Records: The Black Crowes' By Your Side

By Peter Smith

The early '90s saw a throwback rock band from Atlanta spring to the forefront of popular music. To many rock fans, the Black Crowes were a welcome relief from the plasticity of late '80s pop metal and the increasing popularity of the hip-hop juggernaut. The Black Crowes rocked, '70s style, and the carefree rebelliousness of their music was refreshing at the time. Songs like "She Talks to Angels," from their 1990 debut Shake Your Money Maker, and "Remedy," from the 1992 follow-up The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion, reveled unabashedly in their Stones-derived rock'n'roll attitude. But those who anticipated the announcement of By Your Side, over six years after the last Crowes album, seemed to sense that the group's moment had passed for good.

By Your Side explodes out of the speakers with lead singer/male diva Chris Robinson's throaty, bluesy vocals. Along with brother Rich Robinson's crunchy guitar riffs, the Crowes' core elements appear intact at the outset of the album. Sure enough, on the rare occasion when By Your Side does shine, it's because of the brothers Robinson. "Kickin' My Heart Around" flutters with Rich's powerful guitar while Chris convincingly belts out the pain of some lost love. It's not a bad song by any means, and as the second track, it bodes well for the rest of the album.

This auspicious beginning, however, quickly fades as all the songs on By Your Side begin to sound alike. Perhaps the Black Crowes have indeed mined the last gold from the creative vein for their brand of Southern rock. The eighth track, "Go Tell the Congregation," explores some new territory with its creative use of a gospel choir--but in the end, no album can float on two songs. Plenty of hardcore fans will like this album for its sheer rock sensibility, but ultimately it's just boring. There just isn't enough space for Side in any casual fan's music collection, especially considering how many interesting bands have arrived on the scene since '92--the last time the Black Crowes were actually cool. (Columbia)

--Adam de Havenon

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