Customer Reviews

New Earth Mud

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Chris Robinson's New Earth Mud is the sound of a musician who's happy to be doing his own thing. A musician who has settled into a comfortable life and is enjoying time with his true love. These are the feelings that pervade the album, and make it more of a laid-back affair. I think comparing it to John Lennon's "Double Fantasy" would be a valid comparison, as it has that sort of "joy of life and love" feel to it. However, on this album we are thankfully spared songs by the singer's significant other, although I'm sure Kate Hudson is probably a much better singer than Yoko Ono.

Mellow is the key word to this CD. It's not hard-rocking like The Black Crowes, it's more subtle with the emphasis on songwriting and the feel-good vibe. Musically, the album could be compared to the likes of Tom Petty's "Wildflowers", The Grateful Dead's "American Beauty" or Neil Young's "Harvest". That's sort of the sound that we get here. Mid-tempo songs performed mostly on acoustic guitars, with a touch of folk and country influence. There's a bit of instrumental jamming, which just adds to the retro feel of the disc.

I think this is a fine album. It might not appeal to all fans of The Black Crowes, but it's a good one to put on when you're feeling mellow and just want something soothing, but with a good groove to listen to.

This cd is an eye opener. Chris Robinson is now a solo artist, and an important one at that. Make no mistake: New Earth Mud is a major achievement.

I have been a Black Crowes fan for over a decade, and have more than anything, enjoyed the Crowes live and acoustic (anyone ever heard the Black and Blue bootleg?). This solo album captures that raw smoke and whiskey feeling, balanced by coffee and cigarette mornings after. Chris writes wonderful songs. Stories. Digs deep and drags you down there with him ... into the New Earth Mud.

But his voice. He is so versatile ... quietly evocative in one instance, grittily aggressive in another. Chris sings with restraint here mostly, but it seems effortless. Couple that with great bare-bones production and wonderful ensemble musicianship and you have one of the best albums I have heard in the last 15 years.

When's the next one coming Chris?

5 Stars

This is a great album. It is more mellow than what Chris did with the Crowes, but I'm totally fine with that. It's the kind of album that sounds good on a warm summer day, or a cold winter one. It would be a good thing to play along with the Dead, or some of Neil Young's more acoustic stuff. The first song "Safe in the arms of love" is a great start. Another good "Crowes-ish" song is "Sunday Sound". The love song to Kate, "Katie Dear", is a bit sappy, but still good. And the song "Fables" has an almost magical feel to it. The DVD is alright. It has 4 more audio tracks and a short documentary. Not bad, but the kind of thing you'll probably watch twice at most. I highly recommend this and think it's great that Chris seems to be doing what he wants, on his terms, and having fun with it.

The Crowes are the greatest band that ever were, but i pay no attention to anything - other than some rumblings a year or so ago, had no idea this was coming out, so it was a wonderful surprise, although looking at the song titles before i heard it, "Katie Dear" kinda filled me with dread,(actually a fragile little dewy spider web on an autumn morning of a song) but turns out it was unjustified. A fewpoints:
-It doesn't SOUND like the Crowes, but its Chris expressing himself, which he's a good at, so if you love the crowes deep down, than you'll love this too. The first song is the maybe the Crowes-iest thing here - a deep fried riff - put that guitar on yo hip boy! First listen reminded me in places of the By Your Side bsides
-Interesting people involved - one of the Stone temple Pilots, some guy I never heard of who is the most involved and comes off as a good guy who I'd be interested to know more about, The enigma that is Eddie Harsch (hurrah) oh and the greatest guitarist it's ever ben my pleasure to stand infront of slack jawed - MARC FORD! hell YEAH!
-Really nicely arranged - weird organs, moogs, only some dodgy Nick Drake sounding Saxophone on Untangle my Mind is a little jarring
-Good to excellent lyrics throughout. Not as bad as they have been (listening to the missing songs of the crowes career on Tall As Can Be it seems that it was often the quality of lyrics that dicated if a song made it onto the records - when Our Hero writes bad lyrics he really writes bad lyrics, but when he's good it's poetry pure and simple and bests Dylan) Somewhere between Wiser Time and Heavy all in all.
-Chris wrote alot of these on his own, which is interesting 'cause Rich always wrote the music and he the words as I understand it, so its good to hear his musical ideas, and guitar playing which is lovely in a Mark Olson/Creek Dipper way.
-In it's own right i think this is a beautiful record - Chris certainly developing, using shade and colour well and thinking about what he wants to say. Of course five stars, because I think he's a genius and am entirely biased
I think I can understand that for his first record on his own, Chris may not have wanted to involve any of the Crowes directly, it DOES make sense, and it feels selfish to say it, BUT

You have to wonder... What of the rest of the Marc Ford stuff? I don't want to do Paul Stacey a diservice, but with every listen to the holy trinity (Southern Harmony, Amorica, 3 Snakes) and the live recordings from that time (93 - 96 man - what shows!) Marc Ford's stock rises a little more and I miss him a little more every time. Ed is here as well in the background of the songs and its like we're being teased a little bit I imagine that there's some bridges to be rebuilt, but you have to imagine that the feeling those guys must have experienced when they played was sublime - just seeing them was terribly moving - being the source of that is almost unimaginable.

Take it for what it is - a brilliant record, tender, happy, a little wiser (3000 more in 2 days), a little wider than one might expect, and thats good. I look forward to listening to this almost constantly for the next few months i should imagine and then throughout the rest of my life as devoted Acrowe-lyte. Another quick selfish fantasy hinted at above - how cool would it be for chris and Mark Olson to do something?

It's just so tantalising that with Marc involved however far back that may have been, and however good this record is (and it is - fivestars!) the phantom of the most awe inspiring live presence of at least the last thirty years (ever for me) - the creature they called Robinson/Robinson/Ford/Colt/Gorman/Harsch (well Ok, noone called them that, but come on...!) hangs over it like Midnight Mass over Advent.

Whatever, enjoy it, cause its lovely, personal and very sincere without being cloying - perfectly balanced in fact. And thanks to the man for letting us in on whats going on in his life. Love him xx

This is clearly the work of a man who appreciates the value of having an entire album experience, as opposed to focusing on singles. Of course this is nothing new with him, considering the unspeakably great band he has fronted. From start to finish this work flows and shines brightly through cracks in the walls into a darkened room. And there are also bubbles floating through the air.I dont know where he found these Stacy guys he made the record with, but wow what a powerfully good job they did of helping Chris to manifest his vision. Look man, Im sorry, Five Stars ,OK?

I love this album. From the gorgeous cover art and packaging to the songs inside it...Chris has done a wonderful job. I was very anxious to hear this material and I am not disappointed. I must admit that I am a HUGE Chris fan and love the Crowes, but this is very different than anything Chris did with the guys. Its very mature, and I dont intend that to take away from anything the Crowes did, but Chris is older, and this music shows. Track highlites for me include "Silver Car" "Sunday Sound" (composed with Marc Ford!) and "Ride." The whole album is great, and if we cant have the Crowes, I'll take more from Chris. Buy this album now!

The album New Earth Mud is a departure from the guitar rock of the black crowes it is more reminiscent of the singer song writer genre of the 70's. Well crafted songs. The lyrics are very heart felt and sincere in there delivery. Great Album, Great Flow to it, except for the song "ride" which seems out of place but is still a great song on its own. I would recommend this album if you are looking for a chill album. If you like Tom Petty's "The Last DJ" then this album is for you. Plus it is a great album to jam to if you are guitar player, the melody's are very sweet. The DVD is a nice addition to the album, Documentary and extra songs, pretty sweet.

well, i turned 30 this past year and i thought my love for good music was just a phase i went through, or something that is reserved for people younger than me. i remember when i was in my teens, i would buy an album and listen nonstop for days & days. i hadn't done that in a while, until i bought this album. i now realize there just hasn't been any good music since before the grunge days. i had only heard "safe in the arms of love" when i purchased it. i thought it was a really decent song, and i was so desperate for some new music that was listenable i took a chance and bought the album. man, was this the right decision! i can't take it out of my car stereo. the rest of the songs don't really sound like "safe". but they are the best songs i have heard in years. i like the album so well that this is the first review that i felt like i should write. other people are saying you would have to either like or dislike the black crowes to apprieciate this album. i don't agree. i was a big fan of the first two crowes albums, but i couldn't name a song on their later ones. heres how i would explain it: if you deeply love music, but you think 99% of the stuff on the radio nowadays is garbage, this album is for you!

This album is amazing. Sure, like some of the less pleased reviewers, I miss Rich. But I think Chris more than holds his own. The songs are soulful and well written. I'd like to suggest that the guy who said the album is "boring" is a boring person. Sure, most of the tunes are acoustic, and the songs a little slower than the Crow's work, but grab a beer, watch the sunset and listen to what he's singing. What's not to love?

I've had this CD FOR quite some time and just got another because of one of my favorite tracks ("Ride") is skipping, so I need another copy. At first few listens, I really didn't like it, but then listened a bit more and it really grew on me. In fact, I love this CD. I find it to be very soulful and meaningful. Great written songs. I would repeat Safe in Arms as soon as it ended because I loved it so much. Watching the DVD is a good look into writing of that song and find Chris to just be very cool when he makes the Paul McCartney reference. His second release is just as good as this one. Chris is my favorite front man and just love how he is as a performer and a real down to earth, just how it is, kind of guy. Give this CD a few listens and really listen to how is was produced and you will find it hard to stop playing. Great disc!!!