal Flatts met Led Zeppelin and then created a Green Day cover band; I don't hate it.
“Shake Your Money Maker” by The Black Crowes (1990) Good rock. The main lyrical theme here is of a man opening up his soul to/about his woman. Honest, reflective, and sassy, these all work well in the rock genre. Think early Rolling Stones. Pretty standard structure and arrangements, delivered well enough. Fine guitar grooves, with plenty of distortion and sustain. While Chris Robinson’s lead vocal has an appropriate and legitimate southern rock attitude (sorry, Boss), it is certainly missing variety, making it (accidentally and sadly) one of the more recognizable 1990s voices out there. “Seeing Things” tries to be a gospel-spiced anthem, but it doesn’t quite make it. Their cover of Otis Redding’s “Hard to Handle” cooks without boiling over, demonstrating that Rock and Roll perdures (but “Thick n’ Thin” is even better). And with the obligatory acoustic-heavy ballad lamenting some poor soul’s drug addiction (“She Talks to Angels”), the Crowes complete their rock album punch card. After 30 years, this is one to put on the shelf just to keep the collection complete. 3/5
Kurzer erster Gedanke: „Beschreiben Sie dieses Album in 3 Worten:“ „Nichts für Malo.“ Bin gespannt, ob‘s stimmt! Ich kann mir je nach Laune und Länge der Autofahrt so Southern Rock Mock-Up ja ganz gut anhören. Nichts, was CCR oder die Allman Brothers nicht schon erfunden hätten, hier aber aus der Perspektive der Nachgeborenen noch „verfeinert“ und technisch perfektioniert. Gute Musik für ne lange Fahrt in den Urlaub oder nen Schweinerock-Abend ohne Manieren.
Quite pleasant to have playing in the background, but utterfly forgettable and unexciting.
Decent, plenty of catchy tunes. Not usually my cup of tea but went down well as background noise.
I have heard several tracks from the band over the years, but nothing has piqued enough interest to get me to listen to more. No change of opinion. The musicians are talented, but for me this album is "okay".
It's just a southern rock album. Not much to say about it other than the keyboard is great and the guitars are pretty good. The singer's voice is stereotypical of the genre, so there's no surprises in that department. All in all an okay experience.
So it's got that one classic song on it. I was surprised that this came out in 90. It definitely seems older. It's not exactly for me, but its all over the place.
4 really solid enjoyable songs. The remaining are probably great in a local live bar-band setting, as it is gritty bluesy rock with energy and passion. Unfortunately they are largely forgettable and aren't enough to come back to to warrant a 4 star rating. Still good.
This came out a few years after Appetite for Destruction and had a similar impact... looking back, the southern rock, however influenced by the Stones, doesn't have as much pull as before.
This is a band that's gone under my radar, though upon listening I recognized a lot of the songs from the radio. Pretty good old school rock; I enjoyed it.
3.8 - Solid southern rock. I hear an exceptionally tight backing band that sounds like they've been honed from years of hard gigging. No breakthroughs in sound but notable as a revivalist, roots-based rock. While I don't share in the gushing love for this band that I've heard over the years, I certainly understand the appeal.
Blues rock just isn't my thing - I get how it'd be fun in a bar live with beer and friends, but it's not great for just sitting and listening.
Pretty alright 90s rock album. Glad I know where that Hard to Handle cover comes from that I hear on the radio sometimes I guess
This came out in the 90s? It feels old, real Blues rock vibes. Like some shit I'd listen to while drinking Budweiser and oiling my mullet back.
I’ve never understood the obsession with the Black Crowes. Their music is ok to good but the signing is flat and poorly mixed. Mumble rock. I wouldn’t turn it off but I wouldn’t turn it on either
Like most people (I assume) I really just knew two songs from this album: Hard to handle, and She talks to Angels. I'm cool with that to be honest - the rest of the album is just good, not amazing like those two songs. On the other hand, I'd say The Black Crowes are an example of a band who have developed a lot since their early album, and have a sound that comes across best live - so it's worth checking out footage of their live shows.
Rock and roll with some bluesy-ness to it. The lead singer has a distinct voice and sound, which is good if you dig it, because there's not much change.
It’s a little bit Blues Brothers, a little bit Rolling Stones, a little bit Led Zeppelin and probably a little bit of a lot of other classic rock and soul bands. While it’s not overly original, it’s fun and breezy and sounds good while it’s on. Consistent and solid are two adjectives I’d use to describe this album.
Pretty fun album, tunes all sound familiar and just easy to listen to. Just does southern bluesy gospely rock and does it well. One to throw on in the background but not sure there's much substance there, any longer and it would be a drag.
This is a pretty good consistent album of it genre. There is no outstanding track. In a live setting this would be feel stronger.
Yeah, fine, sounds competently done and is an enjoyable enough listen, although I notice even after two play throughs nothing's really stuck in my head. Fave track - "Hard to Handle", but mainly because the The Black Crowes version of that song was reliably available as a karaoke choice, not because they did anything amazing with it...
It's fine and solid, I guess, but it seems inferior to some other southern rock / blues rock bands.
21st January 2022 Listened in the morning while doing bits and pieces. Went to see Licorice Pizza with Gareth at Peckhamplex. Didn’t expect to enjoy this as much as I did, really great fun. The Spotify notes give the impression the band have an amazing attitude of just wanting to have funny and make music with each other. 3.5 if I could.
confirmed for me that I wouldn't search then out, but can see why some people get off on them
Not bad, but for the most part, derivative from older rock music. There is no reason to choose this album to listen to out of many similar ones.
These guys were huge, but on closer inspection sound a lot like the Quireboys. Smatterings of Foghat, Blackfoot and the less interesting aspects of Zep too. I could dig it, but if I bought the album it would probably be lost in the shuffle. Three and a generous half stars?
By the middle of the second song, I thought that this album is a good example of generic rock. The Black Crowes would make a great bar band. Maybe a weekend headliner at a music club on the main drag in Nashville. The songs are nice enough, but I feel nothing from them, until Hard To Handle, Thick n’ Thin, and She Talks To Angels. Struttin’ Blues isn’t half bad either. Next on Unsolved Mysteries…why did The Black Crowes wait until the second half of the album to do something interesting? The bar band quip maybe was too harsh, but there is too much generic rock on this album to warrant further consideration.
Does this album come with BBQ and Budweiser? Back in the 90's I wasn't a big fan of this band, now thirty years later I'm still not a fan. Sure there's some good rock n' roll and I appreciated the first track, but the dude's voice is out-of-this-world annoying. And, after the third track, I was tired of listening... and suffered through the remainder. These guys are polished rockers. The style is in the same vein as Aerosmith but (this album at least) lacks the charisma and diversity of Aerosmith albums on this list. Instead, the strategy seemed to be to focus on this guys voice, which isn't for everyone.
Growing up in the 90s, it never registered that "Twice As Hard" was at the time a recently released song. Years and years later, without any real curiosity as to who The Black Crowes are, the thought was that this was a one-hit single from the 70s. Comparisons are inevitable in this genre, elements of AC/DC in the vocals and rhythm, you could almost substitute "Highway to Hell" to the chorus for "Twice As Hard". These songs could be cousins, the hard rocking guitars with that touch of blues and seemingly southern charms. This album can certainly be enjoyed, The Black Crowes do manage to make their own mark here and while they may not rise above some of their obvious inspirations it would be fair to say that "Shake Your Money Maker" earns a spot in that rotation.
Some good old fashion greasy lues-rock in the style of classic Rolling Stones. Nothing particularly memorable to me but a lot of fun. 3.5 🌟
Although it's from the 90s (let's say late 80s really) Shake Your Money Maker sounds like it's from the mid 70s. I'll have to agree with this Entertainment Weekly review which sums up the sound of the album: "The Black Crowes are to the early Rolling Stones what Christian Slater is to the young Jack Nicholson: a self-conscious imitation, but fine enough in its own right." Best: Jealous Again Worst: She Talks to Angels
Hmmm, first time of listening, I like some of what I heard but this is standard 70's mainstream Rock/Blues but 20 years later. Reminiscent of Aerosmith/Stones/Faces I think. some good tunes but not earth shattering really. I can see the merit and I liked "Jealous Again" the classic cover of Otis's "Hard to Handle" and the "Hurt"-like "She Talks To Angels" (In fact the connection between the Crowes and Nine Inch Nails has just occurred to me) As I say some good tunes but standard Rock 'n' Roll to me and yearning for the 70's in the 90's I think. Not in my collection but I see the reason it is on this list!
Back in the summer of 1991 I was working at a private beach, my first actual job. I lived in an Italian town that was specifically designed for summer vacation; a ghost town during winter time, its 2000 people population would increase by three times during the summer, and so would the level of activity, both cultural and economic, which meant that, for us, wild and flickering youngsters, summertime was the real deal more than in any other place, or so we believed (you would have to go through those pale winters filled with anonymity, as sad and useless as the non alcoholic beer in order to get a sense of what summers actually meant then and there) Working at a private beach from sunrise to sunset meant that the only people I would hang out with were there for only a couple of weeks, and then after swimming, boating, throwing ball on the sand, and so on, we were out for the night, more often than not until the next morning. Back then time was a constraint when it came to sharing and getting to know each other and everything happened at another speed: I remember all the faces and all the places, but not necessarily what happened at those places, and most certainly I struggle with names. On one night out someone gave me a 90 minutes tape cassette: on one side there was this album, on the other... Well, we'll get to the other side at some other time, it might come up in this challenge. At the time I knew nothing about Americana, so this album sounded kind of new to me and I listened to it a lot, really. I liked it, I could sense joy and nostalgia at the same time, that sort of blues thing going on; I also figured this was rock and roll, in a sense. It also sounded nicely recorded. The album, not the tape, although the recording on the tape was good too. Listening to it now brings back all these memories and some more, and it is an ok album but not one that I would reach out to A bit like looking at a summer picture where we all were smiling, curious, and somehow happy. And since this was a snapshot, I quickly moved on and started looking for more "alternative" as a figure of speech stuff in my music. Although Upon arriving here in Montreal I found a second hand CD copy for real cheap and said to myself Why not? Because yeah, pictures are made to be looked at, even if only once in a very long while.
What more can be said other than it's some good ol' fashioned rock and roll? It's some good ol' fashioned rock and roll! Favorites: Twice as Hard, Jealous Again, Sister Luck, Could I've Been So Blind, Seeing Things, Stare It Cold.
Favorites: Twice as Hard Hard to Handle (one of those "oh this is on DVE all the time i've heard this" songs) She Talks to Angels (same as above)
Classic. Really Good. 3/5. A few more listens and this could easily be a 4/5. So many good tunes! I just kind of get tired of that voice for a whole album.
For southern rock it's okay, inoffensive. In general not into this style of rock though, reminds me of listening to trying-to-be-edgy 90s radio in the US.
Kind of surprised to see this on the list. I'm sure the Black Crowes are a fine band, but they seem sort of like generic rock n' roll to me. Did they break any new ground with this album? It sounds like a rehash of Rolling Stones, Aerosmith, and maybe a little AC/DC, with a bit more modern (at the time), grunge vibe to it. It's fine, but nothing special. 3 stars.
This got them started with the Otis Redding cover. They really peaked with their next album, The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion.
Yasurearetohandlenowmessaround! Pretty solid Southern-style rock album. I was impressed with the higher vocalizations on "Could I've Been so Blind". Maybe I'm just in a summer BBQ mood, but I can definitely see this album as a great soundtrack for a party, sometime after the "let's chat and catch up" phase, and sometime before the food and subsequent food-coma chill phase, where everyone is lively and playing games in the yard. Ya know?
The Crowes have a clear picture of the style niche they want to fill, and the playing to do it well. Unfortunately, the record falls hard into overproduction (at least to my entirely untrained ear) and the arrangements are unbearably radio-ready, especially where solos fit in or fade out. That sheen makes the LP grate a touch too much, though the songs here would sound perfect in the background of, say, a small-town rodeo.
Connor: I wasn't a huge fan. The riffs weren't exceptional, which is what this kind of guitar-driven rock seems to rely on, and the whole album sounds like it could've been made 10-20 years earlier - in which case it might have been more unique
it's not bad, but not something i'll return to probably, nice in the mood for some toe tappin rock i guess.
One great song really shouldn't be enough to push this album to make this list. Hard to Handle is a great song, but the rest is just ok.
There have certainly been things so far in this that I've disliked intensely but this is the first inclusion I just found quizzical. It was easy enough to listen to but I just don't think it's near the same level as it's peers on this list.
It was decent. Not really my cup of tea. Most of the songs sounded the same to me. Favorite track: Sister luck
"hard" rock, "bluesy" kind of, vaguely 80s - 90s vocals, super generic sounding. This is the music that would play in a deserted franchised bar in a dying strip mall.
A reasonably good bar band who's outsized success is a testament to the power of formulaic bullshit when it comes to opening the wallets of people with little understanding of authentic rock and roll.
Not really my sort of thing, and this felt old-fashioned when it was *released*, let alone 30 years later. Not bad, just not a great album.
Everything other than "Hard to Handle" just sounds like the most generic music ever. It's kind of impressive. I couldn't imagine wanting to listen to again or share this album with friends.
Rock chord progressions with country flair, sums up the debut of The Black Crows. There are hints of blues and early rockabilly vibes with “Thick N Thin”, but most of the record carries 80s power glam with vocal backup and chord rock structure. The first song to catch my interest was “Sister Luck”, the vocals were cleaner with less grit, smooth piano leads and lends itself favor to the 90s rock ballads. Songs that stand out are the smoother jams such as, “Seeing Things” with its organ fills and blues licks. This album sets the tone for alternative bands in the 90s with a gruff male singer but still carries the left over residue of the 80s jam and glam. Overall: After years of many records like this, the debut gets lost in the shuffle. 2/5
Like a lot of American rock music, I find this a rather uninteresting take on bland noise
Second half picked up a bit, but try as I might I struggle to find much positive in this kind of music. Middle of the road old american rock
This album sounds like it was composed to appeal to women who wear cowboy hats and jeans with embroidery on the ass. It sounds like the music they play during barrel riding montages on the show Yellowstone. The production value was good, sometimes it was catchy, they seem like musicians, the singer has a good scratch/voice crack thing going, but it’s just not for me. Maybe it bears too much responsibility for modern country. I can tell you that it was one of the albums I’ve least looked forward to listening to on this list.
This album was fine, but I don't have a ton to say about it. It was probably refreshing at the time to hear a throwback to music from the early 70's (got a lot of Led Zeppelin and Rolling Stones vibes from the Black Crowes) so I can see why it was successful; however, the band didn't seem to take many chances to make themselves unique within the blues-rock genre. Interestingly enough, I feel like this group could have really only succeeded in that very specific year of 1990: this probably was a breath of fresh air in the aftermath of 1980s synth and glam rock, but I feel it would come off as boring or date the following year when grunge and alternative took over the scene. Their biggest song, Hard to Handle, and the opening track, Twice as Hard, were the standout tracks to me upon the first listen, and while the rest of the songs are solid, they do kind of blend together by the end of the record. Not a bad album by any means, but it ultimately did not give me a reason to come back. 2.5/5.
this shit fuckin sucks but it does remind me of being like ten years old and considering what the last like 8 years of my life have been that's an alright place to revisit
Listening to these guys is 2022, they sound dated as hell. Like a last gasp of that southern rock sound. Hard To Handle is a hit but belongs back in the stone age. My issue is that this band's sound is so derivitive that its goes beyond homage. She Talks To Angels is the same spirit that this album needed more of. Alas, its more of the same after.
Best Song: She Talks To Angels. I know it's more than a bit overwrought, but it gives me nostalgia for this specific period in my childhood wherein this song was so perfectly melodramatic that I would listen to it and imagine singing this song as a eulogy for a friend taken by drug addiction, despite my not being able to sing and not knowing anyone with a drug problem. Nevertheless, there wasn't a dry eye at that imaginary funeral. Worst Song: Sister Luck. Too slow with too much forced sincerity. Overall: If ever there was an album that felt like it was explicitly written for radio, it's this one. Entirely safe rock, where the basis of each song seems to be the nature of the (oft-repeated) vocal hook. I like the vocalist's style, but don't like how often he over-sings.
Not the worst thing I've ever heard, it just fades into the background. Despite that, I couldn't not notice how generic it sounds, which does make me drop my rating a bit.
I mean the music isn't bad, but this kind of late 80s/early 90s alternative doesn't usually do much for me.
Denne typen musikk gir meg ingenting. Her er noen tanker: 1) Jeg klarer ikke skille sangene fra hverandre 2) det er for likt Rolling Stones 3) hva skal man bruke dette til? Man kan ikke elske til det, man kan ikke sloss. De er åpenbart flinke musikanter. men er dette et album man bør høre før man dør? I think not. Dette er nok musikk for white-trash menn i 50 årene som har flippskjegg eller smultring, farlig høy BMI, hvit t-skjorte med matflekker og som kjører pick-up eller lastebil. Sorry mac - ikke min cup med tea.
A fine album. The singles are all fun songs. Just not really my thing for the most part.
Hated this a little less than I expected too given these tracks were plastered all over rock radio throughout my childhood. There are some genuinely good riffs and melodic ideas here, they’re just buried under either track lengths that are way too long or vocals that grate to the extreme
Blues rock made in the time of grunge. Honestly, I didn't like it. I think it felt like a cleaner, less gritty version of what they were going for. Like a PG-13 Rolling Stones or something. It doesn't seem remarkable for any reason. I understand what they were trying to do, I just didn't enjoy it.
Very much a throwback to 70s pop rock. Hard to Handle is probably overplayed a bit, but I do like it Struttin' Blues absolutely rocks Overall, I don't really love this, but it does have a couple good tracks.
This was so meh I almost died. There's nothing about this that is engaging, except "Hard to Handle" has a bit of nostalgia. It works better as a single than in the context of the album though. I was so bored listening to this... 2/5
Not bad, just very dull. Why is this generic unasked blues rock album from the 90s even on this list?
If this were in a movie or playing in the background of a record shop, I wouldn't pay any attention to it. I would most likely never listen to this on my own, though.
The vocals to me sound like how cilantro tastes like soap. I know this album has those two bops on it, Twice As Hard, and She Talks To Angels; but I don't like how this guy sounds. I almost turned it off a few times through. That's a No from me dog.
Veldig kjedelig. Super repetitivt, 4/4 riff, ingenting interessant å feste seg til, irriterende vokal, og de mest klisje tekstene 90-tallet kunne stjålet fra 80-tallet. Hvis jeg vil være veldedig, ville jeg sagt at de prøver å gjenopplive gammel rock, men selv da er det ingen grunn til å høre på dette over Guns 'n roses, AC/DC, eller lignende. Eneste positive siden på dette albumet er gitar introen på "She talks to Angels".
Hillbilly Honkey Tonk. Hver og eneste låt kunne vært i en cars sequel. Stemmen til vokalisten var overdrevent røff og tøff, til det stadiet at det ble ufrivillig morsomt. Leste litt rundt om albumet, reviews og sånt. Fikk ikke så superbra tilbakemeldinger da den kom ut. Forstår ikke hvorfor dette albumet er med her.
Hard Rock, wie er wohl niemals wieder ernsthaft ins Gespräch kommen sollte. Eine so cocky Spielart ist heutzutage schwer vorstellbar - höchstens als x-te Reunion Tour. Kurze Frage: sind die Jungs alle Geschwister oder war eine so deutlich markante Kinnpartie Einstellungskriterium bei den Krähen? Krahkrah 1.0
hard rock muy genérico a mi entender, nada muy interesante, que me perdonen los puristas, hace 30 años trataban de sonar como hace 20 años de ese entonces.
This album is just another boring nineties album to me. I don't care for it, I'm never going to listen to it again, and I never really liked Hard To Handle.
Good to know that Greta Van Fleet sucked even back when they were cosplaying as The Allman Brothers. I hate this type of “white dad blues,” but I definitely hate the reheated versions of it the most.
I don't own a combine harvester, so this album is not for me. There is no passion or originality here. Proof that being boring is often worse than being straight up bad. I had more fun listening to the Spotify ads in between.
Yawn. More American blooze rawk. Tedious stuff. The best thing about this album is the use of the Elmore James song as the title. Luckily they don't attempt a cover version.
Oh qu'on n'est pas dans mon genre ici. À part la chanson Hard To Handle qui a un petit quelque chose d'accrocheur, le reste est pas mal répétitif et sans grand intérêt, du moins dans mes goûts. C'est bien de constater se qui entoure justement la pièce Hard To Handle, mais je n'ai pas manqué grand chose. Next
i'm so embarrassed for them by proxy when i listen to this. just the corniest stones/zeppelin/air quotes classic rock rip off shit in the world lol
The sound of your friends Dad having a crisis after the divorce, buying a Les Paul for £800 and forcing you all to watch him play lumpen blues in a dingy working men's club because you're all worried he might top himself. Except these guys were in their twenties and there's no excuse. Why do all early 90s rock singers sound constipated and/or like Ronan Keating? In short, if you're reading this ahead of listening, don't. Nearly every album ever made is better than this.
Half of the songs seem like plagiarism from other rock acts. The other half is soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo generic.
That's a cute little blues rock cover band you've got here, do you often get requests for "Freebird" when you play weddings?
Solid as a rock