On ‘A Pound of Feathers,’ The Black Crowes Turn Up the Weight With A Ton Of Riffs (ALBUM REVIEW)

In 2024, The Black Crowes returned with their first album of new material in fifteen years, Happiness Bastards. The brothers Robinson ended their feud, and critics loved it. GRAMMY nods followed. Glide was the dissenting opinion, but however you feel about that release, A Pound Of Feathers finds Chris and Rich incredibly energized, successfully capitalizing on their recent buzz and commercial success. 

For a band that always takes its sweet time, A Pound Of Feathers was recorded in a blazing ten days, as the group worked again with producer Jay Joyce in Nashville. Chris and Rich continue putting their spin on mid-70’s Rolling Stones, Faces, and Humble Pie rock and roll, with southern country twang accents for variety, and this album draws on palpable energy from their artistically invigorating reunion. 

One pleasant surprise throughout the record is an extra dose of heavy metal injected into their sound. The screaming, cowbell laced opener “Profane Prophecy” and the smoking “It’s Like That” both have Sticky Fingers DNA but rev up a harder edge via Back In Black, and that combo works winningly. The closing “Doomsday Doggerel” drops some sludge metal/stoner rock into the mix, successfully wrapping up the heaviest record of their career. 

That added weighty edge gives things a bit more flavor, as “Cruel Streak” would be just another groover from the long-running act, but the fuzzed-up riffs and slamming drum sound elevate it. The same goes for their sleazy rockers, the strutting “Do The Parasite!” and “You Call This A Good Time”, as both get an extra push over the top, pounding and raging with passion.     

“Pharmacy Chronicles” deploys an excellent acoustic/slide pairing as the guitars work in southern rock fashion, while “Queen Of The B-Sides” brings in the blues as gorgeous vocals soar around piano, acoustic strums, and slides. A few tracks, like the stomping violin-laced “High And Lonesome”, the stop/start “Eros Blues”, and the string cushioned “Blood Red Regrets” threaten to derail, but each delivers enough nuance and charm to save the day.   

The revitalized Robinsons are in control of their fate as they twist their formula and sound, but never deviate from their bread and butter, heavy retro rock. The difference to these ears between Happiness Bastards and A Pound Of Feathers is a clear, harder edge, and more importantly, the Robinsons smell success and are fully invested in the band. That hunger is palpable as the heavy songs throughout A Pound Of Feathers kick down doors announcing The Black Crowes are fully back.