THE BLACK CROWES - A POUND OF FEATHERS

We could go on at length about the "new formula" of The Crowes, back with yet another new lineup, this time without a second guitarist or bassist, Rich handling both roles himself! But the main thing is to celebrate their return, a year after the fantastic "Happiness Bastards," a surprise hit after so much waiting, so many breakups, and so many arguments…

Yet, despite the presence of the same producer, the sound is different, heavier, and requires several listens to fully appreciate it, even if the opening track, "Prophane Prophecy," which sounds like it came straight from a Stones album, reassures us about the duo's form. Then there's "Cruel Steak" with its incredible riff, as well as "Do the Parasite," clearly designed for the stage—these two tracks demonstrating that Rich still knows how to compose on the guitar! This is confirmed on "Blood Red Regrets" with its violins... And what about "You Call This a Good Time," which, up until the sixteenth second, makes us think it's an AC/DC track, albeit a bit grittier? And "It's Like That," with its unfamiliar sound for the band, doesn't exactly cool things down. We then find ourselves in familiar territory with "Eros Blues" and especially the superb "Pharmacy Chronicles," still influenced by Glimmer Twins, before delivering an acoustic "Queen of the B Sides" and the catchy "High and Lonesome," top-notch tracks featuring another violin.

The album closes with "Doomsday Doggerel," which will surprise the band's fans, with its dark, unsettling lyrics and, above all, a heavy, cold, and truly unusual sound with distortion... but how can we not also applaud the band's willingness to take risks and step outside their comfort zone? In the end, quite a few good, even very good, tracks, the return of a legendary band, a new tour underway: let's appreciate it.

Chris MARQUIS