Customer Reviews

Paper

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is the signature Sound the Black Crowes made themselves famous with back in the early nineties. It's what was missing from the various solo efforts of members of the BC since the hiatus in 2001. Although some of those efforts were outstanding Rich brings it front and center again with this solo Rich Robinson work. Now before you think its just rehashed BC material, it's not. Rich has written and is performing a ongoing saga of updated and modern writing and playing that is a natural progression of his earlier work. And wait! He sings!. With an honesty and tone that fits these songs to a T. With Rich's well known wall of sound and some of the best use of riffs in rock and roll, this CD will make you a fan, if you wasn't already. Like a lot of BC fans we were waiting for this solo cd from Rich and were not disappointed with quality. Its time to be come aquainted with the writer of the music that made the 90's so great. Let me introduce you, This is Rich Robinson, fantastic writer of music, guitar player, the riff master and now singer. Rich Robinson....the Solo artist.Bravo

So you were disappointed by Chris Robinson's solo albums? They seemed interesting, but not ... complete? Like Chris needed a band that understood him? Well friends I have the antidote and the cure and the acorn did not fall far from the tree...

From the first stuttering riffs of 'Yesterday I Saw You' on Rich Robinson's PAPER it's as clear who is the soul of the Black Crowes. As clear as the difference in the Mick Jagger and Keith Richards solo records.

What can you expect? Well the first three cuts are walls of swirling guitars; 'Yesterday I Saw You','Eneny' and 'Leave It Alone' picking up where the Crowes LIONS left off. 'Know Me' and it's slide and lower production value harken back earlier days sounding like a lost late era Zeppelin track. 'Forgiven Song' and it's slow funeral speed, pedal steel and fiddles play like Jerry Jeff Walker's Lost Gonzo Band doing the Stones 'Moonlight Mile.' 'Veil' is a cousin to the Crowes 'Evil Eye,' and 'When You Will' to 'Non Fiction.'

But with 'Places' Rich explores an evil feedback drenched overdriven riff unlike anything ever heard on his other band's records. Not Black Sabbath heavy, not CCR swampy, it's just a plodding and insistant groove that just drags you under with it. The mood is lightened by 'Begin' and it's pre-'Joker' Steve Miller sound with nice keyboards by Crowes mainstay Eddie Hawrsch. 'Falling Away' is a great slow acoustic ballad over which Rich lays some of his signature blues bending. The keyboard driven 'Baby' and 'Oh No' allow Rich some open tuning slide time. 'Answers' with a string quartet in the background and 'It's Over' are rhythym driven tracks,'Answers' being a bouncing rhythym and 'It's Over' following a turnaround waltz.

Rich Robinson has created an album of music that I absolutely love. I can't put this album down. It really is hard to describe how musical this album is. It has such feeling, emotion, love, energy and intellect. In the past (even though they are one of my favorites) I think The Black Crowes were trying a little too hard to "create" a legacy like their forefathers...Led Zeppelin, but listening to Rich Robinson's solo work makes me realize that he isn't trying. Rich Robinson really has the talent and creative prowess already, and he is just expressing and sharing his talents. He should continue to write and record solo work. However, I love The Black Crowes so much that I want them to get back together...especially after LIONS was such an unbelievable album in its own right. Rich, you are my latest and greatest musical hero!!!

EDIT ADDED (1/18/08)...I was looking for something up beat and fun rockin' to listen to today. I scrolled through the artists in my iPod and came across Rich Robinson which caught my eye. I am listening to this album again, and man it is so good. Great guitar work in the vein of The Black Crowes or bluesy roots rock. Rich has a nice tone to guitar playing...this album sounds so warm and inviting with rich textures of guitar tones...the guitars all sound like vintage equipment including warm tube amps and or acoustic guitars made of solid American wood...GREAT STUFF!!! If you like The Black Crowes, then this album is a must have!

I'm a huge fan of the Black Crowes. This is most certainly not the Crowes, and that's not at all a bad thing. Chris and Rich are complimentary (musically) and added to what we knew as the Black Crowes. Their hiatus may have been the best thing for the band. It certainly gave each of them the freedom to grow in the ways they felt constrained by their former band and this album really shows that growth on Rich's part, no, he does not have nearly the vocal presence as his brother, but give the man credit for exploring what he is capable of! He's done a wonderful job with this album, and I'd definately reccomend it to guitar lovers and anyone seeking contemporary music WORTH listening to... just don't expect the Crowes, or you'll be disappointed, it's a whole new show.

I am understandably weary of solo albums by people who were in important bands. Let's face it, artists do often peak early in their careers, or only make the music you really want to hear as a result of the chemistry they had in their seminal bands. That's why I was really refreshed that this album stands on its own, as an album, period, whether or not it's creator was in The Black Crowes, one of my favorite bands of all time.
"Paper" is a catchy, heavy psychedelic rock album. It's got hooks, crunch, lush arrangements and of course, awesome guitar work. The songs vary from mid and up tempo rockers to slower, more pensive, dirge-like songs. "Paper" shows a huge amount of range and songwriting skill. I think that besides Crowes fans, fans of Dave Matthews, O.A.R. or Ben Harper should check this out; some of the stuff on here reminds me more of a jam band than it does southern rock, although there's some of that too. Overall I think this is a well-done and fun to listen to album that's worth your time

Rich Robinson is known as the controlling, yet excellent guitarist of the Black Crowes. When the Black Crowes split, his brother, Chris, started a little solo project called New Earth Mud. Two albums after Chris, Rich releases "Paper" on his fans, and I couldn't be happier. With both solo projects now in effect, it is very easy to see where the Black Crowes got their sound from...a little of both brothers. Where as Chris' albums and live shows are slightly more experimental, even psychedelic if you will; Rich's album is just rock n' roll. He creates monster riffs and knows the limited exent of his voice. His vocals are weak in comparison to other singers (such as Chris Robinson, again) but he never strains it. He knows his limit, so it never sounds bad. This album shows Rich's knowlegde of music as well, playing every instrument except for drums and a few stringed instruments. A very solid effort by one of rock's best musicians. Check out his own "Live at the Knitting Factory" available from Dynasonic as well.

Finally this album came out. Waited awhile to see it released(I had heard a few tracks a friend had gotten somewhere earlier, either online or otherwise.) It always made sense to me that Rich would be the more traditional of the two Robinson brothers. I don't know much about their nonmusical history but hearing this makes you think there may have been some creative differences in the band; with Chris as the more "adventurous" one and Rich sticking with what he does best, which is straight-ahead Rock n' Roll. He always sounds tight, and knows his limitations, therefore never making it sound too contrived. For example, he doesn't have the most range or natural singing ability of anyone, but he doesn't try to, and it suits his style anyway, so it's a smart move on his part. If you like the Black Crowes' most Southern material from their albums, this is something you should definitely check out.

The guitar riffs smack you right where it counts. Young Rich Robinson has earned a spot on my list of favorite guitarists. The arrangements are well written and produced. The problem I have is that Rich is a sub-par vocalist...to the point of deterring from potentially great tracks. He'd have been wise to use a guest vocalist on much of this disc. Multi layering and lush harmonies do help, but not enough.

This guy is an awesome guitar player. King of odd tunings listen close. Funny but both Rich and his bro are great solo artist

I've been listening to the Black Crowes since before anyone heard of them, and I've been a little disappointed by the quality and the quantity of their releases lately. I purchased this CD after looking for something new and reading the reviews. After a few listenings, I can recommend this album without hesitation. It's a mix of rock and blues, and has the classic sound that made me love the Black Crowes in the first place. The writing here is more varied and daring, but it's Rich Robinson through and through. Even his vocals are quite good. Good stuff.

2 weeks later: I liked the album a lot when I first played it, but I've listened to it about 10 times in the past 2 weeks. This is a very good album -- it has really grown on me. I have a new-found appreciation of the Black Crowes sound -- I assumed a lot of it was Marc Ford -- it wasn't. I hope there is more to come -- another solo effort would be more than welcome. Great songwriting, great musicianship, and leaves a pleasant flavor in your mouth -- a very strong album from a(n) (unfortunately) bygone era or real rock...