The Black Crowes - Happiness Bastards (2024)

[Rock]

In the 1990s The Black Crowes were a force to be reckoned with, as each groundbreaking new album brought a fresh set of southern inspired rockabilly. Sure, they were merely reinventing countless bands that had come before them, ranging from The Rolling Stones to Lynyrd Skynyrd, but they did it with ability and swagger that placed them at the top of the pile. Over time their light faded, and when they announced their break-up in early 2015 it barely registered a blip on the rock radar. After such a stellar beginning, they deserved a bigger send off - but years of average albums and in-band chaos meant they parted ways simply, and that was that. Fast forward to 2019 and the brothers Robinson announced they were returning, albeit with a totally new backing band. Would this new band be anywhere near as effective as the original? From the moment the slide guitar breaks the silence on opener 'Bedside Manners' it is obvious this isn't a band having one last laid-back romp as the ease into retirement. This is the energy of The Crowes in their prime, and it doesn't let up. 'Rats And Clowns' sounds like early AC/DC, and lead single 'Waiting And Wanting' grooves in a way that can't be denied. Vintage Crowes never even sounded this good. It isn't all rock and groove though, with quieter moments like 'Cross Your Fingers' reminding us of the southern roots of the band, and the melancholy of 'Wilted Rose' is sublime. 'Bleed It Dry' brings in some blues, and late album highlight 'Flesh Wound' has a chorus that demands to be sung. Ending on a sombre note, 'Kindred Friend' closes the show perfectly. There will always be fans that argue that the old stuff is better than the new stuff, and that is usually true, but The Black Crowes have proven here that there can be an exception to the rule.

Metallica - Load (1996)

[Thrash Metal]

At some point I woke up in the late 90's from my Grunge infused reality and realised that during that time Metallica had released 2 new albums of fresh music and a covers album. Who would have thought? I obviously later came to listen to them and appreciate them for the period of musical history that wasn't always favouring new heavy metal releases. I now own and love all 3 albums, but have chosen Load today. The one after the masterpiece and equally dividing 'Black' album in 1991. Music aside, the band had an image change which wasn't all OK with me at the time. Short hair with wax and stupid face hair, looked laughable. That aside as I spent time with Load and this complete 180 (again) is musical sound, I learnt to really love this album. What I like most is through most songs is Kirk's guitar front and centre driving most songs. The songs are a way, way off from Justice and the early days. From my view there isn't really any filler in 14 songs we are presented with. The album has a certain groove/hillbilly rock about it ('2x4' intro is the perfect example), while at the same time achieving the abrasiveness of a Metallica album. It is just done in a different way. I could comment on each track, but I won't. Other highlights however are 'Hero Of The Day', 'Cure', 'Mama Said' and the final track (clocking in at just under 10 mins) 'The Outlaw Torn'. A great ending. For all those newbies jumping onto the Metallica bandwagon this is something I expect they would have appreciated. For the hardcore 1980's fans it was likely seen as another 'what-tha F' moment for them. To me they Metallica can do no wrong, so I feel guilty for missing them during my infused reality but trust me, since then, this and the other two have had plenty of plays for me to accept and love.