Reviews

The Black Crowes: Happiness Bastards Review

The long-awaited return of The Black Crowes to the studio realm, Happiness Bastards, marks a significant moment in the band’s career. After a friction-drenched hiatus of 15 years since their last original release, the Robinson Brothers deliver their 10th studio album, reaffirming their status as one of the leading acts in modern rock.

Backed by bassist Sven Pipien and the production skills of Jay Joyce, and a number of session musicians, Rich (guitar) and Chris (vocals) deliver a set of 10 songs rooted in their classic sound with a slight touch of contemporary elements, resulting in an album that is both fresh and familiar.

From the onset, Happiness Bastards exudes an infectious energy. Opener “Bedside Manners”, a boogie-infused, Rolling Stones-styled rocker reminiscent of the band’s best works, delivers a dose of unfiltered rock and roll grit. Rich’s slide guitar assaults with vigor and Chris’ vocals elevate the mood, setting the tone for what is to come next.

A spirited uptempo rocker featuring more of Rich’s characteristic jagged riffage, “Rats and Clowns” follows suit, while “Cross Your Fingers” starts acoustically before transitioning into a riff-driven mid-tempo track whose rap-like vocals add a nice contemporary edge to the proceedings.

“Wanting And Waiting” is another forceful rocker, with its organ groundwork providing the foundation for inspired riffs and a highly accessible, pop-tinged chorus.

“Wilted Rose”, a duet with Layney Wilson, cools things off with its acoustic, country-like aesthetics and gradually builds into a thrilling outing featuring an emotional guitar solo and a memorable final section, while “Bleed It Dry” is as straightforward and enjoyable as a pure blues number can be.

The Led Zeppelin-inspired, heavyweight rocker “Full Moon” and the gorgeous harmonica-infused, string-enriched ballad “Kindred Friends” round out the record in a strong, memorable fashion.

Fittingly highlighting Rich’s dirty riffs and Chris’ unfiltered vocals, the album’s production is competent, striking a balance between clarity and a certain rawness that lends an even more organic nature to the band’s no-nonsense, honest sonic landscape.

In conclusion, while it does not quite capture the same magic of the band’s initial records, Happiness Bastards is a strong album and a welcome addition to the Black Crowes’ discography, with its gritty, bare-bones blend of rock and roll and blues being sure to please longtime fans and newcomers alike.

The Review: 8/10

Can’t Miss Tracks

– Bedside Manners
– Rats And Clowns
– Wanting And Waiting
– Wilted Rose

The Big Hit

– Wanting And Waiting

Fidel Beserra

Fidel Beserra is a professional translator and an occasional writer. As one would expect, he's also an enthusiastic lover of everything music-related.

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