BLACK CROWES RELEASE FIRST ALBUM IN 7 YEARS WITH WARPAINT

The Black Crowes have unleashed Warpaint, which is their first album since 2001 and it debut landed in the top 5 on The Billboard 200

The Black Crowes have released their highly anticipated first album together since 2001 and the album, titled “Warpaint” debuted at #5 on The Billboard Top 200 Chart. “Warpaint,” which was produced by Paul Stacey at Allaire Studios at the foot of the Catskills in upstate New York, signals brothers Chris and Rich Robinson returning to their songwriting roots and what made the band such a seminal Rock N Roll force, resulting in a body of work with sales of 20 million albums worldwide. The Black Crowes perhaps prematurely, parted ways in 2001 after the release of “Lions” and it was widely publicized that both Chris and Rich definitely needed some time apart after a tumultuous recording experience and final tour.

In an earlier interview, we spoke to Chris Robinson to get his thoughts on songwriting with his brother Rich once again after almost seven years apart.

“Like everything else, life is only balance. There’s only good and bad and there’s only light and dark and you can’t do anything without recognizing the other. You know with experience and with time comes being able to breathe in and breathe out and be a little more…a little less bipolar.”

For “Warpaint” The Black Crowes also added guitarist Luther Dickinson, best known for his work in the North Mississippi All-Stars, and shining throughout the album is his ability to fit in seamlessly with Rich’s guitar and the voice of Chris Robinson. Dickinson not only contributed to the recording but he also joins the The Black Crowes touring band as well. Chris also talked about expecting more from his band mates and why it’s so important for him to be a creative entity.

“We definitely expected more from everyone also, like ‘Isn’t everyone in on the revolution? You know what I mean? Doesn’t everybody want to feel free?’ Sometimes people just want to come hear your music, you know. And as a young kid it takes awhile, my belief system is my belief system. I feel, in the sense of I’ve always felt the same way about music, you know. It represents freedom. To be able to live my life as a creative entity is important.”

“Warpaint” was recently reviewed by Maxim magazine and was given a very meager 2 1/2 Stars rating out of 5. However, after finiding out the magazine had only reviewed the first single, ‘Goodbye Daughters of the Revolution,’ instead of the entire album, The Black Crowes manager Pete Angelus released this statement on behalf of the band. “Maxim’s actions seem to completely lack journalistic integrity and intentionally mislead their readership. When confronted with the fact that they never heard the album they are claiming to ‘review’ in their music section–with a star rating, no less–they attempt to explain that it was an ‘educated guess. It speaks directly to the lack of the publication’s credibility. In my opinion, it’s a disgrace to the arts, journalism, critics, the publication itself and the public. What’s next–Maxim’s concert reviews of shows they never attended, book reviews of books never read and film reviews of films never seen?”” When approached for an explanation, Maxim Magazine described the review as “an educated guess preview.”

The Black Crowes are one of the few acts to emerge in the early ’90s still thriving today. And fewer still can claim to have shared the stage with Jimmy Page, AC/DC, Bob Dylan, Grateful Dead, Aerosmith, The Rolling Stones, Neil Young and The Who. For the first time in their 18-year career, The Black Crowes will perform an album of theirs in its entirety on a special run of “One Night Only” shows which began March 2nd and wrapped up March 20th in Los Angeles, Ca. The Black Crowes launch their overseas tour March 24th when they headline the East Coast Blues & Roots Festival in Australia. They’ll continue their Down Under trek–their first since 1991–through April 5th, and conclude with exclusive performances in London and Amsterdam concluding April 11th. A major market multiple night U.S. tour will begin in May, with cities and venues to be announced in the near future.