New Earth Mud (with Bonus DVD)

Chris Robinson

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 22, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Redline Ent
• ASIN: B00006JIUX
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (47 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #45,659 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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  Music > Indie Music > Rock > Classic Rock

Track Listings

1. Safe in the Arms of Love

2. Silver Car

3. The Kids That Ain't Got None

4. Could You Really Love Me

5. Untangle My Mind

6. Fables

7. Sunday Sound

8. Barefoot By The Cherry Tree

9. Katie Dear

10. Ride

11. Better Than The Sun

12. She's On Her Way

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Former Black Crowes frontman Chris Robinson quickly stakes out his own turf on his solo debut, frequently eschewing his familiar rock rasp for a simpler, neo-folkie delivery. Tracks like the soulful "Fables," the haunting "Katie Dear," and infectious "Silver Car" most effectively navigate a new path. But ironically, Robinson's deliberate distancing from the Crowes' excesses paints him into problematic corners. The laid-back country jones he exhibits on "Sunday Sound" and "Barefoot by the Cherry Tree" often gets the best of him, while the spare, promising folk-rock of "Could You Really Love Me?" degenerates into familiar Robinson tent-revival vocal territory. If "Ride"'s funky corners and Robinson's general willingness to experiment show promise, they also suggest the singer's talents need a little competitive goosing, a reinforcement the decades-old truism that the greatest rock music is often the byproduct of the fiercest rivalries and infighting. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A more mellow Chris Robinson, January 18, 2003

By	FairiesWearBoots8272 (USA) - See all my reviews

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.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Revelation!, February 10, 2003

By	Michael Gardner (Mason City, IA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Crow flies solo., December 4, 2002

By	H3@+h (VT) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

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.