Before the Frost...Until the Freeze
The Black Crowes
Before the Frost...Until the Freeze
Grade: A
Since the Black Crowes returned in 2005 with a strong and successful tour, fans have questioned how the band would carry on after keyboardist Eddie Harsch and lead guitarist Marc Ford exited the band shortly after the tour ended. 2008’s Warpaint, the band’s first effort post-Ford and Harsch was decent, but it ran out of steam after a few listens. Hernando guitarist Luther Dickinson and keyboardist Adam MacDougall did not seem to mesh well with the band’s sound.
Their latest album, Before the Frost, doesn’t even sound like the same lineup. Yet after constant touring, it seems the two new members have discovered their niche with the brothers Robinson and drummer Steve Gorman. From the first notes of the opener “Good Morning Captain” to the last acoustic lick on the brooding “Last Place That Love Lives,” there’s never really a point that isn’t satisfying. Although nothing here is as hard-rocking as 1992’s The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion or as cosmically experimental as 1994’s Amorica, the songs on Before the Frost are every bit as good. Song after song on the new record burst with a newfound energy. Great riffs and fantastic, imagery-filled lyrics from Chris Robinson lift Before the Frost to heights the band hasn’t reached in years. This is the album they have had in them since their reunion. It was recorded earlier in the year in Levon Helm’s barn in New York before a live studio audience, which lends a unique feel and looseness to the album.
The songs flow together seamlessly into a slab of mellow, low-key rock and roll. The strong points of the album are subtle, but they begin to shine after a few listens. The slow-chugging boogie of “A Train Still Makes a Lonely Sound” will remind listeners why the Black Crowes remain one of the greatest Southern rock bands, while the great song-writing of “Appaloosa” and “Houston Don’t Dream About Me” find the Crowes artistically channeling the rhythm of The Band’s slow grooves, which was probably assisted greatly by the atmosphere of the recording. Levon’s barn is just around the corner from the Big Pink House of lore.
Inside Before the Frost is a code for the download of the Crowes’ second new album, Until the Freeze. This album is shocking after hearing Before the Frost. It is mostly a country and bluegrass effort, and after the shock wears thin, it sounds completely natural. “Garden Gate” could fit in easily with old Grand Ole Opry tapes from the early 1950’s, but the way the band plays it from the heart reveals everything that is wrong with modern music of the genre. “Shady Grove” and “Shine Along” both feature exceptional vocals from Chris Robinson, while "Roll Old Jeremiah" shows how much Adam MacDougall has grown as a piano player in the band. Multi-instrumentalist Larry Campbell joins the Crowes for Until the Freeze, adding fiddle and banjo flourishes throughout.
Overall, these two albums together are more than just a solid effort. The Crowes are one of the last true rock and roll band's left in the world, but they are not afraid to take risks to discover new ways in presenting material. These are the sounds of a Southern band exploring the roots of American culture in song, and these two new albums reveal their bountiful discoveries. A.
Comments
Dear Mr. Robertson,
I wanted to point out a mistake in your review which you said " Hernando guitarist Luther Dickinson". Luther played in the "North Mississippi Allstars" which released an album called "Hernando". Your review of "Before the Frost..." was excellent and right on but I disagree with what you said about "Warpaint"....for me it was the opposite experience....with more listens the album grew on me more and more and never lost steam.
Yes, the North Mississippi All Stars did record an album called Hernando, but what I'm referring to in this article is the hometown of the Dickinson family in Mississippi, so no, it is not a mistake. That is why the band's album was titled Hernando. I'm glad you like Warpaint. There are some good songs on there, but compared to the rest of the output of the Black Crowes, it is a weaker album in my opinion.
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!