Reviews (page 3 of 9)
A solid rock album with some classic bangers on it! Somewhere between a 3 and 4, but I'm probably going to bump it up to a 4.
so good!!
White boy southern rock
Great stuff
Opened the world of the black crowes to me many years ago
Yes! Plus de hard rock svp!
Love this record. Strange album in the early 90’s grunge era. Definitely a must!
One of my favorite records. Has a great sound even for today. Six of the songs on that album are still some of my favorites. Good ratios of banger songs to whole album.
Kova southern rock levy. Kappaleista löytyi vähän Lynyrd Skynyrdiä kuin myös Aerosmithiä. Ei oikeestaan heikompia kappaleita, koko levyn läpi tasaisen kova meno. Parhaat: Sister Luck, Twice As Hard, Hard To Handle
4.0 Maybe not the most original recording ever made but it is a fun listen. Not too many skips but like a hungry fish, they don't know when to let a hook go. Probably due for a re-master one of these days
I love Led Zeppelin and The Rolling Stones so in many ways this is right up my alley. It's not the most inspired blues rock, but it does it's job quite well.
A tribute act, but a great tribute act
Great jams. Good alt rock music. Classic.
Pretty good, was surprised by this one
Rock, ein wenig Blues
It was a good album, but more as background music when I'm having a bottle of beer or two. Would still love a physical copy of it. Favorite tracks: Thick N' Thin, Stare It Cold
Cover 5 Great album! So different from most of what was coming out in the 90s. Perfect bridge from glam arena Rock to alternative rock.
Ehhh
I feel like the Black Crowes get a lot of shit but I actually really like them. They aren't cool at all- they’re trying wayyyyy too hard to be the Stones. (I mean - The Keith Richards chord is featured prominently in the first riff of the first song of their first album. If they were self conscious about being rip off artists they might have tried to dial that back a bit.) But cool or not - I’ll be damned if this album doesn’t rock. The first two songs are excellent Stones rip offs; “Struttin Blues” is a great rocker. I actually prefer their version of “Hard to Handle” to the Otis Redding version (after hearing the way Chris Robinson hits the chorus, how can you go back?) When you take ubiquitous "Angels" out of the pub and put it back in its place on this record, it really shines. I think context helps a little here, too. The only people doing music like this at the time were maybe Guns N Roses- who were definitely more on the metal side of things. If you wanted new music in the vein of the Faces, the Stones, or Aerosmith in 1990, the Crowes were your best option. I can understand hating on revivalists- it’s derivative, I get it. But the Black Crowes really do seem to love this music with all their hearts, and their original songs are excellent. FOUR STARS
Great energy to the record. Sounds like a 70s rock band
Some standard classic rock. Good in general, Hard to Handle is such a great song.
Surprisingly excellent.
- Am Anfang dachte ich das es schon wieder ein stinknormels rockalbum wird, hat mich dann aber doch positiv überrascht - Es sind auch ein paar emotionalere Lieder darunter und die Mischung gefällt mir gut Topsong: Seeing Things
I remember hearing this back in the ’90s - unapologetic, straight-up rock. You can hear the callbacks to the classic ’70s bands that inspired them, and that’s no dig, it’s quite the compliment. Like those acts, The Black Crowes feel timeless. Shake Your Money Maker could’ve come out at any point in the last 35 years and still fit right in. It’s fun, tight, and you can tell these guys play together so damn well.
3.8
First listen to these guys and I'm not having a bad week in terms of new music worth giving an ear to.
I get it, man. I, too, like the Rolling Stones. Their influences may be on their sleeve, but they do this kinda thing really well. I'm rounding up with the 4 but I don't do so begrudgingly. Highlights: Jealous Again, Stare It Cold
Hard rock / blues rock del bueno. No le pidas más. Lo que hace lo hace perfecto. Encima tiene Hard To Handle. 8/10
Good southern fried rock album. It is an impressive debut album from the band. Has some good tempo changes and enough variety to keep your interest the whole way through.
Very solid rock. Some absolute bangers on here as well
I definitely liked it a lot more as a kid, and I'm not sure it's something I'd throw on a whole lot at this point in my life, but I had a great time driving to it in the sunny weather on my first day back home. A solid rock and roll record, if not much else. 4/5
Good album
The saying ‘shake your money maker’ was actually coined by non other than Sir Len Houmous. He shouted it as his then wife and erotic dancer in one of his strip clubs. The rest as they say is history. 4.3 2/10 Jealous Again
Lovely classic rock album! Sister Luck production was copied for Knocking on the Heavens Door song by GnR
This is an excellent piece of southern rock and roots rock. I’m not fully used to the genre outside of the late 60s and early 70s but it’s a welcome change from most other 90s music. This is a great album, every song is a banger and I fully recommend you dive into this one.
one of those bands i knew of but never listened to but thoroughly enjoyed
Solid album with a good mix of tunes. Jealous Again, Hard to Handle, and She Talks To Angels were favs.
I really had fun with this album. Having never heard of The Black Crowes, I was mistakenly prepared for a very different vibe based only on the name of the band and the album cover - They look like they're impersonating Richmond from the I.T. crowd. As such, when the album wasn't moody at all - but rather a bluesy, southern rock n roll jam I was caught way off guard in the best possible way. Is this a masterpiece of an album? No. Is this a heck of a lot of fun to listen to? You bet your ass it is! It may not be the most memorable or unique record out there, but the songs are bangers, it's a joy to listen to, and any Otis Redding cover is hard to go wrong with.
Surprised by how much I enjoyed
I love dad rock from time to time
I was introduced to the album by my much younger bil, who was in high school at the time. I liked it so much, I went out and bought my own CD copy. I found it really refreshing compared to most of the other music that was popular at the time. Of course a lot of the songs reminded me of the Stones. I hadn’t listened to this in a long time, but it holds up really well. I give it four enthusiastic stars!
Great album!!
Always loved their hits and just never put on a full album! Nothing super new or innovative, but just easy and fun! Solid overall
8/10
thought i did not really care about the black crowes, this album changed my mind
Is it generic 90's rock that all starts to sound the same. But I don't mind it. As an album they all work together, they all show what the band is about and are pretty easy with a little simpler background. They took the melancholy attitude of the 90's and moved it into a more mainstream rock (then grunge) with some blues influence. She talks to Angels is an obvious stand out, but some of the others (Twice as Hard, Jealous Again, Struttin blues) were all good and I wouldn't be mad if they came on the radio.
This is a fun blast from the past. Definitely transports me back to this early 90s era of life. They weren't one of my top bands by any means, but their music was so ubiquitous then. It's nothing mind-blowing but still a rockin' good time with a lot of nostalgic classics! Especially love me some Hard to Handle.
Oh yeah, this is one of those bands/albums that I have been wanting to check out since I am older and respect music so much more. I remember listening to these guys on the local radio station.. I dug every song that was played on the radio.
Simple, straightforward classic rock. Good. A couple of the songs are great-- She talks with Angels and the concluding song. The rest is a good listen but nothing to make one sit up and notice. 3.5/5
I think I've spent most of my life poo pooing The Black Crowes because I conflated them with Counting Crows. Ooops. I love this. I know most of these songs so I'm not sure how I made that mistake.
For me, this album flits between being a crowning achievement and a generic blues rock album. On this listen, I leaned towards the former.
An incredibly strong debut album. Do you suppose they knew it was going to be the high-water mark of the group?
Although the hits can be tiresome, they're still great songs. One of the best debut albums ever.
Great album of soulful rock. Great guitar sounds too. Particularly liked ‘she talks to angels’.
I dismissed The Black Crowed at the time, lumping them in (incorrectly) with The Cult, and not my thing. Which is odd, as I loved Little Angels, and they sound remarkably similar. Suffice to say I really liked this, good hard-rocking bluesy rock, exactly my sort of thing. Plus, the cover of Hard To Handle is excellent.
45 minutes of good blues rock. Love this album. Does remind me a bit of AC/DC where it starts to get a bit repetitive, but overall it's entertaining. 3.59 / 5 stars
The vocal range and guitar solos!! Perfect BG music while making my resume. The beats are so peaceful. I have started falling for rock music these days.
this grew on me. Seeing things was on repeat for many days. The progressions and those keys! One of the few albums that haven't fallen into the "trying to be like the 60/70's rock bands" or "trying to be so different than the 60/70's bands that I sound ridiculous" lol that's the only way I can explain it.
never heard of it before. instantly classic, electric, and the keys?!?!? great chord progressions and energy. im not personally attached but this was some good noise.
Im immediately transported to the back seat of my dad's car while he is driving around running errands with me on a Saturday morning. These guys had a really unique sound sandwiched between 80s glam rock and 90s grunge. Great musicians and Chris Robinson has one of the better rock n roll voices of modern rock. This album is jammed with 5 star singles but the rest is kind of derivative blues rock.
Honestly, I didn't think I'd like listening to this album after all these years. I've listened to so much blues and rock since then that I thought I'd find it too sanitized or something. But no, it was still fun, I still admire the hell out of Chris Robinson's voice, and it's still pretty solid from track 1 to track 10.
I like this album, I own this album, not sure it should be on this list. Like the music, wears it’s influences front and centre, but not ground breaking or essential . 4 Star for the list but 5 personal taste.
One track minded. All sound pretty similar but really good. I imagine awesome live.
Southern Rock with a hint of the Rolling Stones, really liked this, production is great, real punchy and tight. Great album for a sunny day road trip.
New to me and I like it!
Blues-rock amb molta marxa. Algunes cançons sonen com una versió moderna de Status Quo
These dudes got their degrees in general rock studies.
It was good. We enjoyed the music.
Bought this at half priced books back when all I listened to was classic rock. Now it's been 10 years since then and I've listened to a bunch of different stuff. This is a good record! I echo the same sentiments in that it's nothing innovative but it does hone in on all the lessons learned and practices done by the bands that inspired them. It's also a very cozy album. Good riffs but never too imposing. I could throw this on at a family gathering and it'd work well. I love the organ here and production is well done for what it is. Yeah I like it for what it is.
Decent album. The first bluesy album I have been able to enjoy. This will be added to my rotation!
I'm aware of some of the singles here, especially the cover of Otis Redding's "Hard to Handle". I always forget that this band debuted in the 90's, as they sound a little bit before their time with the blues rock influence and the signature wailing vocals from Chris Robinson. They essentially sound and look the part of a 70's rock band. I think it aged pretty well, all things considered. Blues rock albums are enjoyable when they're not exclusively covers.
Surprised is an understatement. I dont really love southern rock but this album is really good everywhere you look it from. Production, song order, lyrics, arrangements its a above average for sure
Awesome top to bottom. Blues rock done right
This was tough as I’ve heard a handful of the songs so many times at this point, that they’ve lost luster. That being said, there really aren’t any bad songs, and there are 3 massive songs. I think 4 is appropriate.
A very solid debut record, can't say that I found it very innovative or groundbreaking, but who cares when every track just rocks.
Fun album with a few good hits on it. Not an all-time favorite, but an enjoyable listen nonetheless. Has strong blues/southern-rock vibes to it.
My money maker is leaking coins from it being so backed up
really nice
Feels like about as Classic Rock as the 90's could get. Harkens back to about 20 years earlier with a Stones/Zep vibe. While I won't choose to put it on all that much, this is pretty great all the way through.
Turns out I like this kind of blues rock.
I like these guys
Hitsi kun pitkästä aikaa muistinki kuin kova tää Bändi olikaan. Like much. Ei silti paras levy
Mustat varikset pääsivät yllättämään positiivisesti. En ihan ymmärrä miten minulta on mennyt ohi kyseinen bändi.
Giving sort of a southern Oasis vibe (not least because it's fronted by a pair of brothers who, from reading, seem to kinda be jerks) Across the whole listen, it can feel a little too much like just more of the same, but the same is still some good rock, and for 1990, a pretty cool sound for its time
Great
## In-Depth Review: *Shake Your Money Maker* by The Black Crowes **Shake Your Money Maker**, released on February 13, 1990, stands as a pivotal debut that reintroduced classic, blues-driven rock to a generation raised on glam metal and pop. Produced by George Drakoulias, the album is a masterclass in rootsy authenticity, blending blues, southern rock, and soul influences into a sound both reverent and revitalizing[2]. --- ## Lyrics **Lyrical Themes and Storytelling** The album’s lyrics traverse themes of love, heartbreak, addiction, and redemption, often delivered with a poetic directness that feels both timeless and raw. Chris Robinson’s writing is at its best when channeling the gritty realities of life and relationships. - **“Jealous Again”** explores the corrosive nature of jealousy in love, with lines that capture the push-pull of pride and vulnerability[2]. - **“Twice As Hard”** delves into the struggle of overcoming emotional burdens, with ambiguous references to addiction and personal pain. Its lyrics are open to interpretation but universally relatable. - **“She Talks to Angels”** stands out for its empathetic portrait of a woman battling heroin addiction. Chris Robinson has described it as a fictionalized account inspired by someone he knew in Atlanta, lending the song a sincerity and gravity that resonate deeply[1][2]. - **“Hard to Handle,”** a cover of Otis Redding’s classic, transforms the original’s playful bravado into a swaggering rock anthem, maintaining the witty, confident lyricism while injecting new energy[1][2]. Throughout the album, Robinson’s lyrics balance storytelling with emotional immediacy, avoiding overwrought metaphors in favor of directness and soul. --- ## Music **Instrumentation and Arrangements** *Shake Your Money Maker* is a showcase for the band’s formidable musicianship. The interplay between Rich Robinson’s guitar work and Chris Robinson’s vocals forms the album’s backbone, supported by a tight rhythm section and tasteful keyboard flourishes. - **Guitar Work:** Rich Robinson’s use of open G tuning, particularly on tracks like “Twice As Hard,” evokes the spirit of The Rolling Stones and Faces, with riffs that are both muscular and melodic[2]. - **Rhythm Section:** Johnny Colt (bass) and Steve Gorman (drums) provide a solid, swinging foundation, essential for the album’s groove-heavy tracks like “Struttin’ Blues” and “Thick n Thin.” - **Keyboards:** Guest musician Chuck Leavell adds depth with his piano and organ contributions, especially noticeable on “Seeing Things” and “Sister Luck,” lending a soulful, gospel-tinged atmosphere[2]. - **Vocals:** Chris Robinson’s voice is a standout instrument in itself—raspy, emotive, and capable of both swagger and vulnerability. His delivery on “She Talks to Angels” and “Seeing Things” is particularly compelling. **Song Structures and Hooks** Most tracks adhere to classic verse-chorus structures, but the band’s knack for hooks and dynamic shifts keeps the album engaging. The singles—“Jealous Again,” “Twice As Hard,” “Hard to Handle,” “She Talks to Angels,” and “Seeing Things”—each feature memorable choruses and infectious grooves, contributing to the album’s commercial appeal[2]. --- ## Production **Sound and Studio Craft** Produced by George Drakoulias and engineered by Brendan O’Brien, the album achieves a balance between raw energy and studio polish. - **Recording Locations:** Sessions took place in both Atlanta and Los Angeles, with Soundscape Studio providing a gritty edge and Paramount Studios offering a more refined finish[2]. - **Equipment:** The use of vintage guitars (Gibson ES-335, ’58 Les Paul Juniors), classic amplifiers (Fender Super Reverb, Marshall), and assumed use of Neumann and Shure microphones, all contribute to the album’s warm, analog sound[2]. - **Mixing:** The album’s mix is punchy and clear, with each instrument occupying its own space. The guitars are prominent but never overpower the vocals or rhythm section. - **Production Choices:** Drakoulias’s production avoids the excesses of late-’80s rock, favoring live takes and minimal overdubs. This approach preserves the band’s barroom energy and gives the record a timeless feel. --- ## Themes **Core Motifs** The album’s central themes revolve around: - **Redemption and Struggle:** Many tracks, such as “Twice As Hard” and “Seeing Things,” grapple with personal demons and the hope for renewal. - **Love and Heartbreak:** “Jealous Again” and “Sister Luck” dissect the complexities of romantic relationships, often with a sense of resignation or bittersweet acceptance. - **Addiction and Escape:** “She Talks to Angels” is the most explicit in addressing substance abuse, but the motif of escape—whether from pain, reality, or oneself—runs throughout the record. **Cultural and Musical Context** Released at a time when rock was dominated by glam and pop-metal, *Shake Your Money Maker* was a breath of fresh air, signaling a return to the roots of rock and blues. The album’s embrace of classic rock tropes was both a tribute and a statement of intent, positioning The Black Crowes as torchbearers for a new generation[2]. --- ## Influence and Legacy **Impact on Rock Music** - *Shake Your Money Maker* sold over five million copies in the US, making it one of the most successful debut albums of the era[2]. - The album’s success helped spark a wider revival of roots-oriented rock in the 1990s, influencing bands like The White Stripes, Kings of Leon, and Blackberry Smoke[2]. - The Black Crowes’ willingness to cover Otis Redding and channel the Stones and Faces set a precedent for authenticity and reverence for musical heritage. **Critical Reception** - Critics praised the album’s energy, songwriting, and musicianship. *Rolling Stone* called it “a supertight groove album that bar-band dreams are made of,” and *AllMusic* awarded it 4.5 stars[2]. - The band received a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist in 1991, further cementing their place in rock history[2]. **Enduring Appeal** - The album’s singles remain staples of classic rock radio, and songs like “She Talks to Angels” have become enduring anthems. - Anniversary reissues and continued touring by the band underscore the album’s lasting significance. --- ## Pros and Cons | Pros | Cons | |------|------| | Authentic, rootsy sound that revived classic rock for a new era[2] | Some critics argue the album is too derivative of its influences (Stones, Faces)[2] | | Strong songwriting and memorable hooks throughout | Lyrical depth varies; some tracks are more generic in theme | | Chris Robinson’s powerful, emotive vocals | Lack of sonic experimentation; sticks closely to blues-rock formula | | Stellar musicianship and tight band chemistry | Production, while warm, may feel too “safe” for listeners seeking edgier sounds | | Balanced, dynamic production that highlights each instrument | Some filler tracks (“Struttin’ Blues,” “Thick n Thin”) lack the impact of the singles | | Standout tracks (“She Talks to Angels,” “Hard to Handle,” “Jealous Again”) | The album’s retro approach may not appeal to fans of then-contemporary genres (grunge, metal) | --- ## Conclusion *Shake Your Money Maker* is an album that wears its influences proudly but transcends mere imitation through passionate performances, sharp songwriting, and a palpable love for rock’s roots. Its success was both commercial and artistic, helping to usher in a new wave of authenticity in rock music at the dawn of the 1990s[2]. The Black Crowes’ debut remains a touchstone for fans of bluesy, soulful rock, and its best moments—particularly “She Talks to Angels” and “Hard to Handle”—continue to resonate decades later. While the album’s adherence to classic rock formulas can at times feel derivative, its energy, sincerity, and craftsmanship ensure its place as one of the most important rock debuts of its era. For those seeking the sound of a band firing on all cylinders, unfiltered and unashamed of its roots, *Shake Your Money Maker* delivers in spades.
good album
Solid album you've probably heard in parts at dive bars.
One of the last bands I'll listen to on here is also one of the first bands I ever saw live, with my cousin and his then girlfriend in London. They were great! I've always thought of this of the kind of music Primal Scream pastiched in Give Out but Don't Give Up, but Black Crowes have a heartfelt sincerity that Primal Scream could never. They're kind of the Aerosmith it's OK to like.
It isn’t really something I would revisit but it had an incredible energy. Clearly written by people who love what they do. Tight performance and great guitar tones. There just isn’t enough character in the songwriting or production for my liking
Solid southern rock album. Hard to Handle and She Talks to Angels are the favorites.
Noicccce
Pretty good. Not for me.
Some good old fashioned rock
Really enjoyed it, solid melodies and well crafted
I've been stuck listening to (mostly) barely passable English music for the better part of a month now, and it's crazy to me that the moment I finally roll some good old Dad Rock from the United States, I absolutely love it. Realistically, I think this is a High 3, but the change of pace is extremely refreshing here. I kind of want to give it a 4, but the music starts sounding very same-y after the first few songs. As a whole, it's probably a 3, but compared to the other albums I've rated a 3, the more I look at it, it would be a 4 with my metric. Positives: Nothing skippable, 2 absolute bangers in "Twice As Hard" and "Hard To Handle", hell of a good debut album, and a nice, manageable 43 minute runtime. No huge negatives besides what was previously mentioned about being a bit same-y as a whole. Ok, I've convinced myself, 4 stars it is. As I start to slowly but surely add more albums, this is at the top of my list of albums I may move down to 3 stars some day. We'll see, but for now it gets a 3.8/5.
I wonder if this band was compared to Led Zeppelin as a pastiche?
Helt kul catchy bluesrock, forglemmelig men bra.
A good album, good to hear Hot to Handle as it should be
Classic bluesy rock
one of the better rock albums of 1966
it's not a bad album, it's actually pretty nice to listen to. but it also feels like the trope-iest of tropey rock music. it is really derivative of a lot of hard rock and it is really samey in a not so satisfying way. if you've heard 'hard to handle' on classic rock radio, you've heard the whole album, basically. but all that said, it's not bad, it's quite listenable. i just don't know if i appreciate it greatly.
Excellent debut album
I haven’t listened to enough black crowes.
Pretty damn good rock album!
Was a great album for teenage me
I’d get into a song and then I’d be a bit silly. I liked this though.
Good production, even if the music isn't 100% my taste. After listening to some pretty awful albums this one deserves a 4. 4/5
As much as I friggin' love this album, I still say The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion should have been included over this, as well as Amorica. But this is hands down a phenomenal album in its own right. 9.6/10 ★★★★½
Just a really cool rock 'n' roll record. With a really nice sound. 4.5 stars
Heard this album a million times -- it was one of my favorites in high school. For me, it was super fun to try to learn these songs on guitar as they use a lot of alternate tunings. When it came out, hair metal was still kind of the popular genre for rock, so this was definitely a welcome change, even if their sound owes a lot to the Faces and Rolling Stones. I think there's a ton of highlights here including "Twice as Hard", "Jealous Again", "Thick & Thin", and "Seeing Things". "Hard to Handle" and "She Talks To Angels" are a bit overplayed, but still good songs too. 4.5 stars.
There's nothing all that special about this album, but I'm just very partial to this style of hard rock. It's fun and energetic with a bunch of catchy riffs and passionate vocals. Really enjoyed it.
Not really my thing BUT by the end of this I was ready to drink too much whisky, cheat at cards, and get into a bar fight. I was afraid that it was just going to be some generic butt-rock but I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this. The Black Crowes was a band name I was familiar with but never really listened to their music before, so this is exactly why I'm going through this little listening project.
I don't know why I haven’t listened to a lot of The Black Crowes music, but I do like this very much. I'll revisit their music again. For now I'm pushing it to a 4.
Oeh, hier had ik nu net zin in. Ik luister momenteel veel oude Rod Stewart-platen en dit past helemaal in dat straatje. The Black Crowes was een van die bands die ik veel op MTV zag toen ik jong was en muziek begon te ontdekken. Dat was precies rond de tijd dat dit album uitkwam. Het is een heel consistente plaat. Eigenlijk geen nummers die je wilt overslaan. Tot je bij "She Talks to Angels" komt. Een soort ballad over een verslaafd meisje. De muziek is nog steeds goed, maar de tekst is een beetje klungelig en clichématig. Direct hierna komt "Struttin' Blues", wat een beetje te veel doorslaat naar jaren 80-rock. Enfin, vier sterren is het zeker waard vanwege de 7 eerste tracks van perfecte 70's rock. Echt zo'n plaat waar je altijd wel zin voor kunt maken. Des te meer te prijzen omdat iedereen toen ofwel nog in de hairmetal-fase zat, ofwel op de grunge-bandwagon sprong. Hoewel het an sich niet de meest originele muziek is, was het voor die tijd dus toch ook wel weer een frisse keuze.
#545. It very much seems like they're trying to be something and somewhen they are not. The cultural appropriation vibes aren't lessened by the fact that the biggest hit on this album is an Otis Redding cover. I know it sounds like I think it's very good, but I'm not done yet, hear me out. Just like the Beastie Boys and Taco Bell, just because it's inauthentic doesn't mean it isn't good. 4/5: quesarito
An absolute joy to revisit this album that I probably haven’t listened to in 30 years. They have a unique style that is blues influenced traditional rock and roll with obvious 60s and 70s influence. The vocals are perfect for the songs and the songs make for a pleasant and fun listen. Back in the day Hard to Handle drew me to this band which is a cover version that they have made their own. Top track: Twice as Hard
Fine rock album, pleasant listen without many bad songs. Nothing too inspiring or revolutionary though
Very cool
Nostalgia
This was a great album that I had not heard til now. Hard to Handle I often attributed to some late 70s rock band without ever knowing it was The Black Crowes. Overall very enjoyable.
Surprising number of recognized singles. Fun sound!
This is some sexy blues rock right here. I’m digging it. 4.5
It’s fun. It’s like a karaoke/cover band/nod to an era that had disappeared. Yea, they just wanted to the be the Stones. But they had some hits. Fresh air from hair bands, rock could still be a traditional “rock band.” They got an ego, it wasn’t as amazing as they probably felt like they were. But they created a world and they lived in it for YEARS and still are. That’s success.
I had never really thought too much about the song Hard to Handle, but it's a song I've always enjoyed as a rock staple. I was pleasntly surprised by this album. For weeks I've been trapped between 80s punk and 90s electronica, so this was welcomed. I like Chris Robinson's voice, and the blues rock is well executed. Twice as Hard, Jealous Again, and Hard ro Handle are all pretty good. My favorite was Stare it Cold, the ending goes wild and is a ton of fun. Not sure when I'll come back. But glad I know more about the Black Crowes.
I would never typically reach for this. so it was a pleasant surprise!
All the damn hits! As much as they are radio fodder today, I know when it came out it was huge and groundbreaking. 3.5, rounding up.
This is a great album. Closer to a 4.5 but not quite there. So 4 stars it is.
3.5
Very 70s, but they do it well
Was expecting very little and came away very impressed. Could have been a 5 on another day
Good old school rock
listen, She Talks to Angels is one of my karaoke bangers so I gotta give it props for that, and you know the rest of the album is good! not great, but definitely a fun listen. Hard to Handle is a fun break from the more serious drunk and broken heart vibes.
The best dive bar album. If there’s sad drunks sitting at the bar crying… chances are they’re listening to “She Talks to Angels” (or Lightning Crashes by Live let’s be real). I overheard a guy at a local dive bar/karaoke spot say “That’s the most beautiful song ever written” and I just gotta say… listen to more songs dude. But this albums hella fun and there’s lots of bangers to sing along to on a road trip
I read recently a theory about how the Black Crowes (particularly after this album) got overlooked because they didn't fit in with the grunge movement. I suspect that's pretty accurate. Solid album and band.
Give me some whiskey, a bonfire, good friends, and throw this album on. That’s living. 4/5 Highlights: Twice As Hard Hard to Handle Struttin’ Blues
Really good
Good album. I like their sound.
Favorite Track: She Talks To Angels
Damn, it’s a good album. Never heard of it before, never heard of them before, but it’s fun, thrilling, and genuine entertainment. I see nothing wrong with this album, it’s fun and good.
This rocks! Surprised this hasn’t been more lasting and present. It is a bit cheesy but stacks up with a lot of the early 2000 garage revival stuff.
Solid album. Feels like derivative 80s rock but that’s okay.
Kinda forgot about these guys since I don't listen to the radio much anymore. Solid rock band right here.
After albums worth of psychedelic rock, alt rock, pop rock and folk rock, it sure is nice to go back and listen to some basic good old fashioned rock, no extra adjectives needed. A delightfully easy listen.
A definite rock-n-roll album. Another nostalgic one. I remember this one being on repeat on CD growing up.
Feels like Lynyrd Skynyrd with a bit more edge. The riffs are catchy, and the vocals have this smoky, Southern vibe. It’s straightforward, no frills, just solid rock with some blues in its veins.
One great song, two really good songs, and a bunch of okay songs equals 4 stars or B-.
All you unoriginal reviewers squawking about how BC sound like The Rolling Stones pick up your Obviously But button on the way to the next Nick Cave record
Hell of a debut album. That’s some good southern rock. Knew the song Hard To Handle, but not its name or artist [that wrote it (Otis Redding) or popularized it]. This album also cemented for me that I fucks with an organ. ✅✅✅ Sister Luck ✅✅✅Seeing Things—particularly the slow bits ✅✅✅ She Talks to Angels
9/10
Loved it
4 - thought this would be rock from a little earlier with how it sounded, had some songs I recognized
Yes, it is early 90’s garage band music, but I have always enjoyed their sound. This album has a lot of their hits on it.
Refrescante rock del bueno y original.
Solid 4. The hits are great and the rest is a solid play through. I never really made this connection before but if anything ever happened to Jeff Keith, Chris Robinson is the only singer that I can think of that could step in and effectively front Tesla.
I played the hell out of this album when it first came out. Listening to it again definitely made me shake my own money maker. With obvious comparisons to the Stones and Faces, it’s still a really strong debut with tons of bangers. A couple of non-hits were also pretty solid. Doesn’t quite make the top rating, but pretty darn close.
Really enjoyed this. Everything you want in a solid rock album. Great riffs, solid singer, little blues, maybe some boogie woogie and great ballads. She’s Talks to Angels is one of my all time faves…although I’ve prob broke way too many strings getting into tuning.
All their hits in one album but for some reason I'm not able to go up to 5*. Maybe because the surprise factor is low...heard these songs a million times. I am never drawn to put on any of their records for some reason. That said, still easily a 4* album. My favorite is prob the opener which rips. 4/5
A southern rock banger! From start to finish, you get classical blues infused bangers and ballads that are just so hard to resist. There is nothing novel here or experimental. They just stick to the rules of the genre to give a proper old school dad rock album. Favorites:Twice as Hard, Hard To Handle, Seeing Things for the First Time,She Talks to Angels.
Very enjoyable album
yknow, I thought this was pretty cool. I've probably heard a few songs on here beyond hard to handle but I wouldn't know. The sound is good. There's some zepelin in here, Springsteen and even some ACDC inspiration. It's a blend with pretty good instrumentation and good fundamentals. I liked the aesthetic of the album and I think everything works for a nice package of songs.
Man, are all their songs just on this album? Did the Black Crowes just put out one album in 1990 and ride that for eternity? I mean more power to them, just crazy that every song I've ever heard from them is on this album. The singles are all great; they're like if Skynyrd wasn't a mess or if Corrosion of Conformity weren't a hard rock band. For once the piano and organ don't feel out of place in a 90's album. I prefer the faster songs than the ballads, but that doesn't take away from the feel of the whole thing, and if it was all uptempo it would be too manic. Of the songs I hadn't heard, "Struttin Blues" was my favorite. Just a good fun time, played well and not too long. I really liked this! It's wild to me that nearly half the songs on here are genuine hit singles. What a way to blow your load early.
Good, straightforward bluesy rock. Shame they're only know for a cover song, their other tracks are great.
Great rock music with some rock and roll hints
Really enjoyed this
Hard to handle rocks 🤘
Pretty solid....
I knew Hard To Handle, and while I prefer Otis, it's a good cover. The other song I knew was She Talks To Angels, which is a 5/5 song - beautiful and heartbreaking, and I'll always love it. My favorite song I didnt know was Sister Luck. Overall, this was a really good album, and I really like his voice.
Love this album. Grew up listening and enjoying it is more accurate. The vocals are unique, but not quite technically great. The instrumentation has the opposite effects. They are playing technically well, but completely unoriginal. Not to point of being derivative, though. If all the tracks were covers, I’d have a big issue because it’d feel like a completely unoriginal piece of art. However, only two are covers. The issue is that one of those covers is the bands most popular song. The changed it up just enough that it justifies itself, though. Other than “She Talks to Angels”, which is a beautiful song, the rest are a tad forgettable. Still fun throughout. 4/5
A solid debut that came out in a lull of a year. Chris Robinson's vocals evoke such earlier bands as Lynyrd Skynyrd, but there's still something unique. The band still has relevance all these years later. It's a shame they still have yet to be inducted into the Rock Hall.
idk what i was expecting, but it wasnt Kind Of A Version Of Exile Era Stones I Can Actually Tolerate. its actually very easy to improve on that central rackous southern tinged rock n roll Cascade with lots of pianos: less lengthy, less racist, less mick jagger! just real good fun and enthusiastically performed rock music, with enough little quirks to make me believe if i ever came back to rly soak in this id find a lot of genuine idiosyncrasy. im fine with just appreciating the enjoyable surface level atm tho! this may be the first time in this project where i get a fuller recontextualization of a song i hear all the time at work, which is something ive enjoyed doing periodically as my brain stockholm syndromes itself into classic rock mode
Incredible ol' American rock. I love this sound and vibe. They have some incredible banger tunes on here. With that I mostly mean head banger and boppin sound, because I must admit only one song was truly remarkable, which is kinda sad. Still enjoyed and I will definitely look up what other songs they have to offer.
Great album. Lot of fun to listen to.
I remember this coming out. New sound. Enjoyed it and still do.
That sweet sweet guitar!
This is good bar music. I can almost feel my shoes sticking to the wooden boards as I walk across a smokey bar to get to the jukebox.
blues-based rock, can't go wrong
Hey little thing let me light your candle cause Mama I'm sure hard to handle now ______ ___. Wth is he saying? I've seen it listed as at least three things. Anywho...saw this tour when I was in college. Opened for ZZTop at the Nuthouse. Great show.
We really needed The Black Crows when they came on the scene. Music was in a weird in-between place and Shake Your Money Maker produced hit after hit and appealed to multiple genres. I’m not a fan, but I do own She Talks To Angels on cassette single and acknowledge their pop culture significance.
I kinda forgot how much I liked this album
No private session used for Spotify. It's rock, straight forward rock with a southern flare. I don't know if I will ever have this one in constant rotation, but it's good.
Great album. Always wanted to see them in concert but heard they suck. It also seems like they're kinda dicks, but - whatever - the music's great.
listened to the first half and thought it was alright, came back for the second half and decided it was amazing so i went back and listened to the whole thing again and can confirm the second half of this is better
This album went exactly how I expected it to go. I knew hard to handle before starting this album and all of the songs maintain a similar vibe throughout the project. Hard to Handle was fantastic as always and the rest of the album had great tracks with a good mix of instrumentation. Overall 7/10
17/9/24 Throughly enjoyed this album.
Pretty good. Some of the songs sound like they would’ve been on the radio in the late 2000s. I’m surprised that they chose Seeing Things and She Talks to Angels to be the two singles, I didn’t think they were the best on the album.
This is some red firebird good ol rock. Fun album. Soft 4 stars for me
I think that every Black Crowes song that I know is on this album which going into this was 4 of them. Those songs are all great and then the new songs that I have just learned are also pretty great. Really like the variety of straight up rock and then some slower more ballad type songs. Nothing phenomenal about this album, just a straight up good time. ***Bonus points for the Black Crowes being massive Orioles fans
Great album, 4.5
As a 90s kid I've heard the hits here a ton. I've never listened to the whole record though. It's really solid. Not enough brilliance to get to a 5, but an easy 4.
I love this album
I'm really at a 3.5 with this, but there is undeniable brilliance on some tracks, so it gets the bump. I'm a fan of the Black Crowes, though this was never my fave in their catalog. I enjoy the albums where the band started stretching out and got a little more experimental and perhaps even contentious. But this is a solid debut, lots of swagger and confidence and they emerge as a pretty self-realized outfit. But it's a little too straight-down-the-middle to rise to the top of my charts, and IMO there's more interesting material to choose from. But, we're witness to the birth of a classic here.
American rock! And I like it!
Good record, great live band judging by the concert at the back end of the deluxe edition. Tight band, great classic rock vocals.
Fun album with some solid jams. I listened to this quite a bit when it came out, and it's held up well in my opinion.
Really enjoyable classic rock album. Definitely got a massive Stones influence a d arguably lacks some originality but the production and tunes are really strong and it just rocks
Love the Black Crowes!!
Honestly, I went into this album not wanting to enjoy it. I saw the Black Crowes live maybe around 6 years ago as a friend bought 2 tickets then broke up with his partner, so he had a free one going spare. Every song was about 20 minutes long because they extended the guitar solos by about 18 minutes, with the lead guitarist giving constant orgasm faces throughout. Thankfully, they know how to write a reasonable 8 bar solo in the studio, which made this album much more palatable than seeing them live. This is straight up blues/soul rock, and was genuinely really good. I just didn’t want it to be. Just don’t see them live.
southern tinged blues rock. stacked with radio singles. overall, an outstanding debut album, one that they should be proud of. highlights: “twice as hard” “jealous again” “hard to handle” “she talks to angels”
Forgot to rate this before. Great album.
Really liked this album!
Bien, un buen disco bien armado.
Makes me want to drink whiskey and ride motorbikes. Top class 90’s bluesy rock that had me hooked from the opening riff of Twice As Hard.
Solid debut.
Such a great album from a band that pretty much was swallowed up by others at the time. These guys were like mystery men releasing many radio hits while all of the bigger artists were dominating the scene. Props to the underdog, these songs can still be heard on classic rock radio today. While I don't think the music is fantastic, there is objective proof that these songs stand the test of time and secure their spot on this list.
Sounds rough and tumble
The late eighties and early nineties say a lot of sheer wankery in Rock Music, but The Black Crowes announced their arrival with this album, an album birthed from seventies back-to-basics southern boogie. So, it's not very flashy, just good solid rockin'. Alas, it does mean it's more competent than inspired, and after a couple of listens through, nothing really had stuck in my brain. Good, but not outstanding..
generic? yes unoriginal? yes still fun? yes!!!!! twice as hard is bonkers!!!! so good!!!!! holy crap!!! the most 3.5/5 album to ever 3.5/5
Solid Southern rock album. In the late 80s/early 90s, there weren't really any other significant bands making this kind of music. For them to have the success they had with this sound in that time period, it shows how good they were at their craft.
Worth going back to
enjoyable listen
Here...pretty good music
Ok rock album
It was going to be a 3 for me but She Talks to Angels is worth an additional star.
Ma che bello
good one
I never really paid much attention to this band before, only knowing the radio hits. Thinking about it I'm sure this is down to timing. This was released the same time as the grunge, alt and thrash explosion at the start of the 90's. This just didn't fit in. I can't recall anyone listening to, or even talking about this band back then. I really enjoyed this album and I will most likely revisit it in the future. My only gripe with it is that there is nothing new or innovative. This could have been released in the 70's and fit right in.
Shake Your Money Maker was quite the fun album if i do say so myself. The best part of this album to me was easily the melodies, Chris Robinson really brought them all to life with his singing as did all the music but it was mostly the vocal melodies that stole the show. The album also did not have a bad song or get boring like most other albums did. I'm honestly unsure of what else I'm supposed to say about this album so all i will say about it is that it is a great fun album that i really enjoyed the whole way through. Best Song: Could I've Been So Blind Worst Song: She Talks To Angels
What can be said about this album. Total classic. Nothing mind blowing. Just a damn good rock album.
I had only listened to their greatest hits before this. I was disappointed to find that nearly all of their “greatest hits” were found on this album. They hit gold with this album, but have done absolutely nothing since then. It’s odd that this album came around right before grunge. It doesn’t fit with anything else of its era. I guess we can it good, clean rock-n-roll.
Great rock album
Some fun rock and roll. Nothing exceptional, but enjoyable.
Really solid album with a lot of enrgy and a number of real standout tracks. Close to a 4.5 for me. This one was a real surprise for me.
I feel like I could be dismissive and just call them a standard bar band, but I think there's more than that. It's Stones-y, Allman Brothers-y, with a healthy slab of the latter. I think the one thing that takes away from the experience is the super modern production. Everything on this record has a huge, huge shine to it, and I think it would do better with a little grit, especially with the, uh, dirtier tracks? It's still not bad. Didn't think I would've enjoyed it this much. Call it a 3.5. Favorite tracks: "Sister Luck", "Jealous Again"
An absolute beaut of an album. Driving that southern rock hype of the 60/70s dead smack into the 90s with hit after hit after hit after hit. I don’t think one of these songs disappoints, and to make it even sweeter, it was their debut album. I’ll tell ya one thing, my money maker was shakin’ all over the shop. Extra credit for those in the know, Rick Rubin was a ghost producer until the album made it big. Twice as Hard Sister Luck Could I’ve Been so Blind Struttin’ Blues
Solid album.
The fussin’ & fighting Robinson brothers carry on the tradition of Southern rock & blues born from the Allman Brothers etc. A great debut album with a shared sound & a uniquely original sound.
Is it pretty derivative blues rock? Yes. Is it fairly generic and predictable? Sure. Did I enjoy almost all of it for just being pure rock n fun? Well, yes I did.
Pretty solid, I liked it more than I thought I would.
The Black Crowes! Det var ett tag sen. Varför då? Det här är ju bra. Stark första låt. Hoppas det håller hela vägen. Jag gillar sången. Tycker det håller gillar kombon rock och blues. Bra slammer.
Svårt bra öppning. Andra låten är för bluesig. Sen är det upp och ned. Vissa är schyssta. Andra är för bluesiga.
Genomgående en riktigt bra skiva utan dåliga låtar. Möjligtvis lite för likformig, men ändå en stabil fyra.
Really enjoyed this. Fantastic classic rock with a bit of a punk twist to it. But also it's a band that I had truly forgotten about until listening to this album, including Hard to Handle. Enjoyable, maybe a bit forgettable, but overall a fun album.
Solid, pretty good, but not quite my thing. Or maybe a victim of this album being overplayed back when it was released. Regardless, this album is catchy enough to get a begrudging four stars from me.
8/10. It had some really nice tracks, but also some boring fillers. :)
Throwback with good vibes
In a pop world where rock and roll was almost exclusively soft rock or hair metal, these guys were a hurricane of fresh air. When I was a younger drummer, my little cover band wanted to play Hard to Handle. Very popular on the radio at the time. I learned a powerful lesson of playing with steady clarity. Keep the beat, lay the foundation, get out of the way so the rest of the band can do their work. There's a lot of power you can generate when you play the drums with simple clarity. The intro on Hard to Handle is on my list of great and understated licks of all time.
I bought this CD when it came out in ‘90. I thought at the time they were a Faces and Rolling Stones rip-off, and enjoyed it probably because of that. I didn’t really follow them after this album as I moved on to other music, but sort of regret it now since it’s really great. Played a couple of these tunes that was fun to play in an old cover band I was in.
What the Rolling Stones were trying to be! I haven't really thought about The Black Crowes for a long time. They were one of the more reputable bands you might see on "Raw Power" later called, "Noisy Mothers" - the late night rock and metal show in the nineties. I quite enjoyed this album! I don't know when I'd want to go out of my way to listen to it, but it was fun to listen to when I did.
Straight-ahead, pure rock & roll. Still works.
Great tunes, these guys rock
Just straight forward blues rock. There are some great tunes on this album. I listened to this tape (as in cassette) extensively when it came out back in high school. Chris Robinson’s voice was just raspy enough to be interesting. It isn’t necessarily a complicated album, which is why it works. Unfortunately everything they did after was forgettable, if even noticed.
Rockers are 5 star, ballads are 2 star, raising this average up to a 4 star review because of how cool the Robinson bros always look
Solid rock album. The songs immediately put me in a good mood. There's nothing super unique about it, but all together it's a solid album.
Derivative and all, but like keith richards who they borrow from liberally its about the competence and the feel. Solo's aren't quite to ol keefs level, but the rhythm is slinky open chord shit, and is very tight. And they just have good songs, and even give a rendering of one that otis owned without making it feel inessential. White soul singing is competent. Pretty much all the songs I recognized (missing remedy, a tight one) are on this album as well making it a powerhouse. Hey little thing let me light your candle.
own
Great southern rock!!
When the first track started, I was 100% in. Hard guitars with some bluesy influence. Vocals with attitude and confidence with a raspy tone. Music made to be played loud. What more could I want? Five stars, easy. No need to debate. This would keep the hype train rolling after last week’s amazing run. But then, as it went on, I realized that this was too perfect. That this sound wasn’t something new. That it was a rehash, a repackaging of sounds and styles heard in the 60’s and 70’s from bands like The Rolling Stones. Then the dreaded D word came to mind. The one that can make you sound like a snobby, party pooper, Debbie downer of a music fan - derivative. Yes, at a certain point (maybe about halfway through), I went from absolutely loving this album to realizing that these guys were wearing their influences on their sleeves a little too much. There’s a fine line between being derivative and simply being influenced. The band Jet comes to mind when I think of bands with derivative sounds. I think these guys are kind of in that same vein. They’re amazing if you haven’t heard much of 70’s blues and rock. But if you have, even just a little, this isn’t anything new. The Stone Roses did do something new and creative and interesting and that’s why they got five stars. These guys didn’t. And that’s a bummer because this was going to be an easy five stars. Instead, it gets 4. It might be derivative, but it’s a blast to listen to and I’ll look forward to the tracks listed below popping up on my playlist. Four stars. Standout Tracks: Twice As Hard, Could I’ve Been So Blind, Seeing Things, Hard to Handle, Struttin’ Blues
Bangers. Why the lazy fade outs though :/
Favourite tracks: twice as hard; jealous again; she talks to angels; hard to handle; sister to luck
Great 90s songs. Like their sound
Now I like this album. I rerally do like this album. Its got a great cover version in 'hard to handle' and walks the line between Aerosmith and the Stones in a southern boogie fashion brilliantly. Chris Robinson has one of the most authentic voices in blues based hard rock. But is it a one in a thousand to listen to? I prefer its follow up, the Southern Harmony.
Now we know what ac/dc would sound like doing southern rock.
Solid early 90's hard rock, featuring some really catchy hooks and great lyrics. A lot of fun!
Hard to Handle a classic. Could I've Been So Blind was the one I enjoyed the most. Good mix of music and singing, didn't feel overwhelmed like some rock.
solid album honestly fell asleep but relistend it was good
Just solid rock
I was deep into Led Zeppelin when I bought this album, so it was an easy crossover for me.
Every once in a while an album comes up in this thing that brings a smile to my face, like visiting with an old friend. This is one of those albums.
A classic that gave us something different in its time.
Solid.
A lot of nice songs
4 great songs, and a solid rest of the album. I'll always have a soft spot in my heart for the Black Crowes because they introduced a teen me to blues rock, a great love of my musical life.
A nice summery Southern Rock record that worked very well with the sunny weather this week. Enjoyable
I got into these guys fairly late in the game, but this album, and all their music, has a found a place in my regular rotation. Hope to catch them live while they’re still upright and touring… and talking to each other.
I was surprised to learn that this album was released when it was! I spent so much of my adolescence in the mid to late 90s hearing these songs on the radio. I guess I never realized that The Black Crowes started as early as they did. I guess to me they always were the connective tissue between 90s alternative and 70s rock, so it makes a lot of sense that they date back as early as they do. Keeping rock alive. Good stuff.
The album is very good to sit and relax to
bardzo fajny album, sporo fajnych utworow, dodany caly do playlisty
Great songs, a little repetitive though.
Good record! I knew about 5 songs from radio, etc. there are a few songs that aren’t quite at the level of the singles but a great one to listen to overall
Nice hard rock album, could be in a summer driving CD. Stand-out: Could I've Been So Blind
Jealous Again and Hard to Handle are still very catchy. Seeing Things is a great song, very heartfelt and with a lot of emotion behind it. She Talks to Angels is a beautiful song. Overall good album with great sound. I really enjoyed it, and knew more songs than I realized. 4
Ma che bello
What a way to break into the music scene- Great album!
i didn’t think i was familiar with this band/album at all until Hard To Handle came on. enjoyed this one!
The Black Crowes are a band I've never explored, despite enjoying every song I've heard of theirs. The two I knew from this album, "She Talks to Angels" and their iconic cover of "Hard to Handle", are representative of their sound here: bluesy and rocking! If blues rock is what you're looking for, it's here in spades, and they do it well. As the album came to its end, I did start to feel that the songs were beginning to feel a touch samey, but I liked their sound. Yes, maybe it's "bar music", but I like to drink.
OMG liked it wayyyy more than i anticipated!
Pretty fun album, good old rock 'n roll that's kind of an outlier for its time.
A good listen.
Good old fashioned rock and roll. Really liked the Otis Redding song.
Enjoyed this
I’d listened to this before and while I still don’t love it, I have a greater appreciation for it. It is a perfect album for the transition from the 80’s hair rock and the 90’s rock going into grunge. It’s not a repeat listen, but a fun one that I can certainly see why people like it.
Enjoyed this album and had heard a couple songs.
nice rock and roll
Just mildly interresting.
Generally enjoyable
This album deserves some context. There was nothing like it on the radio when it released. Here's the Billboard hot 100 from that time: 1. Michael Bolton - How am I Supposed 2. Paula Abdul - Opposites Attract 3. Rod Stewart - Downtown Train 4. Seduction - Two to Make it Right 5. Aerosmith - Janie's Got a Gun It was a welcome change.
Pre listening: A few weeks ago I saw a car with license plate that was something like “BLK CRWS” and other decals related to this band and I thought, I have never in my life considered for even a moment the idea that the Black Crowes could be someone’s favorite band. Welp, time to find out what the fuss is about and whether they’re just a one-hit wonder. Listening: this is more fun than I expected. Never going to be my favorite band, but I could see why someone would like them. And, bonus, now I know what he’s saying in the chorus of Hard to Handle. And I know that song is called Hard to Handle! Learned so much today.
I had the Black Crows greatest hits on CD. It was pretty good and a good chunk of those greatest hits appear on this album, which is also pretty good. Definite American road trip montage vibes. Rating: 3.5/5 Playlist track: Hard to Handle Date listened: 24/03/24
alto album
Great album!
Love the Black Crowes. Derivative of 60s/70s blues rock? Sure, but this record sounds great, . Not nearly as good as their second record, but not a bad start. I'm not sure how other reviewers lump this in with alternative, unless they mean alternative from lame hair metal and shitty pop records from that era. I don't know that it is a "must listen before you die" album, but it is staying in my collection.
*Shake Your Money Maker* starts strong with "Twice As Hard" , "Jealous Again" and "Sister Luck", with a nice "classic" bluesy rock feel to those cuts that hearkens back to the legendary early-seventies Rolling Stones era (circa-*Sticky Fingers* and *Exile On Main Street*). The thing is, as skilled as Chris and Rich Robinson are as performers, they're not exactly in the same league as Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, as the rest of the album proves. Then again, nobody is, and you can bet your cowboy boots that the Robinson brothers were themselves too respectful of their models to claim the contrary. So what matters the most here is that their music is aptly composed, well-played and feels heartfelt most of the time. In such "retro-genres", you need that sort of thing to stand out from the pack. And ballad "She Talks To Angels" is a wonderful example of the ways the Black Crowes can stand out. It's the sort of "peak" that surges during the second part of this LP that helps you follow it until the very end. Besides, the voluntary "derivative" aspect of the record is actually not such a big crime when compared to its undeniable assets. For example, its sound aged extremely well for a record released minutes after the end of the dreadful, "gated-drums"-infested eighties. Secondly, *Shake Your Money Maker* actually manages to appear timeless *thanks to* its reverence to the past. This thing could have been recorded yesterday, and not only because it harbors appropriate production values for the genre. But also because there are enough moments in it that proves that "classic rock" can still be fun to listen to, whether in 1990 or in 2024. All of this proves the Black Crowes had taste, at least. And you can only commend them for wanting to do their own thing at a time where such retro endeavors were not that fashionable. Remember: they still hit the charts with some of those songs anyway! Two birds, one stone. Wikipedia points out: 'In Entertainment Weekly, Dave Marsh wrote, "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 concur with that analogy, as strange as it is. And the years that have passed since the days it was uttered only confirm how fair it is. Christian Slater has never reached the legendary status of a Jack Nicholson. But he's a fine actor, and has been involved in all sorts of interesting projects. So I like him. Just as I think I "like" the Black Crowes now. 3.5/5 for the purposes of this list gathering "essential albums", rounded up to 4. Which translates to a 8.5/10 grade for more general purposes (5+3.5). Number of albums left to review: 251 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 326 Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 188 (including this one) Albums from the list I won't include in mine (many other records are more important to me): 241
Good old, Black Crowes.
Just a solid and great rock album. My only knock is a lot of the album blends together.
Perfect guitar rock, somtmes sounds a little like AC/DC
I still dig this album. It was such a nice break from all the pop-metal on the radio at the time, and I played the crap out of it. The first two Lenny Kravitz albums offered similar relief. The second Black Crowes album is much better, but this one served me well.
Great album. Great voice, great guitars. 4 stars
4-
Super listenable. I'm not sure if I'd put this album in some kind of blues/rock pantheon, but I like The Black Crowes so this was an easy one to breeze through while making coffee and getting my day started. I have, and will again, come back to this one.