Customer Reviews

Before The Frost...Until The Freeze

5 star:		(68)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

When the "rock" bands that get the most attention are Daughtry and Nickelback, its certainly a relief that the Black Crowes return to show us what a real rock band can sound like. It does seem, however, that the Crowes are becoming less of a rock band and instead are really just a band...and a great one. To call them a rock band would ignore the bands embrace of bluegrass and country, particularly on the Until The Freeze songs. I am not a country or bluegrass fan, but when the Crowes inject their soul into those genres, those songs are just as sweet as any of their gritty rock numbers. And "Good Morning Captain" which opens the disc is probably the Crowes' best "rock" song in a decade. I take that back....its the best rock song they have released this decade until you get to track 2, "Been a Long Time", which is even better. The band(including the guest musicians playing the fiddle and the banjo) sound much tighter and more comfortable together than they did on Warpaint. The additions of Luther and Adam on guitar and keyboards have given the Crowes a new facet to their personality that I hope they continue to explore. Chris's vocals continue to sound better. I have a hard time thinking of a better lead vocalist in rock right now. Chris and Rich's lyrics will lift your soul on this release. "Last Place That Love Lives" and "Fork In The River" are both gorgeous closers that cut to your heart and leave you speechless. An absolute cannot miss. Thank you Crowes for smiling on 2009...we needed it.

Having ridden the various waves of their existence so far from the beginning, I believe that The Black Crowes have recorded the album of their career. Take everything you love about the Crowes - their interesting and dynamic arrangements, great songwriting, solid interplay between instruments, soul-injected vocals and stellar live jams and you've got "Before The Frost...Until the Freeze - and then some! The Crowes have managed to take their music a few steps further, explore some unknown regions and once again, come out shining like gold. Who knew that "Warpaint" was just the beginning of this new chapter of an amazing band's career. This one will be in my cd player for a very long time. Thank you, guys, for some of the best rock & roll ever this side of the Atlantic - and the world!

Once you hear the 1st note you know this is going to be a great album, and I haven't even heard a lick from the 2nd album, Until The Frost (website won't allow download yet). The opening track, Good Morning Captain, is as good as a Black Crowes song gets. Luther Dickenson & Adam MacDougal are showcased right from the start. Not to take anything away from Marc Ford or Eddie Harsch, but Luther & Adam appear to have their heads in the right place and bring a much heavier souther flavor to the Black Crowes. To make the album even better, it was recorded live at Levon Helm's barn in Woodstock. The band sounds tight, and Larry Cambell even appears on a few songs playing banjo. All in all, there isn't a bad song on the album (even the techo-like "I Ain't Hiding" is pretty cool). I've followed these guys their entire career, and this is clearly the best line-up to date. With 2+ years playing together and two great albums (Warpaint was also excellent), the Black Crowes are on top of their game and one of the best live shows to see today. I can't wait to hear the album at Penn's Peak on the 9th. Thanks again guys for another outstanding album.

I'm not sure if anyone has posted this on the Amazon site, as yet, so I will just to inform fellow fans. The vinyl edition of this title contains both albums combined into a single double album. The tracklist in the above entry is just for the CD/download edition.

The vinyl breaks down like this:

Side 1
Aimless Peacock
Good Morning Captain
Been a Long Time (Waiting on Love)
Greenhorn

Side 2
Appaloosa
The Shady Grove
The Garden Gate
Shine Along
Roll Old Jeremiah
Houston Don't Dream About Me

Side 3
I Ain't Hiding
Kept My Soul
Lady of Avenue A
Make Glad
And the Band Played On

Side 4
What Is Home
So Many Times
A Train Still Makes a Lonely Sound
Fork in the River
Last Place That Love Lives

The mixture creates a different experience that can, of course, be recreated in other formats.

Great albums, in whatever format or rendering.

I'm on the edge of 60, and I've been listening to music, and collecting it, since I was eight. My first 45 single purchase was Elvis' "Little Sister." My latest is "Before the Frost...After the Flood," by The Black Crowes. I've enjoyed this band's music since the late 80's, but based on their last so-so album, I would not have stood in line for this one. Fortunately, I didn't have to, because Amazon tempted me with a promo credit I could apply to this set.

I could analyze this record (yeah, I still call 'em records) until I put you to sleep here, but that would not get the job done. The job is to get you to listen to this puppy right now, or real soon.

Like all Black Crowes' music, this thing rocks. "Kept My Soul" is as hard and soulful as anything this band has ever done, and that's sayin' something. But there are whole other worlds of creativity happening herein. "Greenhorn" is a beautiful song with a fantastic lyric that sounds, to my ears, like something by Sondheim. That's a compliment, Captain. "What Is Home?"
is another lovely tune in a similar vein. But what's "I Ain't Hiding" but, believe it or not, a disco-meets-down-home rocker with a Rod Stewart feel? And on and on...this set has surprises in store at every turn, even while wrapped in an Americana sonic package with plenty of acoustic ribbons to keep everything feeling real.

Unlike most new music, this doesn't ever smell like product. "Before the Frost...After the Freeze" is the single finest pop record I've heard in about ten years. The Robinson Brothers have never sounded better in their respective vocal and guitar roles. The songs are literate and meaningful. Every moment makes sense and sounds right.

I'm on my tenth listening right now, and it's only getting better, just the way real classics do.

PKL

"Been A Long Time" (Track 2) since I heard guitar work as good as on this album. Pardon the pun, but the last half of that track alone is worth the price of admission! It rare pleasure to hear original music played by real musicians these days. Along with Delbert McClinton and Seth Walker's "Leap of Faith", The Black Crowes "Before the Frost" is one of my favorite albums of 2009.

I never, repeat I never write reviews about anything, but the group's last two albums have blown me away and and just had to say something. I was really into them on their first two albums but lost intrest in them UNTIL I heard Warpaint and now this masterpiece. The group's blend of country, rock & R&B is stellar beyond words. This is the most eclectic album since Exile On Main Street and it really works.

In case any member of the group should read this, thank you for showing me that someone can actually still make music worth listening to.

David Peck
Reelin' In The Years Productions

Just when I start to feel weary with all the generic rock that is king of the airwaves, I find a gem that rejuvenates my love for rock 'n' roll. Immediately upon first listen, I knew this was going to be a top record for 2009. It's absolutely amazing and both the band and the vocals sounds tighter than I think I've ever heard them. The Black Crowes sound like they're having a terrific time and the enthusiasm in the music is infectious.

I've downloaded Until the Freeze but haven't had the chance to spin it like I have the first part. I've been somewhat of a casual fan up to now in their career but now I'm a diehard.

When Luther Dickenson joined forces with the brothers Robinson, the enormous potential was obvious. I had doubts that reality could deliver on potential. Would Luther stay with the Crowes? What about the Allstars? In Warren Haynes fashion, Luther Dickenson is becoming one of the hardest working musicians in the industry. He finds a way to spread his formidable talents between two bands. For the Black Crowes, this is very good news. As good as the Crowes were without Luther Dickenson, they are orders of magnitude better with him on board. This album is a clinic in the level of music quality that can be achieved when the chemistry, pure talent, and energy of the very best musicians are focused with mutual respect and admiration on every detail of the songs they produce.

This is my favorite Black Crowes album since Amorica. They really brought back the soul that they are capable of delivering in a collection of songs that you want to listen to over and over.

I honestly didn't think they had it in them to do an album this strong again; what a welcome surprise. Good job Crowes!