The Bottom Line: Lookin' for old fashioned rock and roll? Sick of boy bands and wanna be rockers? Check this out. You couldn't possibly be disappointed.
lambchops's Full Review: Shake Your Money Maker by The Black Crowes
The Black Crowes are a classic rock band. They fall neatly into the category despite the obvious fact that their debut was 1990's "Shake Your Moneymaker." Lead singer Chris Robinson blends the swagger and adrenaline of Mick Jagger and Steven Tyler to produce and almost psychadelic version of Southern Rock. The band has released five subsequent albums: "The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion," "Amorica," "Three Snakes and One Charm," "By Your Side," and this year's "Lions."
There is no question that The Black Crowes are an amazing band of rockers. The Atlanta, Georgia based band is comprised of Chris Robinson (Lead Vocals), Rich Robinson (Guitar), Jeff Cease (Guitar), Johnny Colt (Bass Guitar), and Steve Gorman (Drums). This is a band that I respect for sticking to their guns and really making the music that they want...not what record companies want. They haven't "sold out" like other rock bands (cough-Metallica-cough). It is my sincere hope that The Black Crowes can and will continue to make the psychadelia-induced Southern Rock in which they are best known for.
The words that follow are my interpretations of the songs, sounds, and music that is contained on "Shake Your Moneymaker." Whether or not you realize it, this is an album you know. You know the songs, the swagger, and the attitude. It is my hope that if you have forgotten somehow to buy this album that my review will jog your memory. After reading this review, it is your duty as rock and roll fans to buy this CD.
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1. TWICE AS HARD
Guitars and drums do make for a great song if handled properly. The infusion of the piano here make for a great old fashioned rock song. These are the kinds of tunes that have been almost totally absent from the musical landscape of the past decade. Fortuantely The Black Crowes are there to save us from totally throwing music away. Chris Robinson's voice shines through the driving tune. The song is fast and fun and fortunately not too dense or complicated. The song is somehow both new and old rock. Here's an exerpt from "Twice as Hard." Actually it's the chorus.
Twice as Hard
As it was the first time
I said goodbye
2. JEALOUS AGAIN
What a great song! There's rock and for that matter blues here. In fact, the melody is almost exclusively that of blues. This song is a fast one, driven by drums and a piano. The guitar is much less a lead instrument here...rather it's a backer to Chris' vocals. This tune is sparse, yet exceptionally catchy and fun. This again is the kind of music that has been completely forgotten by radio and MTV. Well, that is forgotten except for The Black Crowes. I love, repeat LOVE the following part of this song:
Don't you think I want to
Don't you think I would
Don't you think I'd tell you baby
If I only could
Am I acting crazy
Am I just too proud
Am I just plain lazy
Am I, Am I, Am I, ever
3. SISTER LUCK
Never released as a single, this is a good song anyway! It's much slower and much more delicate than the previous two tracks. It begins with a dual guitar-picking solo and then in infused with the drums and other instruments. It's actually a refreshing tune...with a song like this you realize that The Black Crowes have more to offer than rock party songs. Definitely a must-listen, even in comparison to some of the more popular tunes. The piano here is great, as is Chris Robinson's voice. I also have to note that it sounds very much like something Lenny Kravitz would later record. Here's a sample:
A flip of a coin
Might make a head turn
No surprise, who sleeps
Held my hand over a candle
Flame burnin' but I never weep
4. COULD I'VE BEEN SO BLIND
Yet another good song...I hate to sound like a broken record here, but The Black Crowes again shine on a song that was never released. It's not one of my favorites, but definitely listenable. The song starts out midtempo, but quickly changes to an almost frenzied pace. Chris Robinson's voice is the driving force here. Don't miss this one. It's not the best of the album, but it's still good.
5. SEEING THINGS
Another unreleased Black Crowes song here. This one also has some odd influences. There's blues infused with a rock groove featured here. It's soft with little "noise" as characteristic of rock music. To be quite honest, there are organs in addition to other strange instruments here. This song (like some of the others) proves that the boys from Georgia aren't boring guys. They have something a bit more to say. In fact, so does the band's backup singers...yup you heard me right. The Black Crowes have backup singers.
A hundred years will never ease
Hearing things I won't believe
I saw it with my own two eyes
All the pain that I can't hide
6. HARD TO HANDLE
The Black Crowes put a very different spin on this Otis Redding tune. In fact, this is the song that put The Black Crowes on the map and led them to their subsequent success. This is a VERY fun song. There are pianos, guitars, bass guitars, drums, and a very prominent Chris Robinson voice here. Energy, somewhat dense instrumentation, somewhat complicated sounds, and fun characterize this song. You've heard it before...Robinson swaggers through it with attitude and his rock voice. Great song. DON'T MISS OUT ON IT! Buy this album if only for this tune (although, I must note that there are others of equal merit if not more).
7. THICK N' THIN
This begins with a crash and then dissolves into a country/blues/rock infused song. It's fun, interesting, and worth a listen. There are lots of drums and guitars here. It doesn't have quite the interesting depth and sound of some of the other tunes. I don't think that there was quite as much to work with here. Anyway, Chris Robinson handles himself with the respect of a rock king. To be quite honest you'd never expect a band that sounds like this to only just be gaining recognition. All songs (except as noted) were written by the Robinson brothers.
Got a chainsaw buzzin'
Who's that cussin'
Eyes start blinkin'
The boys all start their wishing
8. SHE TALKS TO ANGELS
This is yet another radio-ready hit that seems almost odd in comparison to the other songs. It's good, don't get me wrong, but it seems like the song really should belong to a hair band rather than the rockin' Black Crowes. Of course, their music has a bit of blues with it, so they make it sound good. The song is slow, relatively sparse, and Chris Robinson interprets the song calmly with some reservation. There are only hints at the energy that the band is capable of as demonstrated by other songs.
She keeps a lock of hair in her pocket
She wears a cross around her neck
Yes the hair is from a little boy
And the cross from someone she has not met
Not yet
9. STRUTTIN' BLUES
This is fun, fast and should have found itself on radio stations everywhere. The tune really could have been popular even today. The Black Crowes showcase their energy here. Robinson's vocals really are only part of a whole on this song. The guitars and drums here are dense and fun. It's not quite up to par with some of the others on this album...despite this, it's still a Southern Rock tune that many bands would be very proud of...
10. STARE IT COLD
The last song on the album, this is a good one that sounds somewhat like "Jealous Again" with the addition of tamborines. That aside, it is a good song. I suspect that some of the reason it was never released was because of the similarity between the two songs...if it had been, The Black Crowes, would have found themselves somewhat pigeon-holed. Definitely a good song, "Stare It Cold" is an appropriate song to wrap up the album on a good note. A must-listen. Here's the first verse...
Under the weather
I never got better
Wrapped up in my disease
Mile away, she want to count my day
Look a little older in the light
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"Shake Your Moneymaker" did sell three million copies riding high on the success of a few songs as detailed above. Their talent and musicianship should be rewarded again, but only time will tell. There were some hidden and lesser known gems on this album. The real finds were "Jealous Again," "Twice as Hard," and some others.
If you don't know The Black Crowes but enjoy classic rock, check it out. You won't be disappointed. My hope is that this kind of roots rock will continue to be popular despite downturns in the rock market like the one now. I would give the band a 4.5/5...I can't, so here's a 5.
Recommended:
Yes
Great Music to Play While: Getting ready to go out
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