The Black Crowes

one of my top three favorite groups, at the moment, on the top of the list.


What draws me most to this band is their fearless approach to music and
life in general. The subject and mood of their songs tend to run a gamut from anger to joy, and even joyful anger as a way to fight against stagnation. like Chris said once 'if you feel like a riot, you best not deny it'
It's music like this that taught me, 'hey life can be a challenge, but that doesn't mean it always has to be a burden.' Thats not something you get out of 98% of rock music in the last 20 years. Alot of rock music that kids are presented with today comes from people who seemingly spend a lot of time trapped in industrial concrete jungles and rarely get out to enjoy interacting with other human beings. That has it's place, but sometimes you just gotta get out of your little whole in the ground and join the rest of humanity. and when you are raised in an environment of corporate sanctioned faux anger metal music, stuff like this is a huge breathe of fresh air.
Songs like Thorn in my pride, My Morning song, and Wiser Time present a picture of rural southern roots that most people don't get a glimpse into, and that's something that always reminds me of my time living in Savannah, GA. Ah good times.
The Robinson's not only get their influence from people like sly and the family stone, Otis redding, the Allman brothers, and a huge list of southern blues acts. Also Rod Stewart's original band, the Faces, and the rolling stones, have a huge part in their music. Ironically, they get lumped with Led Zeppelin a lot. Zep has a big part in their music, especially since they toured with Jimmy Paige for a while. Chris Robinson has been quoted as saying he doesn't particularly like Plant's singing style.
Anyway, this is one of the few groups out there in the mainstream that still presents rock music from it's roots. There are even country songs, and they are done the proper way. The music is generally very relaxed, even at it's most tense moments. The songs talk about sex ( but not in an overtly misogynistic way), being in love, not being in love, being pissed off, traveling the world, and sometimes just having fun hanging out with your friends drinking a beer.