Search - Black Crowes :: Lions

A Return to Form!

Chiefcrowe | Los Angeles, CA United States | 05/08/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"After a somewhat overproduced and "standardized" album in 1999 [By Your Side], the Black Crowes have returned to pushing their boundaries with new textures, dynamics, sounds and better lyrics. One of the best things about Lions is that it flows continuously from song to song almost making it seem like one continuous song. I would recommend listening to it on headphones for the first time because of all of the different layers and background nuances that are hard to pick out in the car or on a stereo system.Midnight from the Inside Out is a great opener that has a psychedelic riff which sticks in your head, and Lickin' is a very catchy song and a foray into a more "modern" sound. Other highlights include Losing my Mind with a great touch of acoustic guitar. I think that good use of dynamics really makes a band stand out!Ozone Mama has a different singing style, and is a good example of their expanding sound and Greasy Grass River has a good groove and a great solo in it. Soul Singing has an acoustic intro and will probably be a classic song, it just makes you feel good! Miracle to Me is a beautiful acoustic song, it moved me and is one of my favorites from Lions. Young Man, Old Man shows the funk side of the band and should sound great live. Cosmic Friend has a strange intro with pianos and it almost seems like 2 songs in one, it has a lot to absorb.Cypress Tree has a grinding riff but opens with acoustic parts, and it features some of their darkest lyrics, and I would say its one of the best on the album. The closer Lay it All On Me is a very good slower tune with piano parts and also a nice guitar solo which isn't abbreviated.The only negative aspects of this album for me was the album insert artwork, lack of lyrics in the insert and musically, the lack of more smoking leads by Audley Freed, who wasn't really able to shine. If you see them live you will know what I mean when you see him play on stage.Overall if you're a fan of good rock n' roll, blues, funk, and gospel, you definitely should be picking up this album!"