Search - Black Crowes :: Amorica

Clasico! Clasicamente!!!

The PROjectors | Oslo, Norge | 09/16/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Now that the 'Lost Crowes' compilation is being released at the end of the month (find it now torrentially,) I find myself revisiting this glorious recording. Although some of the versions contained on these new 'demos' are revelatory (check the chorus on 'Descending' as well as the french horn ending a la 'You Can't Always Get What You Want') most are what you would expect. Anyway, those were the seeds of THIS superb album. When I first listened to Amorica on the day it was released, 'London P.25' (better on the 'Lost Crowes') and 'Downtown Moneywaster' were my least favorite tracks. This did not matter in the least, as the rest had surpassed anything I had expected in rock music at the time. At a time when techno was peaking, this album was out of place with most of the young people at the time (in Ft. Lauderdale, at least) but it is a landmark!!! If you are considering the Crowes, get this one. DO IT!!! The Southern Harmony was really a favorite of mine (and also a classic,) but this SOB is the shiznit."

I CONCUR

Dave Fruge | Metairie, La. United States | 11/26/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have been a fan of Crowes from the beginning. I bought "Money Maker" as soon as I heard "Hard To Handle" & loved it. I was given "Southern Harmony" as a gift before the first single got airplay & was BLOWN AWAY! Then, I bought this album when I saw the video for "Conspiracy". (Featuring Chris made up like Brandon Lee's "The Crow") Like the other reviewers, I just didn't take to it & wondered if The Crowes were a "2 album wonder". Yesterday, I gave it another listen due to the reviews on Amazon. Now, I've never been a yes-man, but I have to agree with the others. The Black Crowes have never been a group to attempt to write a "hit", but instead write from the heart. While I still think "Southern Harmony" is their Tour-De-Force, there's something about "Amorica". It's as if the Robinson brothers wrote this one from the SOUL, & that's just where it grabbed me. You start with "Gone", which is a good solid rocker. Then comes "Conspiracy", which may be the best rocker they've ever done. It's lyrics are cool, & Chris's phrasing on the verses is almost as if to say, "I'M THE #1 MAN! DON'T LIKE IT? HERE I AM! WHATCHOO GONNA DO ABOUT IT? Yet, on the chorus, he switches to his signature tender tone like noone else can. The next several songs slow things down JUST SLIGHTLY, & just as you're getting comfortable with that, the boys come at you with "P.25 London", which is one of their coolest rockers & gives "Conspiracy" a run for it's money. Because your rock adreneline is up, the album ends with "Descender". It's a pretty, peaceful instrumental which eases you back to earth so the rocking doesn't just get "cut off". Now, if you're new to The Crowes or want to go past the greatest hits, I'd take them in order. But, once you get your feet wet, jump into this one. Also, don't make the same mistake as me & put it aside if you're disappointed on your first listen. After 1 or 2 more trys, TRUST ME, it WILL grab you, & you WON'T REGRET IT!!!!!!!!!!"

4.5 STARS!

Jeffrey G. Stevenson | F.W.B.,FL | 04/11/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I LOVE THIS ALBUM!!! I place this release among a handful of releases from other artists that seem to be the "dark" or "least popular" releases E.g. Van Halen's 'Fair Warning'; Red Hot Chili Pepper's 'One Hot Minute'; and maybe The Police's 'Ghost in the Machine'. Obviously, this is my opinion, but the above mentioned albums are the best material from the said bands...and Amorica is, to me, one of those albums. This album runs the gamut, from "good old drinking and smoking" tunes to melancholy songs and almost everything in between...truly the most "moving" album that the Crowes have released---'Wiser Times','Cursed Diamond','Non-Fiction' and several others fall into that very rare Transcendent, almost surreal type music. So after you've heard the more "popular" releases from the boys(which are excellent as well), you NEED to give this disc it's fair recognition...This is definately REQUIRED LISTENING!!! Enjoy, Jeff"