Before the Frost... is the latest studio release from Southern Rockers The Black Crowes. Well, sort of. This album, as well as the download only companion release ...Until The Freeze, were recorded over a series of five nights at Levon Helm Studios in front of an intimate audience of the band's fans. So yes, both are studio recordings, but performed live in the studio in front of an audience. Make sense?
Whatever way you want to classify this, the bottom line is that Before the Frost... is prime Black Crowes, the music containing all that we've come to love from this band. The earthy, organic flavors, the funk vibe, the Southern fire, the smattering of jam band adventure, it's all here and then some. Opening cut "Good Morning Captain" is as good as Souther Rock gets, complete with searing slide guitars and Chris Robinson's passionate vocals. Hard rocker "Been a Long Time (Waiting on Love)" is one of the most exciting songs this band has ever recorded, chock full of gritty guitars, soaring Hammond, tight grooves, and a driving sense of purpose that never lets up. Luthor Dickinson's lead guitar work is especially impressive here-let's face it, he's been a great new addition to this group, and continues the fine playing he exhibited on Warpaint. The country rock "Appaloosa" has some great vocal melodies and lush instrumentation, and the groove laden mix of funk and disco beats on "I Ain't Hiding" provides one of the album's most surprising yet enjoyable moments. I dare anyone to be able to stop from jumping up and getting your groove on during this bouncy rocker, which also boasts some tasty guitar work and tricky drum passages. Other highlights include the bluesy, Rolling StonesFaces inspired "Kept My Soul", the heavy funk rock of "Make Glad", and the tasty Southern rocker "And the Band Played On", which features some honky tonk piano and wailing slide guitars.
In the end, Before the Frost... is just a great rock and roll record, as The Black Crowes throw in everything but the kitchen sink; some Southern rock, some folk, some country, some funk, some hard rock, and some jam. It all makes for a very fun and inspired listen from one of the hardest working bands on the scene.
Track Listing
1. Good Morning Captain
2. Been A Long Time (Waiting On Love)
3. Appaloosa
4. A Train Still Makes A Lonely Sound
5. I Ain t Hiding
6. Kept My Soul
7. What Is Home
8. Houston Don't Dream About Me
9. Make Glad
10. And The Band Played On
11. Last Place That Love Lives
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