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From the Vault...
07/04/2004
#897 |
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info
Black Crowes
"Lions"
© V2 Records
Year of Release: 2001
Rating:
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track listing
Midnight From
The Inside Out
Lickin'
Come On
No Use Lying
Losing My Mind
Ozone Mama
Greasy Grass River
Soul Singing
Miracle To Me
Young Man Old Man
Cosmic Friend
Cypress Tree
Lay It All On Me
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Black Crowes
"Lions"
The Black Crowes' debut release, Shake Your Moneymaker was a great
flashback to the rock of the 1970s, comparing to such acts as the early Rod
Stewart and Faces. It seems after their second album (The Southern Harmony
And Musical Companion), their music has faded or not discussed as highly as
when their first two albums were released. The year 2001 brought their ninth
album of their career, Lions, and as it is much different compared to the
first two albums, it's the common Alternative Rock sound of the 1990s, where
it just sounds like "the rest of them."
The opening track, "Midnight From The Inside Out" has a beginning
psychedelic approach, yet it's bluesy hard rock style is just a bit darker
than the basics heard on their debut release. "Lickin'" definitely is
different, having a harder rock edge, yet with catchy main verses.
"Come On" just may be a comparison to the early Black Crowes, yet
it's not as energetic as the first release, but it is definitely the Black
Crowes in a more harder rock style. Another different approach is "No Use
Lying", as it is compared to Soundgarden and the common sound of today's
popular Alternative Rock bands. The mellow "Losing My Mind" is a
well-written and musically gifted song, almost as good as "She Talks To
Angels" from their debut. "Ozone Mama" has a great soulful approach,
compared to the early solo Rod Stewart.
The harder rock approach (not commonly used to) is heard on "Greasy
Grass River," "Soul Singing" is a bit bland, yet when it kicks in, it has
the common sound of the Black Crowes from their first two releases. Much better
than "Losing My Mind," the very mellow accoustic "Miracle To Me"
is definitely a great Black Crowes song, and just as good as "She Talks To
Angels." "Young Man Old Man" is quite interesting -- it has a
soulful sound, compared to the early 1970s, and another standout track.
"Cosmic Friend" loses interest, and boring. "Cypress Tree"
brings back the common Black Crowes sound again, and "Lay It All On Me"
has potential, being a mellow ballad.
Lions has its moments, but it does not live up to the "roaring lions"
as its album title states. The mellow ballads are mostly the standouts on this
release. After listening to Lions, their first two albums will be
taken from the shelves to listen to again. The songs on Lions are easily
recognized as the Black Crowes', but they just didn't have enough excitement as
their earlier albums.
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