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Album Review : The Black Crowes – Happiness Bastards

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Review by Ritchie Birnie for MPM

who would have thought it? The brothers Robinson buried the hatchet and not only went on tour but in Happiness Bastards they have produced the first new music in 15 years and it is deeply embedded in the 90s, the decade where The Black Crowes owned the world.

No matter the strife between these two talented brothers the music was never the issue and Happiness Bastards shows just what a force these two guys are. The boys wanted to make a good old Saturday night Rock’n’Roll album and they did…with that classic Crowes swagger and groove.

The album opens with a blues slide slippery bitch that is “Bedside Manner”. It is an up tempo blast from the past that makes you want to grab your maracas, tambourine and a bottle of Whisky. The party has begun and with the stunning keyboard work this takes me back to so many memorable Crowes gigs. The boys are back.

The Crowes always threw some curve balls and “Rats and Clowns” is one of those tracks. A quirky riff with Chris spitting out the vocals and letting the new bands that they helped give birth to that Daddy is home and we have a whole new box of tricks so pay attention.

Rich on acoustic opens “Cross Your Fingers” and you know that that alone is going to set a track apart and this was instantly one of my favourite numbers. Rich stays on his own guitar journey as Chris takes us on a deviated path flickering between blues, soul and funk.

“Wanting and Waiting” was the track that got us all talking, new music and a real dive into their past. This would slot into either of the first two albums without missing a beat. The riff, the keys, the harmonies and the backing singers, the tried and tested Black Crowes gospel and I am in the front pew in the congregation.

The acoustic is out again on “Wilted Rose” and this beautiful, slow burning number is there to grab you by the heartstrings. The addition of Lainey Wilson bring this to the peak of perfection. This is the type of Crowes track you get immersed in, you lose track of time and played on vinyl at full throttle is just sublime.

The grit comes out on “Dirty Cold Sun”. This is an angry Rolling Stones feel with Chris going 12 rounds with Jagger. He is on the pulpit like a holy man on a mission. He is looking down at the sinners and they are getting a real preach on.

If things were not top drawer enough “Bleed it Dry” opens with some mouthy and I am sold. This is a funked up blues number with a ton of attitude and balls so big they ain’t staying in your pants. This is the Saturday night where the drink kicks in and anything goes. Anybody and everybody becomes a musician and the jam comes on and the result is sheer perfection.

The album is flying along and “Flesh Wound” picks off with a real celtic, feel. If we go back to the Saturday night analogy this is the bit when everyone tells you they are Irish and a fight breaks out. You can imagine the bottles smashing in the background like a scene from the original Roadhouse movie and just like that movie the slide guitar is out. It may not be Stevie but it sure focuses his energy. I also loved the breakdown which felt like the fight had calmed down and somehow they all started singing Christmas songs.

“Follow the Moon” is a groove fest. The swagger comes in the door with Chris but the moves are provided by Rich. This is the two brothers in pure musical union the way only the Robinsons can. This song is so good you know that it came together with ease, it rolls, it slides and it fucking rocks.

Final track “Kindred Friend” is the Crowes does The Beatles. The 60/70s number is not of this century. It harks back to love, peace and free love. It could have slotted into the Forrest Gump soundtrack it is so phased out. The boys are signing off on a chilled out carpet ride home. The party has come to an end and reality is knocking at the door…don’t let it in.

Happiness Bastards is old school, The artwork was Chris’s wife painting over the old album artwork, the album kicks in at just over 30 minutes and it is packed with songs that will have you grooving,singing and crying on your best mates shoulder.

The Black Crowes were a huge part of the 90s for me. I was there at the start and I saw them in venues both small and large. I saw good gigs, I saw bad gigs. I witnessed some serious lows but the highs were so far above any band at the time you kept going back. You had no idea what you were going to witness, you just knew you had to be there as you did not want to miss a thing and this new, mature Crowes fills my heart with so much pleasure it is fit to burst.

I have not caught the boys live since they reformed as they cancelled the show in Glasgow and we have not had a replacement yet but I have waited many years for another show so I will wait happily knowing it will happen and it will be good.

Welcome home boys.

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