Georgia rock band the Black Crowes have returned. Brothers Chris and Rich Robinson have announced Happiness Bastards, their 10th studio album first LP of original material in 15 years. The record is out March 15 via the band’s own Silver Arrow Records. Today, the Black Crowes have shared lead single “Wanting and Waiting,” as well as the 10-song tracklist for Happiness Bastards. Check those out below.
“Happiness Bastards is our love letter to rock’n’roll,” Black Crowes frontman Chris Robinson said in press materials. “Rich and I are always writing and creating music; that has never stopped for us, and it is always where we find harmony together. This record represents that.”
Rich Robinson added: “This album is a continuation of our story as a band. Our years of experience writing and making music and touring the world are represented in this record, and we were brilliantly guided by one of the best producers in the business, Jay Joyce. I am incredibly proud of what we put together.”
Happiness Bastards was produced by Jay Joyce, and features vocals from country singer Lainey Wilson on “Wilted Rose.” The Black Crowes cut the album in early 2023 with Joyce and longtime bassist Sven Pipien.
Whyyyyyy are so many rock bands using this soft (likely sampled) snare sound lately!?
Not a bad song. It sounds like The Black Crowes probably should sound in their 50s. With a shit snare sound. And that shit snare sound is going to sound exactly the same for the entire album. There’s no crack/attack to it and that ruins it for me.
Speaking of Jealous Again, what brings it to life is the cracking snare in the beginning!
SterileEyes1 wrote: ↑Fri Jan 12, 2024 10:09 am
Whyyyyyy are so many rock bands using this soft (likely sampled) snare sound lately!?
Not a bad song. It sounds like The Black Crowes probably should sound in their 50s. With a shit snare sound. And that shit snare sound is going to sound exactly the same for the entire album. There’s no crack/attack to it and that ruins it for me.
Speaking of Jealous Again, what brings it to life is the cracking snare in the beginning!
Not having Steve Gorman behind the kit probably has a lot to do with it. Dude was a monster drummer. The touring guy they had - Brian Griffin from Richard Marx’s band - is supposedly who was used on the albums tracks.
SterileEyes1 wrote: ↑Fri Jan 12, 2024 10:09 am
Whyyyyyy are so many rock bands using this soft (likely sampled) snare sound lately!?
Not a bad song. It sounds like The Black Crowes probably should sound in their 50s. With a shit snare sound. And that shit snare sound is going to sound exactly the same for the entire album. There’s no crack/attack to it and that ruins it for me.
Speaking of Jealous Again, what brings it to life is the cracking snare in the beginning!
The Nashville sounding snare that has taken over country singles the past 3-4 years. Will definitely sell dated in a decade or so.
Whatever Happened To… wrote: ↑Sat Jan 13, 2024 2:58 am
Vocals sound a lot like Paul Stanley!
Perfectly in pitch?
"bus problems come on man so boring we have our bus its awesome and we r watching judge judy on it right now tour is going great 14 more shows to go see you out there rockin peeps not you garbageman you stay home" - HueyRamone, 7/3/12
SterileEyes1 wrote: ↑Fri Jan 12, 2024 10:09 am
Whyyyyyy are so many rock bands using this soft (likely sampled) snare sound lately!?
Not a bad song. It sounds like The Black Crowes probably should sound in their 50s. With a shit snare sound. And that shit snare sound is going to sound exactly the same for the entire album. There’s no crack/attack to it and that ruins it for me.
Speaking of Jealous Again, what brings it to life is the cracking snare in the beginning!
The Nashville sounding snare that has taken over country singles the past 3-4 years. Will definitely sell dated in a decade or so.
This makes sense, I believe they’ve been based out of Nashville since the brothers made up? And, yeah, exactly, it’s gonna sound dated as fuck down the line.
Not horrible but just a run of the mill Black Crowes song, Gorman is sorely missed. I guess I'd rather have this than nothing from the Brothers Robinson but their best days are obviously behind them. I wonder what kind of money is keeping them together at this point.
Charles Bukaki wrote: ↑Sat Jan 13, 2024 9:54 am
Not horrible but just a run of the mill Black Crowes song, Gorman is sorely missed. I guess I'd rather have this than nothing from the Brothers Robinson but their best days are obviously behind them. I wonder what kind of money is keeping them together at this point.
Marc Ford too, but both stints he had in the band he had fell off the wagon and couldn’t stay sober.
Hell'sHungryChild wrote:
I have no desire to pay $150 to see an ant sized Ac/Dc and drink $12 beer cups.
I like the main riff, but after the recycled Jealous Again verse melody, the song doesn't go anywhere. And IMO, the song almost sounds like the was awkwardly pieced together in the studio, it doesn't have a natural flow.
Not having Steve Gorman behind the kit probably has a lot to do with it. Dude was a monster drummer. The touring guy they had - Brian Griffin from Richard Marx’s band - is supposedly who was used on the albums tracks.
Steve Gorman was great in that band.
His book, Hard To Handle, about his time in the band is an interesting read.
The opening riff makes me happy, like in a "new Black Crowes song/riff" kinda way, but then it goes nowhere. Had the same tingly feeling the first time I hear the opening riff for Angry from the Stones, however, it then went somewhere, and then even went somewhere again. Hoping for more.
"bus problems come on man so boring we have our bus its awesome and we r watching judge judy on it right now tour is going great 14 more shows to go see you out there rockin peeps not you garbageman you stay home" - HueyRamone, 7/3/12
DemonFilth2001 wrote: ↑Tue Jan 16, 2024 7:48 pm
Crazy how much love this band gets. 2 big albums. 1 did ok.
Are they more of a live/jam band? Or just a big cult following? Similar to Widespread Panic?
Not a jam band anymore. They are now a LiveNation branded, dare I say, corporate rock band. No experimentation and the songs are familiar and played straight off the record. I’m not saying that like it’s a bad thing, I don’t need to hear a 20 min Thorn In My Pride or My Morning Song anymore.
Band has changed members almost more the past 4 years of touring than they have since their inception. No clue who’s actually played on the new record.
DemonFilth2001 wrote: ↑Tue Jan 16, 2024 7:48 pm
They are now a LiveNation branded, dare I say, corporate rock band.
Sponsored by Miller beer.
"bus problems come on man so boring we have our bus its awesome and we r watching judge judy on it right now tour is going great 14 more shows to go see you out there rockin peeps not you garbageman you stay home" - HueyRamone, 7/3/12
https://youtu.be/G31MZzqH4ZA
