Album review: THE BLACK CROWES – Happiness Bastards

Silver Arrow [Release date: 15.03.24]

Well, seeing as I picked this as one of my albums of the year, I really ought to review it! Released in March, it is refreshing to pen a few words about an album I’ve been able to wear around the house for a little while, like an old pair of slippers.

That level of comfort is close to what you feel when you realise this album is a long overdue return to form for the Black Crowes. Back in the day, I remember an acute sense of disappointment on listening to ‘Amorica’ after the barnstorming quality of their first two albums. Some might disagree, but with a few exceptions, I don’t think they really caught that early wave again. ‘Happiness Bastards’ has restored the balance. Their first album of new material for 15 years.

It is a really fine album, with much of the groove, swagger and style of old. Opener ‘Bedside Manners’ is a belter: up-tempo, a touch of blues, livewire solos, piano and soaked in those gorgeous 90’s vibes; and ‘Wanting and Waiting’ finds a similar feel with a gorgeous guitar piledrive on the chorus that makes you feel warm all over. Brilliant.

Later on, ‘Follow the Moon’ is full-on dirty slide guitar and lacquered vocals that sees the Robinson brothers bouncing off each other like they never fell out at all. How glad we are that they buried the hatchet again, and not in each other.

But it’s far from all old school. ‘Rats and Clowns’ brings stacked vocals and hard rock power driven by a kicking drum track with more backbone than a stegosaurus’s spine (sorry, the analogies start to run thin this late in the year).

The good stuff keeps coming. ‘Bleed it Dry’ has a fat, crawling riff, harp overlays and channels the Stones at their raunchiest. ‘Flesh Wound’ picks up the pace and hints at a celtic mood on the mid-track change up. ‘Cross Your Fingers’ brings the subtle acoustic moments before twisting into a track with a cobra’s bite.

Chris is singing with character and passion, whilst Rich plays his backside off. The band sound up for this and there is depth to everything here. No weak links. A couple of ballads contrast nicely with each other. ‘Wilted Rose’ features Lainey Rose and is a country thing with shimmering drops of organ and vibrant guitar that morphs into an edgy beast, whilst album closer ‘Kindred Friend’ is subtle, tender and warm. There are mood changes aplenty.

The production throughout is thoroughly modern and razor sharp. Jay Joyce has concentrated the essential Black Crowes sound into a tight 38 minutes. This is as good as anything they have ever done and I am one Happiness Bastard knowing that they are back. ****½

Review by Dave Atkinson

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

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Power Plays w/c 9 December 2024

In this sequence we play ‘The Best of 2024′ GRTR! reviewer selections

Featured Albums w/c 9 December 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2024 (Singer Songwriter)