Some Thoughts on the Robinson Brothers

I've been filling in the gaps in my Black Crowes collection lately. They are, in my opinion, one of the most underrated bands making music today. My conclusion is supported by the fact that, while the Crowes fail to chart consistently (though they do chart), you can hear them on just about any rock radio station you turn to. Classic rock? They're there. Hard rock and metal? There too. Easy listening? Alternative? Yep. I don't listen much to country, but I wouldn't be surprised to hear them there.

So what accounts for the fact that while they aren't what one would consider an A-List band, they're so pervasive? I think it's their versatility. They aren't my favorite band in the world (I'd say in the top 5), but they would be my desert-island band, simply for the fact that they are the one band that it would take me a while to get sick of listening to.

Their songs cover a broad spectrum of musical styles. Sometimes you can hear a Stones influence, sometimes an Allman Brothers. There's a blues infusion, a touch of country, sometimes a latin or bluegrass undercurrent. They strike me as sort of the non-grunge equivalent of Pearl Jam. They are less cerebral than Vedder & crew, and more visceral. While I listen to Pearl Jam to make me think, I listen to the Crowes to make me feel. Some of my favorite tracks are Go Faster, Stop Kickin' My Heart Around, Nebakanezer, Black Moon Creeping, Thick N' Thin, and Locust Street.

The Crowes are also good to listen to contextually--that is, to listen to a large portion (or even all) of their catalog at once, to see how the songs compare and contrast, how their music evolves. How does the experimental sound of Amorica stand up against the more polished By Your Side? Is Chris Robinson at his best when his vocals are more improvisational, or more practiced?

I would recommend listening to the Crowes intentionally, not just when they come on whatever radio station you're listening to (and they will), and moving them out of "oh yeah, those guys" status. You're missing a lot of good music if you don't.