Shake Your Money Maker

5/10 meh

If you know someone that aspires to be in a rock band and make it big, this is an album you could give them. It proves that you don't really have to be exceptional to be famous and make the cash. Rough? Sure. Accurate? Definitely. I don't think there's one musician here that is exceptional. The drummer hits that 4/4. The bassist stays in lockstep. The guitars are serviceable. Fine, but nothing memorable/new/interesting. The singer's voice is fine. Like, of course he's experienced and trained a bit, but there's nothing interesting/different about his voice. Sounds like a million other young white dudes. All of that sounds like I hate it. I don't. It's fine. The singles are the best part of it and are the only one's that sound like they've put in a little extra effort. (Good job, producer guy!) It's a 3 with the 1 star bump putting them there because of "Hard to Handle" and "She Talks to Angels". Otherwise, this sounds like a 2 star recording of a pretty good bar band.

3.4 2x a couple of memorable tracks but overall not in my top

2.5 stars if I could. It’s alright. In 50 years if someone asks if I’ve listened to this album I’d probably have forgotten about it.

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.

this the shit ur dad plays in his truck

fav song: hard to handle my dad already showed me the only good song on this album smh

Very solid rock. Some absolute bangers on here as well

A fine album, but not my kinda thing.

Got some toe tappers on here but really slides off me. Like a lot of southern rock/blues rock worship, this is music for the grill which means that half a case deep, I'll love it and be convinced that it's The Truth. But listening to it intently and sober as an album, it's got diminishing returns track to track.

very good rock

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

Im still not a fan of live albums as an introduction to a band, but this has good energy and was fun. Way too long but not bad

Good album

Classic 90's rock, easy listening. 6/10

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.

Best Track - "Hard To Handle"

acdc but refined

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.

There were two bands in the 90’s with crows in the name and I don’t know which one I hated more. Based on this album, I hate The Black Crowes more. I knew Hard to Handle, but the original by Otis Redding is much better. I had also heard She Talks to Angels before.

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.

I can’t say anything better than the person that said this was half zeppelin and half hootie. Unfortunately it was the bad half of both of them. I have no song to highlight, as this one was a total slog and an affront to musical originality altogether. But, I must acknowledge that it wasn’t performed horribly, at points. So a very soft 2/5, but should probably be a 1/5 in the context of this list

Pretty good rock ‘n roll. Can’t complain. I definitely think 70s rock trumps 80s for me. Not sure the 80s always lands for me. But these fellas ain’t bad. Lost a League game to ts.

Surprised by how much I enjoyed

I love dad rock from time to time

Trying to revive 70s hard rock and blues rock with 90s production can either work really well or really badly. The Black Crowes make it really badly because they barely sound unique at it, so what's the point of listening to them when I can listen to... idk anything else. Just, no thank you.

Good

Seeing Things

Talk about being late to the party!

I like the balance of this music

Middle of the road good, about a 3. Probably wouldn't skip past anything in the album but wouldn't go out of my way to put it on.

love this album so much

Good variety of beats, good vocal, good album.

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!

Better than Coldplay

Great album!!

Boring and generic

The Good: We get to shake our money maker! The Bad: I am always getting told I lack in the money maker department… The Ugly: Me taking a critical look at my ass… What is there to say about this album that hasn’t been said before? Oh, I know, I remember people thinking I got into a car accident as Jealous Again kicked in on my car radio with the volume at full throttle! I’ve had copies of the album on cassette, CD, and vinyl. Why? Because it was such a refreshing sound in an era of too much hair-spray metal, and my old car got replaced by a new car, and this and that… Anyway, to those who don’t like this album; your loss! 5*

Okay, I’ll shake my money maker, though not when anyone is watching. I’m a really bad dancer

1. tuuice - 1.5 2. jealouz - 1 3. zizter - 1 4. Blind - 1 5. Things - 1.5 6. Handle - 1 7. Thick - 1 8. Angels - 1.5 9. Blues - 1 10. Cold -1 Not one good song

The sounds are so good

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

yeah well it's a rock album

Forgot about this band, though I did like them back in the day. So on the negative side, they didn’t hold up as memorable for me. But a few good songs I still like, and a big improvement over the preceding decade of 80s rock. I enjoyed listening after all these years but probably won’t play it again.

thought i did not really care about the black crowes, this album changed my mind

Dope

It’s not dreadful but I didn’t need to listen to it. Probably better enjoyed with some neon lights, a Budweiser, and a pool cue.

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.

I very much enjoy the Black Crowes This album always left me wanting more though. It definitely feels like a warm-up. Some of the songs just feel half baked. She Talks to Angels is definitely excellent. Their second album, The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion is an absolute rock masterpiece of the 90’s.

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.

Good old blues at its finest. Timeless in the best way.

This was cute inoffensive dad rock

Decent but derivative. Feels like the soundtrack to a direct-to-video musical biopic for someone more famous, but they couldn't clear the music rights.

Another case of an album being here because of the single

Sounds like Southern rock for tough guys who deep down just want to be loved, but they're misunderstood because everybody just sees them getting wasted and into fights so everybody mistakes them for violent drunkards.

Classic

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 listened to it 3 times, not my genre, but not offensive.

Overall a fine album. Nothing exciting but nothing terrible. Something inoffensive to play in the background

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.

Very well-done with a couple good songs. It did get a little monotonous at a certain point. Best song: She Talks to Angels

Good roots rock/Southern rock album from the early 90s. It doesn't sound really dated which is nice though overall it didn't grab me very much. It's the kind of music I would enjoy in a pub or live concert though.

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?

Not bad, again not the type of music I enjoy listening to

Repetitive lyrics and somewhat annoying vocals. The only thing that I could enjoy was the instrumentation. Favourite Track(s): Thick N' Thin Least Favourite Track(s): Could I've Been So Blind

An awesome album, plenty of emotion, and of course southern rock blues. Ideal for a low energy chill

Decent

An extraordinary debut. Incredibly, they get even better with their next two albums. Here they sound like a band who believes they're great. Going forward, they sound like a band who knows the world believes they're great. Because they get better I was tempted to give it a 4. But this album is also important because, along with Appetite for Destruction, it helped to break the music industry's fevered and misguided commitment to solid state processors. It helped convinced the suits that people still wanted to listen to tube driven amps, and drummers instead of machines, and B3s and Rhodes instead of FM Synths. Thank GOD for that.

Liked this more than I thought I would. Catchy riffs, I like the rhythm throughout. Big fan of rock music with singers who can actually hold a tune.

Amazing

2.5

Ive heard most of these... Not really a fan but I get it

Previous review: "This was the album I needed, I had no idea! I know their top hits “Hard To Handle” and “She Talks to Angels”, but I’ve never paid them much attention. What a mistake that was, this is an amazing blues rock record and I’m glad to have discovered it. So many great tracks, didn’t skip any - starting on a high and ended on one. I WILL listen to more of their discography." Still a great album, and yes, I have listened to more of there discography since. 5

Not bad, but also nothing spectacular. The guitar work was pretty good though.

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’.

Great dad blues-rock. A few bangers and the rest is pretty solid. Very enjoyable/easy listen

2 1/2. Not my cup of tea.

Had the same vibes as Aerosmith to me, but just sounded better.

I don’t like this.

It’s gotta be tough for a band when your biggest hit is a cover song, which begs the questions of why is this album on the list? I was also wondering the other day of who was ever influenced by Aerosmith, I think I found the answer.

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.

The softer stuff on this album is the best, but i just can't stand bar rock.

Your best friend’s older brother’s band playing at your favorite dive bar

A bit boring for my liking. Much prefer the Otis Redding version of Hard to Handle. This version adds nothing. All a bit 'meh' really.

That classic American kinda rock album. Talented, with lots of stories to tell, but just can't hook me. I think I'm just too far removed to even try to like it.

My fav song was Mr. Jones

i thought this band was counting crows and i was stoked to listen to it but it was actually some bullshit i did not care about at all

By the numbers rock that was more impressive before you got to know them.

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

Beautiful alt rock album. So many good songs

Decent album, good debut. Maybe they should be in the RnR HOF.

Genre - Southern Rock 1 - Twice as Hard - 7/10 2 - Jealous Again - 7/10 3 - Sister Luck - 6/10 4 - Could I've Been So Blind - 7/10 5 - Seeing Things - 7/10 6 - Hard To Handle - 8/10 7 - Thick N' Thin - 7/10 8 - She Talks To Angels - 7/10 9 - Struttin' Blues - 7/10 10 - Stare It Cold - 7/10 Every song kinda sounds the same

"Shake Your Money Maker" is a strong debut—well-produced, well-written, and confidently delivered. Its influences are easy to spot—The Faces, The Rolling Stones, and at times even Led Zeppelin—but rather than mimic them, the album tips its hat with respect and a sense of fun. It’s an enjoyable ride from start to finish. For a long time, I considered it a very good, but not quite great, record—certainly not on the level of The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion. But in hindsight, that might have been a bit unfair. Judged on its own terms, Shake Your Money Maker is an excellent and thoroughly entertaining listen. It's pure rock 'n' roll—nothing more, nothing less—and to my own surprise, it earns a 5 stars rating. Would I listen to this album again? Yes. Would I but this album? Yes, I did. 1 - "Twice As Hard"- Opens with wonderful slide guitar that is reminiscent of Jimmy Page. - 4 2 - "Jealous Again"- I defy you not to move. This is reminiscent of The Faces. Nice dynamics. Interesting guitar solo. - 5 3 - "Sister Luck"- A little change of pace. A well written, soulful tune. - 5 4- "Could I've Been So Blind"- 4 5- "Seeing Things"- 4 6- "Hard to Handle"-A great cover of the Otis Redding tune. This swaggers and struts. - 5 7- "Thick n' Thin"- Rock and Roll! Oh yes. - 5 8- "She Talks to Angels"- What a soulful voice Chris Robinson has. I prefer the acoustic version, but this is great. - 5 9- "Struttin' Blues"- 4 10- "Stare It Cold"- Oh this is wonderful. - 5 11- "Live Too Fast Blues/Mercy, Sweet Moan" (hidden track)"- 4 Total - 50 Average - 4.55

Very middle of the road contemporary-adult/dad rock. Something you'd hear at the dentist office. Not bad but also never what I'm looking for with the genre. 5/10 (2.5/5)

Very fun and evergetic. Pairs well with crocheting or doing taxes.

Couple very strong songs. Hard to Handle is a great version. But many forgettable tracks

High-key mid, generally fine but nothing exciting, mid/high 2

Excellent collection of roots rock classics. elements of american blues and rock and roll. this one should be listened to over and over.

Some solid rock tracks on here but some not so much.

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.

i like 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.

I needed to listen to the White Stripes for the better part of my Saturday after listening to this in order to get this HonkyTonk Bullshit out of my system. Why anyone would think you must listen to this album is beyond me. I‘d rather die than listen to it again

Bog standard blues rock, but that doesn't mean it's all bad. If I was at a state fair and I had a couple beers in me, I'd be super into this. But I don't think it rewards a casual listen that much. If there was something more to this, like more keys or more variety, maybe it would. Though maybe not on the variety front, since the acoustic-heavy "She Talks To Angels" is actually one of my least favorite tracks; the singer's voice seems more suited to rock songs. "Sister Luck" was probably my favorite song, it's slower too, but more of a power ballad. I kind of wonder if this would be as loved if it came out in my the 70s and wasn't seen as a throwback, because I don't think there's any doubt this is inferior to bands like The Rolling Stones.

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.

Okaish Southern Rock which perfectly goes to the Background of a bar there is not a lot of tempo variation.

It’s alright, just doesn’t really do anything new or interesting. Probably won’t listen again.

me gustó pero creo que no es digo que escucharía en este momento

Decent, bluesy and a bit heavier than expected 3.5/5

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.

Something gun'sn roses like. Didn't like. Didn't hate either, but had to combat drowsiness

ass but okay ass

• 3/5 • Talent and energy abound, but the sound is so derivative. Eminently listenable, but not memorable.

90s but stuck in the dark 80s soft rock era. Not great. Sad rural bar vibes.

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.

Retro tosh

чуть менее мелодично чем интересно долго слушать. но в целом неожиданно

Shake Your Money Maker I had a Best of the Black Crowes, and although I always liked it, it never made me want to delve into their discography. Perhaps because, even though I found them enjoyable, I wasn’t always totally convinced by their Stonesy-Aerosmithy-bluesy-southern rock-soul retroism. However, listening now I didn’t have that same sentiment - it may not be the most innovative album, but then it doesn’t need to be. As with the album title they wear their influences very clearly and unapologetically, there isn’t really the need to be innovative or original, they just need to be proficient at this type of bluesy rock’n’roll and write catchy songs, which, for the most part they do very well. They definitely benefit from Chris Robinson’s voice. Although it may not be the most nuanced it’s almost perfectly suited to this style of southern-rock, and Rich Robinson is again a fantastically well suited guitarist for this genre, and together they definitely know how to write choruses. I know they toured with Oasis, and although the musical style is different, there are clear parallels with Noel in his ability to write incredibly catchy and melodic guitar lines and riffs. The big songs I already was aware of; Twice as Hard, Jealous Again, She Talks to Angels, the cover of Hard to Handle remain excellent, but there are other great tracks too. Sister Luck builds from a nice country-blues intro full on rock song with some excellent organ swells. Could I’ve Been So Blind has one of those catchy choruses, and their melodic skill takes what could have been a rather underwhelmingly generic song and turns it into a fun little rocker. Thick’nThin’s energy and Boogie Woogie piano again take it from generic shuffle to a great bit of energetic fun. It does tail off a little after She Talks to Angels, but Struttin’ Blues, has some more excellent southern rock organ, and it finishes on the enjoyable spooky Exile on Main Street style Mercy, Sweet Moan. Set against the prevalence of cock rock/heavy metal and the burgeoning grunge scene it’s harking back to early 70s rock’n’roll would have stood out, and it has aged very well - it may not be the most forward thinking album, but it’s elevated bar room blues rock is very enjoyable and without pretension. It’s on the cusp of 3 and 4, but I’ll just tip into a 4, as it’s something I will come back to when I’m in the mood from some unchallengingly enjoyable boogie rock. 🐦‍⬛🐦‍⬛🐦‍⬛🐦‍⬛ Playlist submission: Twice as Hard

If the brief is to rewrite a bunch of Stones songs over and over again, then this passes with flying colours. Clean-to-crunch tone, big chord-based angular riffs with the classic Keef hammer-ons, weaving guitars with a rich, Ronnie-like lead. 'Sister Luck' goes to the lengths of replicating both Keith's angular open riffing, and Ronnie's blues licks over the top. 'Could I've Been So Blind' even has a middle eight that just rips 'Brown Sugar'. 'Seeing Things' goes a bit No Expectations and brings in a Fool to Cry organ. 'Jealous Again' has the perfect Stones tribute tone, with twinkling piano, it's much like 'Its Only Rock n Roll'. The Stones comparisons are endless. And the irony may be that Mick and co were watching from their Steel Wheels vantage point and weeping with envy that they were being beaten at their own game. They were mid-20s when they recorded this. This highlights the problem - it's not how derivative it is; the problem is the lack of the raw energy expected of a debut. This sounds like mid-career journeymen, content with not pushing boundaries and relentless in their formulaicness (yes, it's a fucking word). A collection of tasty hooks, even if the songs don't always do them justice, the opening two tracks and the career defining Hard to Handle cover gets it to a 'good' status.

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

Hard to Handle is definitely the main attraction here. Rest of the album is fine I guess.

At times, dollar store Lynyrd Skynyrd. Other times, dollar store Rolling Stones.

These dudes got their degrees in general rock studies.

A classic rock album that feels like it could be featured in a 90s/00s film Highlights: - Twice As Hard - Jealous Again - Could I’ve Been So Blind

Favorite: Seeing Things Similar to AC/DC or Guns'n'Roses but not as good

Good Southern rock stuff, I liked about half the songs, lots of these hit for sure

I have very fond memories of this music but wonder if I didn't have the history would I lump them with Rod Stewart?

Meh. Middle of the road 90’s rock. Nothing wrong with it, nothing great about it.

It’s an okay album. The blues/rock mashup is done well and the singer has a good voice for this style. 3/5 Might listen again

Best Song: She Talks to Angels I have some experience with this album. I went and saw the Black Crows open up for Aerosmith for this album in 1990. They got booed by the Alpine Valley crowd. On the way home, two of the four friends got very upset at me because I said that the Led Zeppelin book, 'Hammer of the Gods' was mostly bullshit. They took this very personal. Thirty-five years later, it is pretty much confirmed that book is, in fact, mostly embellished storied with some down right being false so, I was right! I'm sure, wherever those two friends are now, feel the shame of my vindication. Anyway, really good album. My only complaint is some of the songs start to sound a like a little in the back half but that is pretty common. 5/5

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.

There are maybe two good songs on this

Decent album. The first bluesy album I have been able to enjoy. This will be added to my rotation!

Dit is wel erg commerciële, inmiddels classic, rockmuziek. Een soort iets saaiere Aerosmith met wat Goo Goo Dolls ofzo. Vleugje Lenny Kravitz ook. Ik vind het niet verschrikkelijk maar ik vind het wel redelijk saai. Ik zeg het hier vaker maar dit is echt van die meuk die je vroeger op Skyradio kon verwachten. Een soort formule, alles binnen de lijntjes inclusief de perfect afgemeten gitaarsolo's. Eigenlijk is het wat oneerlijk, want alle ingrediënten zijn er voor een dikke voldoende en ook de zanger doet het eigenlijk beter dan menig andere (rock)zanger in deze lijst, maar toch neig ik heel erg naar een 2 sterren rating. Het is wat streng, maar ik hou de derde ster even op zak.

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

I’ve lived with this album for years, seen them live multiple times, and somehow still catch new things. It’s swaggering, soulful, and unapologetically steeped in classic rock and blues, yet it managed to land in 1990 and feel fresh. I love how "Sister Luck" sneaks in as this sweet, almost tender moment between all the big, strutting bangers. It’s a great reminder that this band had more than just riffs, they had range. Same goes for the album itself, it snuck into a moment dominated by hair metal on the way out and grunge on the way in, and carved out a lane that felt entirely its own. I also have to laugh that I didn’t know for years that "Hard to Handle" was a cover (Otis Redding!). It just sounds so theirs. That’s the magic of the Crowes... they make even borrowed songs feel lived-in and raw. And can we talk about Chris Robinson's Southern drawl? In "Twice As Hard," he stretches “hard” into a soulful two-syllable plea that sounds like he’s saying “hurtful,” “heartful,” or even “powerful”—depending on the moment. It’s all in the delivery, and it’s what makes this album endlessly replayable. You feel it as much as you hear it. A debut album that still feels like a greatest hits. Ready to catch their summer tour (they are touring, aren't they?)

Not my kind of music. Not bad, not good.

Awesome top to bottom. Blues rock done right

I don’t really listen to much blues, so don’t have any good insight, but sounded quite similar to Lynard Skynard to me. Bit one paced overall, and no songs really stood out to me on first listen but solid.

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.

neoriginalno, dosadno, zaboravljivo

Always found black crowes vastly overrated, it’s bang average blues rock. Telling the best song is a cover. They’re ok live though.

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

This is a weak 5, in the sense that it's listenable all the way through, with mose of the Black Crowes top hits, but the Black Crowes just generally lose their appeal after a few songs.

really nice

Oväntat generiskt och identitetslöst. Helt ok men otydliga låtar, sångare saknar karaktär. Känns som unga pojkar leker gubbrock. Kände igen too hot to handle now, ok hook men för svag hit för att lyfta album. Förstår nog inte var de hör hemma i rockhistorien eller varför skivan är med här. Vill inte höra något spår igen. Betyg: 3 av 10

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.

So, I’ve never really sat down with a whole Black Crowes record, and for the life of me, I don’t understand why not. This record released right as I was getting into hair metal, followed quickly by grunge. I always liked the radio hits in this record, but something about the southern gospel blues grooves didn’t resonate with me enough at the time for me to invest in the Black Crowes. I see now that I was a fool. The only real complaint I have with Shake Your Money Maker is that a couple of the songs (Sister Luck and maybe Seeing Things and Stare It Cold, but I need to listen to those two again) drag a little bit for me…but they’re not even bad songs, they’re just not quite as good as everything else. This record is so solid, and I’m kicking myself for waiting til 2025 to spend some time with it. Cripes, it’s a genre I actually really like too. I guess I had to grow into it. Better late than never, I suppose. 4.8/5 - Happy to round this up, and I would say the only reason it’s not clean 5 for me is cause of Sister Luck, which might be the only track I’d skip just to get to the next one more quickly.

It's a fine blues rock album, but pretty generic and forgettable. I could very easily see any of the songs being played as background noise in a bar on Broadway and I'd enjoy them in that context, but they wouldn't make the cut for a roadtrip playlist. Hard to Handle has a popular chorus, but the rest of the song falls flat

Pretty good but all the tracks blend together

This was okay. Fairly standard and straightforward bluesy southern American rock. Most of the songs blending together by the end.

Sounds like a revival band.

Nice album. Soft 90s rock 6/10

Turns out I like this kind of blues rock.

I like these guys

Okay for what they do, but the album was fairly samey blues rock. It was a relief at time before the existence of streaming when all you could find on the radio was predominantly grunge and new jack swing, but with the passage of time and the existence of streaming service options this album seems a bit too similar samey over the whole album. Has the 2 hits and that's about it. If this album came had come out only a year later in 1991, during the 60 days that changed rock, it would have been completely forgettable. A serviceable album, but not a vital album that anyone needs to hear. Doesn't bring anything that other blues rockers before them weren't doing. Not even one of the best albums of the 1990s, much less of all time.

This scratches the blues rock itch that the 90’s is lacking, I think. Don’t think about it too much and this album is great. The mega singles are great and the rest is run of the mill blues rock but it’s all good. Cool that they could get this off the ground during the hair metal to grunge transition. Following the faces album, I have to knock this down to a 3.

Foot-stomping, pelvic-thrusting, 4-on-the-floor rock with ballads sprinkled in. A perfect mix of memorable lyrics and easy chord progressions makes a banger record! I don't think my mom listens to the Black Crowes, but I wouldn't be surprised if I saw her getting jiggy with it at a CCV party with a 10 piece band playing. Nothing insulting about the Black Crowes, just not my thing. Hard to Handle is obviously great. There were a couple of other songs that popped out a little bit, but I don't feel like making the three mouse clicks to figure out which ones they were. 3/5 i guess idk ^i wrote this review on the third song of the album. such a predictable album. I nailed it

Another stinker. The rockers are alright but bland. hard to handle is great, but this album really falls apart on the ballads. Wow so boring and really shows that this band hides behind crunchy guitars and arena rock drum loudness. If you told me that Train wrote the slower songs on here I’d believe it no questions asked. Flaccid 2/5

En 1990, le paysage musical était pour le moins... contrasté. Le glam metal, permanenté et fardé, vivait ses dernières heures de gloire commerciale, tandis que dans l'ombre, le grunge de Seattle commençait à affûter ses guitares sales et ses angoisses existentielles. C'est dans ce grand écart stylistique qu'a déferlé une tornade venue de Géorgie : The Black Crowes, avec leur premier album, "Shake Your Money Maker". À l'époque, ce fut une véritable bouffée d'air frais, un retour aux sources salvateur qui semblait presque anachronique. Mais trente ans après, l'écoute révèle une œuvre au double visage, aussi foudroyante par moments qu'étrangement figée à d'autres. Il est impossible de nier l'impact et la qualité fulgurante de certains titres qui ont porté cet album au sommet des charts. Le premier qui vient à l'esprit est bien évidemment leur reprise survoltée de "Hard to Handle" d'Otis Redding. C'est le morceau signature, celui qui a défini le groupe aux yeux du grand public. Et à juste titre. Le riff est d'une efficacité redoutable, la section rythmique chaloupe avec un groove irrésistible, et la voix de Chris Robinson, ce jeune loup éraillé et arrogant, explose de charisme. C'est un condensé de rock 'n' roll pur jus, une déclaration d'intention qui transpire l'énergie brute et la confiance. Dans la même veine, "Jealous Again" est un classique instantané. Dès les premiers accords, on est en terrain connu, un territoire balisé par les Rolling Stones de la période "Exile on Main St." Ce n'est pas une critique, mais un constat. Le morceau est un hommage si parfait, si bien exécuté, qu'il en devient une pièce maîtresse. La guitare slide, le piano bastringue, les chœurs soul... tout y est. Le troisième pilier de l'album, et peut-être le plus surprenant, est la ballade "She Talks to Angels". Ici, les Crowes lèvent le pied de l'accélérateur pour dévoiler une facette plus sensible, presque vulnérable. L'arpège de guitare acoustique est magnifique de simplicité et de mélancolie, et Chris Robinson y prouve qu'il n'est pas qu'un hurleur mais aussi un conteur capable d'insuffler une véritable émotion dans son chant. Ce morceau offre une respiration bienvenue et démontre une maturité d'écriture qui laissait présager le meilleur pour l'avenir. Voilà pour les sommets. Et c'est là que le bât blesse. Car si ces deux ou trois morceaux sont des réussites incontestables, le reste de "Shake Your Money Maker" peine à maintenir ce niveau d'excellence et souffre d'un défaut majeur : son caractère profondément dérivatif et, par extension, une certaine prévisibilité. Une fois l'effet de surprise passé, on réalise que l'album est moins une révolution qu'un formidable exercice de style, un pastiche amoureux du rock des années 70. Les influences sont si présentes qu'elles en deviennent parfois écrasantes. Les spectres des Faces, de Humble Pie, et bien sûr des Stones, planent sur chaque sillon. Des titres comme "Thick n' Thin" ou "Stare It Cold" sont certes énergiques, mais ils sonnent comme des faces B de leurs idoles. Ils possèdent le son, l'attitude, le "swagger", mais il leur manque l'étincelle, le refrain mémorable qui les ferait sortir du lot. On a l'impression d'entendre un groupe de musiciens exceptionnels – et ils le sont, sans aucun doute – qui jouent une partition déjà écrite. Le talent est là, la technique est irréprochable, mais l'âme propre du groupe semble encore en gestation. Des morceaux comme "Could I've Been So Blind" ou "Sister Luck" suivent une formule bien rodée : un riff bluesy, un couplet enlevé, un refrain puissant. C'est efficace sur le moment, mais peu de choses restent en mémoire une fois l'album terminé. On se retrouve avec une collection de chansons qui, prises individuellement, fonctionnent comme du bon rock 'n' roll, mais qui, assemblées, donnent une impression de redite, de pilotage automatique. Le son, si rafraîchissant en 1990, apparaît aujourd'hui comme une reconstitution quasi muséale. C'est un rock mis sous formol, parfaitement conservé, mais manquant de la folie et de la prise de risque qui caractérisaient ses modèles. On admire la performance, la virtuosité des frères Robinson, la solidité de la section rythmique, mais on cherche en vain la faille, l'aspérité, l'élément unique qui ferait de cet album plus qu'un simple hommage. En conclusion, "Shake Your Money Maker" mérite amplement sa place dans l'histoire du rock. Il a eu le mérite de remettre au goût du jour un son authentique et organique à une époque qui en manquait cruellement. Il a révélé un groupe au potentiel immense et nous a offert une poignée de chansons devenues des hymnes immortels. Pour ces raisons, il est impossible de le détester. Cependant, en tant qu'œuvre complète, il s'avère inégal. C'est un album porté par trois locomotives surpuissantes qui tirent derrière elles une série de wagons bien construits mais relativement anonymes. C'est l'album d'un groupe qui a trouvé le costume parfait avant de trouver sa propre peau. Facile à admirer pour ses éclairs de génie, mais plus difficile à aimer dans sa totalité. Un solide 3 sur 5 : un début prometteur, essentiel pour ses singles, mais qui laisse une légère sensation d'inachevé.

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

Мощный блюз-рок в духе старой школы

hey little thing, let me light your candle

Great

Love this one

Early 90s

A classic

It was a pleasant listen

Couple of bangers on this. They were very counter the time, though 1990 was a very odd year for music.

Easy listen but not for me. 2 stars

Got me through a 40-minute drive in a monsoon, so I feel positively towards it, but even then it's not great

I got a washed out rolling stones sound. Very boring

I was thinking it was a washed out Aerosmith in places. Mostly forgettable.

## 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.

baseline here is 2-3 stars. Not typically a big fan, and really only heard the hits. I actually really liked this! Lots of bangers, a lot of fun. Would gladly put on for Butt Rock Breakfast, or on a golf course. 3/5.

Twice As Hard is...ok Jealous Again...meh Sister Luck? Sister Suck Could I've Been So Blind is decent Seeing Things...zzzz Hard to Handle is the obvious moneymaker Thick N Thin has a solid groove She Talks to Angels is a standard teenage panty dropper Struttin' Blues kicks. Should've been an earlier track Stare It Cold exists

alright album that happens to have the worst album title ever. idk why i hate it so much but i do. it’s so bad.

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.

I suspect this record might have been a breath of fresh air in 1990, following the synthetics and excess of the 1980’s. I was only 9 at the time, so I don’t really recall - I was probably too busy watching The Simpsons or Parker Lewis Can’t Lose to pay attention. It’s throwback rock, it’s derivative and buttrock-y, but it’s also kind of ok, I guess. In closing… Ayelimmletheelemmelieyorkenneldowngauzemamaeyeshohaithehunnahnowyessirow!

2.5

...

Just generic rock.

It's okay, but I'll probably never listen to it again. Sounds like a mix of all rock bands I've ever listened to.

Generic rock, with some blues too. Twice as Hard sounds like an early harder Nickelback. Definitely sounds later than it is (1990). Could I've Been So Blind reminds me of Slade etc in places. Not that impressed overall, mix of Slade and Nickelback! Quite mediocre, except for the era it was recorded when glam, grunge were dominating rock scene Like a more polished version of KGLW Flight B741 Best track - doesnt matter at all, call it Struttin' Blues 2 stars

It's a fun blues rock album. To me they blend seamlessly with the Stones, Kim Mitchell, Hootie and others. They don't seem to bother with standing out of the crowd, which means they don't belong on this list. I was raised on rock n roll so I like this sound. I will never listen to this album again because there are tens of thousands of more interesting albums. Get it off the list. Two stars cause they do be swinging fr

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.

First time. Derivative. Hard to Handle sounded like plastic. The one about angels was the single and it was ok. Not terrible.

1990 but sounds right out of the late 60s/70s. Don’t get the fools saying this sounds overly southern? It’s just a good time, man. 3.5 Stars

Doesn't hold up as well as I thought it would when the album popped up for me this morning. The big hits feel tired and the album as a whole feels derivative and a bit boring. By no means terrible, it just doesn’t excite me at all.

Some good old fashioned rock

Pretty good. Way better than pink flag. I think I’d like it better after another listen but I’m not sure if I will. Favourite songs were ‘Stare it cold’ and ‘Sister luck’

i testi non sembrano essere particolarmente profondi,ma Chris Robinson li fa suonare bene,timbro e stile adatti al tipo di disco. Brani "carini",niente di impegnato o ricercato ma sicuramente ottimo per staccare un pochino...adatto solo in alcuni contesti(per me) Anche i pezzi più deboli risultano comunque gradevoli,per quanto nulla to die for.

It’s ok

Reminded me of listening to the guys next door drinking until they got into fights

Really enjoyed it, solid melodies and well crafted

It was akin to my tastes. Had to listen it twice

Listened to this album recently as part of my 2025 resolution to listen to at least one new album per week. One of my favorites! Previously listened to 3 songs off of this album (Hard To Handle; Twice As Hard; She Talks To Angels) Favorite Song: Hard to Handle

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.

Its aight

I wonder if this band was compared to Led Zeppelin as a pastiche?

Decent cover band?

It’s not revolutionary, it’s not bad, it’s not great but it’s good enough. -N.O

I really hated this when it came out. Music for people who want to buy new albums but don’t want to hear new music.

I played the shit out of this album 35 years ago. And even though their later works didn’t fare as well, this still holds up pretty solidly from start to finish.

First: I think the Stones had a major influence on this group. Second: they are a mix of Southern rock of the 8s and the alt rock sound that formed much of the 90s. Great energy and talent shown here. 4.5

Wow. It's been quite a while since I've listened to this album in its entirety. Still holds up well, particularly for a debut album. 4.5* rounding up.

Why would you embarrass yourself by releasing this soulless bluesy hard rock album in 1990, when grunge was very much a thing? Completely inauthentic and boring.

Weird inclusion considering this is a 1990 release and must’ve almost been dated by its release. That being said, I did actually enjoy it - it’s rather fun and there are some catchy tracks; when they are not too bluesy that is.

# 484 : Shake Your Money Maker : 20/05/2025 They've done a pretty decent job, it’s a good album, it’s enjoyable and fun overall, but drags out a bit. It's ok, but not 5 star material. Hard To Handle is the stand out track on this.

Helt kul catchy bluesrock, forglemmelig men bra.

It is hard for me to believe this was recorded in 1989 given the rest of the musical landscape at that time. Perhaps it was not so odd as it seems now, pre-grunge, at the tail end of everything that was 80's music. Obviously, rock-and-roll always persists and continues, and I can hear the influences from southern rock such as ZZ Top and Skynyrd, British rock such as The Rolling Stones, and so much of the blues (again, on the rock side). In any case, I've always liked this album, though I don't like much of the blues and have a complicated relationship with southern rock. I struggle between a 4.5 and 5, but on this scale, it's an easy 5.

A good album, good to hear Hot to Handle as it should be

Decent rock album.

Disgusting

Classic bluesy rock

The Black Crows seem like a long lineage of blue rocks that devolved over the decades. They’re solid musicians and the lead singer is Eddie Vedder adjacent and not unpleasant to listen to. Overall this music is uninspired and unoriginal. They sound like a bad mix of several great bands before them; Skynyrd, Zepplin, Stones, Queen, to name a few. There are albums on this list that are worse but are on the list for being innovative, creative, inspiring, and/or genre defining, but this doesn’t have any of that, or anything that would help shape the understanding of music history. It didn’t shape the way 90s rock would sound, it was shaped by the prior 3 decades. It didn’t inspire the likes of Nirvana, Green Day, The Strokes, TV on the Radio, or any rock band after it, it sounds like a dozen before it. It doesn’t stand out in a crowd, it blends in. I didn’t hate it, but it wasn’t anything special and doesn’t belong on a list of 2001 albums you need to hear. If you ever saw a good cover band at a popular bar venue, you’ve heard The Black Crows. 4.8/10 #52/1001

This album kicks so much ass. I was absolutely delighted to see it pop up for me today. %100 classic!

- kurzweilig und in Ordnung, aber diese Stimmenlage hört man einfach in zu vielen Rock / Metal Geschichten und ich bin kein Fan davon 1-2/5

Forgettable, really don’t remember it. Think it was okay.

Nothing original in terms of their sound - straight up blues/soul influenced rock - but they do it well and I don't doubt that 1990 needed it.

One of the best! No bad tracks!

Is there a word for a cover band that plays originals?

This Isn't Spinal Tap. Nor is it Otis Redding. There are some great moments, but I'm instantly hungry again.

I like Hard to Handle...but I don't go out of my way to listen to it, and the rest is kind of forgettable generic "American" rock. I don't see how it's influential at all since they didn't invent anything and are clearly the ones influenced by others.

Utterly inoffensive and completely unnecessary

You'd think that by 1990 white blues rock musicians would have figured out how to do something new instead of sounding like malformed led zeppelin homunculi

2/5

Not offensive but pretty bland

A couple standout tracks but overall just a 3.

Huh. A little better than I expected. This band never caught my attention, so I thought it would be a low 3. Instead, it's a solid 3.

one of the better rock albums of 1966

I love the underexposed album cover and a few songs but not all fav: sister luck

I'm sure it was revolutionary when it came out but right now it sounds like a generic hard rock album.

drepleiðinlegt drasl.

Hrikalega lélegt og leiðinlegt.

Debut album. Twice As Hard is a nice intro to the album. Followed by Jealous again which is also good. Hard To Handle is an Otis Redding B side cover and the best track on the album. Overall the album has a good start with the first two tracks. Then goes a little generic until Hard To Handle which is a great track but then the album falls back a little again to the end. Rolling Stones vibes throughout. Solid album.

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.

Classic 90’s rock. I’m sure it was influential, but I’m just not a big fan of 90’s rock mostly.

Das Debütalbum der US-amerikanischen Band The Black Crowes wurde 1989 in den Soundscape Studios in Atlanta, Georgia, aufgenommen. Die Gruppe stammt ebenfalls aus Atlanta und orientierte sich auf diesem Werk stark an klassischen Rock- und Blues-Einflüssen. Stilistisch bewegt sich das Album im Bereich des Southern Rock mit deutlichen Anklängen an Bluesrock und Hard Rock. Bekannte Titel sind unter anderem „She Talks to Angels“, eine akustisch gehaltene Ballade mit introspektivem Text, sowie „Hard to Handle“, eine Coverversion des gleichnamigen Songs von Otis Redding, die sich durch einen raueren Rocksound auszeichnet. Auch „Jealous Again“ zählt zu den Stücken, die bis heute mit dem musikalischen Profil der Band verknüpft sind. Das Album zeigt eine junge Band, die sich hörbar auf das amerikanische Rockerbe beruft und dabei Wert auf eingängige Riffs, klare Songstrukturen und eine energiegeladene Darbietung legt. Es markiert einen gelungenen Einstieg in die Diskografie der Band.

9.5/10

Enjoyed this, very '90s.

Not too bad.

Solid; derivative; samey; uncomplicated; earnest. Maybe it was a revolutionary act releasing this in 1990, with everything else that was going on musically around then, or maybe it was just a bit retrograde.

Oh boy

I own a copy of this album, but I haven't listened to it in a hot minute. When I remember liking this album quite a bit when I used to listen to it regularly, but reading the reviews for it made me feel like this album might have soured on me over time. However, looking at the track listing makes me really excited to fire this up. Will The Black Crowes become another personal Red Hot Chili Peppers, devolving into a gimmicky sound that was better appreciated by my younger years? There's only one way to find out! For me, this album holds up incredibly well. It's exactly what I want in a blues rock album: excellent piano and organ melodies, distinct vocals, and great rhythm and lead guitar parts. The album sounds great as a whole, and it's brilliantly paced, with slower ballads and upbeat jams. This album knows how to rock really well from start to finish. When I was looking at the track listing for this album, I'd completely forgotten about "Jealous Again." I love that whole song, but the bridge is an straight up killer. The guitar riff, and that vocal part of "don't you think I want to, don't you think I would?" is just perfect. The drums coming out of that bridge into the last chorus are perfect too. Damn, what an amazing song. "Twice As Hard" is fantastic too. That guitar intro is just perfect, and the drums give it an excellent punch. I really love "She Talks To Angels" too; the guitar playing on the intro is fantastic, the songwriting is great, and the organ that kicks in with the drums gives it the perfect southern rock sound. "Hard to Handle" is probably my least favorite of the singles off of this album, but it's still a really fun jam. I really don't think there's a bad song on this album, and in rock scene that was brimming over with grunge, it stands out quite well. Even thirty five years later (holy shit), Shake Your Money Maker is a fantastic southern blues rock record.

Ok'ish rock

Excellent debut album

6/10

I haven’t listened to enough black crowes.

Just didn’t enjoy this

Pretty damn good rock album!

Not particularly bad, but not something i would return to

Enjoyed it, classic catchy guitar riffs. Thick N' Thin was my fave!

Was a great album for teenage me

Just alright. One good song does not a great album make.

I’d get into a song and then I’d be a bit silly. I liked this though.

were people really clamoring for this sound in 1990? 1990 was a bit of a liminal space in comparison to the decade that followed; the sound of "the nineties" was yet to be solidified, so a beguiling array of genres were competing for dominance, many of them holdovers from the eighties. the Black Crowes, meanwhile, are a holdover from... the seventies? yes, they formed in 1984 in Atlanta, and they play a pretty authentic southern blues rock sound. by the time the band finally released this, their debut studio album, they were six years in, and their musical path had been pretty well-trodden by bands as far back as the sixties. it makes it hard for me to get all that excited about the material on offer since, while the Black Crowes are a capable performing unit, they hardly bring anything new to the southern hard rock formula other than, perhaps, a slight bit of alternative flair on their ballads. they sound like a very talented bar band. Chris Robinson's vocals are as ugly as sin. strong 3/10.

6/10… southern rock / blues rock

Oh shit this is from the 90s? Well I like it less. It's bland and generic 70s stuff, done in 1990, which is even worse.

This is fine but only the Otis cover is truly great (and it’s really, really great)

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

4/10

It’s a perfectly fine tribute to the blues and southern rock of the 70’s. One that I’m sure I would like a lot more if I had grown up with it and had the nostalgia factor (See The Black Keys review to come later for this to pay off). Favorites were Twice As Hard, Seeing Things, Hard To Handle, and She Talks To Angels.

Fun sunny day driving album. Gave me an AC/DC but 90's vibe that I enjoyed, classic rock influence throughout and was great and I think I kind of got an idea of what it would have been like to be my dad in 1990. Good production and musicianship, though wanted more creativity and variation in the songwriting. Fav track: Hard to Handle

I listened in the car in the channel tunnel whilst trying to have some sleep. No song woke me up, and it all trundled into each other. A bland mid rock album of middling songs.

Boring and unoriginal. I’ve always found “hard to handle” extremely annoying. The more I listened the less tolerable I found this hence the 1

Like being in a dive bar that’s trying too hard.

Too samey and sounds very dated in 2025

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.

3.5

A pretty average and not that distinctive debut. Nothing to ‘crowe’ about. Just sounds like all sorts of classic rock from the early 70s but lesser, blander versions of it. Best songs probably Struttin’ Blues or the one in the middle that sounds like Joe Cocker’s With A Little Help From My Friends. Worst song the Hard To Handle cover. Lots of mildly raucous guitar playing and riffs throughout that range from good to pretty good. Vocals super ordinary. Fine enough effort overall but the band should change the animals on their logo because when it comes to their music… it’s too boring for crows.

This might be THE quintessential 3 star album. Nothing about it is bad. But nothing stands out either. It’s a consistent samey through line. There isn’t a highlight. There isn’t an embarrassing ditch. It’s truly the most average album I’ve heard on here

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.

Rock n rolll but not my cup of tea. I know the main single well, pub classic but otherwise won’t re listen

++: Stare It Cold +: Jealous Again, Sister Luck, Could I've Been So Blind, She Talks to Angels, Struttin' Blues, Live Too Fast Blues/Mercy, Sweet Moan +-: Twice As Hard, Seeing Things, Hard to Handle, Thick n' Thin 4,9/10