The Black Crowes' first two albums, Shake Your Money Maker and The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion, were both solid southern rock albums. The demonstrated that they could write rock songs and ballads as well as anybody. But they were somewhat lacking in depth.
With Amorica, that changed. They started experimenting a little bit, and some folk influence started creeping in. And we got a collection of songs that fit together better than either of their previous albums. This is where the Crowes went from being just another guitar rock band to being real artists with a truly interesting contribution.
Lest you think they ceded their ability to write solid rock songs, their riffs are as good as they ever were. But there are more dynamics, and the softer parts are more textured, and feature more acoustic instrumentation.
Every time I hear this album, it throws me into another Black Crowes kick. This is the best early Crowes album, and one of my favorites of the 1990s.
Standout tracks:
- Wiser Time
- Descending
- Nonfiction
- A Conspiracy
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