Warpaint (The Black Crowes album)

Last updated
Warpaint
The Black Crowes - Warpaint.jpg
Studio album by
The Black Crowes
ReleasedMarch 3, 2008
RecordedJuly 2007
Studio Allaire, Shokan, New York
Genre Southern rock, blues rock, hard rock
Length53:44
Label Megaforce/Silver Arrow Records
Producer Paul Stacey
The Black Crowes chronology
Lions
(2001)		Warpaint
(2008)		 Before the Frost...Until the Freeze
(2009)
Singles from Warpaint
  1. "Goodbye Daughters of the Revolution"
    Released: February 11, 2008
  2. "Wounded Bird"
    Released: June 2, 2008
  3. "Oh Josephine"
    Released: September 8, 2008
Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic (74/100) [1]
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svg [2]
The A.V. Club B [3] [1]
The Austin Chronicle Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [4]
The Gazette Star full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [5]
The Globe and Mail Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [6]
Paste Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [7]
Robert Christgau Rating-Christgau-dud.svg [8]
Rolling Stone Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [9]
Toronto Sun Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [10]
Uncut Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [11]

Warpaint is the seventh studio album by American rock band The Black Crowes. Released on March 3, 2008, it was the band's seventh studio album and first studio album in almost seven years, and its first with new members Luther Dickinson and Adam MacDougall, as well as the first to be released on the band's own Silver Arrow Records label. Despite its predecessor, Lions , selling more copies, Warpaint debuted 15 spots higher in the United States, at number five.

Contents

Writing and production

Following the departures of Marc Ford and Eddie Harsch in September 2006, The Black Crowes enlisted Paul Stacey and Rob Clores to handle lead guitar and keyboard duties, respectively. Adam MacDougall replaced Clores just before the Warpaint sessions began, and Paul Stacey returned to the producer’s chair with the hiring of Luther Dickinson of North Mississippi Allstars to play guitar. (Aside from a couple of appearances in September, Dickinson didn’t join the band on the road until the release of Warpaint, leaving Stacey to play the remainder of their 2007 concerts.)

Though the band had debuted new songs sporadically live since reforming in 2005, none were included on Warpaint, with only the intro of "Movin’ On Down the Line" having been performed for a live audience (as part of a jam in the middle of "Soul Singing"). It was a conscious decision to leave the road-tested songs behind; as Chris Robinson told Rolling Stone , "I wanted to show people where we are now." [12] Rich Robinson wrote the music and would send CDs to Chris, who would add the lyrics and their melodies. [13]

In July 2007, the band gathered at Allaire Studios in the Catskill Mountains of Upstate New York to record, finding that the remote setting contributed to the relative ease of recording.

"When we got into the studio, it just flowed so easily. We were on top of this mountain, and we were all living in the same place. There were no city distractions or people coming by. We were up there to work. A lot of that made it onto the record. Nature—and harmony."

— Rich Robinson [14]

According to Chris, so as not to lose "the dynamic of the group, the dynamic of music and the balance within that," the tracks were recorded live, with few overdubs. [15] Only one take was necessary to capture "Evergreen," while "Whoa, Mule" was recorded outdoors. [12] The atmosphere and the band’s approach allowed the sessions to be completed in just three weeks. [13]

Various band members have spoken about the contributions of Dickinson and MacDougall. "Sometimes when new people come in it brings so many positive changes," said Rich. "Adam came in and tried out and everyone was impressed, but when we got into the studio everyone's jaws dropped." [15]

Sven Pipien remarked, "The beauty of Luther, more than any note he's playing is the feeling behind that note. He was saying exactly what we want to say, and the same thing goes for Adam. Eddie [Harsch] is not the easiest guy to replace but Adam is his own man AND he fills those shoes really well." [15]

Maxim review controversy

A review of Warpaint published by Maxim in its March 2008 issue prompted The Black Crowes' management to issue a press release denouncing the publication, [16] as no promotional copies of the album had been distributed, meaning only the single edit of "Goodbye Daughters of the Revolution" could have been heard before the review was written. The story was picked up by the Associated Press, [17] and preceded an exchange in which Maxim apologized to its readers [18] and The Black Crowes' management slammed the magazine's editors for not apologizing to the band. [19] Black Crowes' manager Pete Angelus then followed up with an open letter to Maxim and its editorial director, James Kaminsky. [20]

The writer of the review, David Peisner, claimed in an interview with the Los Angeles Times that he had been assigned to write a preview of the album, and that his writing had been presented by Maxim as if it were a full review. [21] With the magazine facing increased criticism over rating unheard albums, [22] including one by rapper Nas, Kaminsky promised that future previews will be labeled as such. [23]

Track listing

All songs written by Chris Robinson and Rich Robinson, except where noted.

  1. "Goodbye Daughters of the Revolution" – 5:03
  2. "Walk Believer Walk" – 4:39
  3. "Oh Josephine" – 6:38
  4. "Evergreen" – 4:20
  5. "Wee Who See the Deep" – 4:50
  6. "Locust Street" – 4:14
  7. "Movin' On Down the Line" – 5:42
  8. "Wounded Bird" – 4:23
  9. "God's Got It" (Rev. Charlie Jackson) – 3:22
  10. "There's Gold in Them Hills" – 4:47
  11. "Whoa Mule" – 5:45

Bonus tracks

The picture disc vinyl version of the album includes a bonus 7" disc with "Here Comes Daylight" and "Hole in Your Soul". These tracks are bundled with the iTunes version of the album, as well, though "Hole in Your Soul" was only available if pre-ordered.

According to Crowesbase.com, the band's official archives website, four other songs were recorded, and they were titled, "Movin' On" (different from "Movin' On Down the Line"), "Ready For Rain," "Natural Born Turn It On" and "Share My Blanket."

Personnel

The Black Crowes

Additional musicians

Technical personnel

Charts

Chart (2008)Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA) [25] 70
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders) [26] 78
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia) [27] 71
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100) [28] 24
French Albums (SNEP) [29] 96
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100) [30] 74
Scottish Albums (OCC) [31] 40
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan) [32] 50
UK Albums (OCC) [33] 52
US Billboard 200 [34] 5

Notes

  1. 1 2 "Critic Reviews for Warpaint". Metacritic . Retrieved 27 January 2013.
  2. ↑ Warpaint at AllMusic
  3. ↑ Hyden, Steven (17 March 2008). "The Black Crowes: Warpaint". The A.V. Club . Archived from the original on October 25, 2012. Retrieved 27 January 2013.
  4. ↑ Hoffberger, Chase (28 March 2008). "The Black Crowes: Warpaint". The Austin Chronicle . Retrieved 27 January 2013.
  5. ↑ Zivitz, Jordan (5 March 2008). "Capsule CD reviews (The Black Crowes: Warpaint)". The Gazette . Archived from the original on 9 March 2008. Retrieved 20 August 2011.
  6. ↑ Wheeler, Brad (2008-03-25). "The Globe Review; New Releases; Rock". The Globe and Mail. pp. R3.
  7. ↑ Labate, Steve (29 February 2008). "The Black Crowes: A Guide to the Studio Recordings :: Music :: Features". Paste . Retrieved 20 August 2011.
  8. ↑ Christgau, Robert. "CG: The Black Crowes". RobertChristgau.com. Retrieved 27 January 2013.
  9. ↑ Light, Alan (6 March 2008). "Warpaint". Rolling Stone . Retrieved 20 August 2011.
  10. ↑ Sterdan, Darryl (2008-03-04). "Black Crowes' comeback worth a listen". Toronto Sun. p. 47.
  11. ↑ Mueller, Andrew. "The Black Crowes - Warpaint". Uncut . Archived from the original on 11 October 2008. Retrieved 20 August 2011.
  12. 1 2 Fricke, David (2008-01-10). "In the Studio: The Black Crowes". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on January 12, 2008. Retrieved 2008-03-02.
  13. 1 2 Cook, Dennis (January–February 2008). "The Black Crowes: Movin' on Down the Line". State of Mind (26). Burlington, VT: State of Mind Music, LLC: 22–25. Archived from the original on 2008-03-03. Retrieved 2008-03-02.
  14. ↑ DeCurtis, Anthony (February–March 2008). "Redemption Songs". Relix. New York, NY: Relix LLC: 54–61, 89.
  15. 1 2 3 Cook, Dennis (2008-02-21). "The Black Crowes: Join The Jubilee". JamBase. Retrieved 2008-03-02.
  16. ↑ "Magazine Reviews Album Without Hearing It". Archived from the original on 2008-02-25. Retrieved 2008-02-23.
  17. ↑ "The Black Crowes Attack Maxim Mag Review". The Associated Press. 2008-02-22. Archived from the original on February 26, 2008. Retrieved 2008-02-29.
  18. ↑ "Maxim Apologizes for Black Crowes Review". The Associated Press. 2008-02-26. Retrieved 2008-02-29.[ dead link ]
  19. ↑ "For Immediate Release". Archived from the original on 2008-03-01. Retrieved 2008-03-01.
  20. ↑ "An Open Letter to Maxim and Kaminsky". Archived from the original on 2008-03-08. Retrieved 2008-03-01.
  21. ↑ Brown, August (2008-02-28). "Exclusive! Maxim's David Peisner speaks". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 2008-03-02. Retrieved 2008-03-18.
  22. ↑ Iwasaki, Scott (2008-02-29). "Reviewer must listen to CD before critiquing". Deseret Morning News. Archived from the original on March 11, 2008. Retrieved 2008-02-29.
  23. ↑ "Maxim: Whole reviewing mess a 'mistake'". The Associated Press. 2008-02-28. Archived from the original on 2008-03-03. Retrieved 2008-02-29.
  24. 1 2 Leslie, Jimmy (July 2008). "Retro Rejuvenation". Guitar Player. 42 (7). ISSN   0017-5463. OCLC   1751642. Archived from the original on 2009-01-14. Retrieved 2008-07-30.
  25. ↑ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 31.
  26. ↑ "Ultratop.be – The Black Crowes – Warpaint" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 2021-11-20.
  27. ↑ "Ultratop.be – The Black Crowes – Warpaint" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved 2021-11-20.
  28. ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – The Black Crowes – Warpaint" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 2021-11-20.
  29. ↑ "Lescharts.com – The Black Crowes – Warpaint". Hung Medien. Retrieved 2021-11-20.
  30. ↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – The Black Crowes – Warpaint" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 2021-11-20.
  31. ↑ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2021-11-20.
  32. ↑ "The Official Swedish Charts — Albums - 13.03.2008". Grammofon Leverantörernas Förening. 2008-03-13. Retrieved 2008-03-13.
  33. ↑ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2021-11-20.
  34. ↑ Hasty, Katie (2008-03-12). "Alan Jackson Bests Janet To Top Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved 2008-03-12.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Black Crowes</span> American rock band

The Black Crowes are an American rock band formed in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1984. Their discography includes nine studio albums, four live albums and several charting singles. The band was signed to Def American Recordings in 1989 by producer George Drakoulias and released their debut album, Shake Your Money Maker, the following year. Their follow-up, The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion, reached the top of the Billboard 200 in 1992. The albums Amorica (1994), Three Snakes and One Charm (1996), By Your Side (1999), and Lions (2001) followed, with each showing moderate popularity but failing to capture the chart successes of the band's first two albums. After a hiatus from 2002 to 2005, the band regrouped and toured for several years before releasing Warpaint in 2008, which reached number 5 on the Billboard chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Robinson (singer)</span> American musician

Christopher Mark Robinson is an American musician. He founded the rock band The Black Crowes, then known as Mr. Crowe's Garden, with his brother Rich Robinson in 1984. Chris is the lead singer of The Black Crowes, and he and his brother are the only continuous members of the Crowes. He was the vocalist and rhythm guitarist for the Chris Robinson Brotherhood, which toured and recorded from 2011 through 2019. The band broke up after the death of guitarist, Neal Casal, and the Crowes’ return from hiatus, respectively. Robinson is noted for his high tenor vocal range and bluesy vocal runs.

<i>Amorica</i> 1994 studio album by The Black Crowes

Amorica is the third studio album by U.S. rock band The Black Crowes. Spawned from the band's unreleased Tall album sessions, Amorica was released on November 1, 1994, on American Recordings. Amorica reached gold status in the United States, shipping 500,000 copies.

<i>Shake Your Money Maker</i> (album) 1990 studio album by the Black Crowes

Shake Your Money Maker is the debut studio album by American rock band the Black Crowes, released on February 13, 1990, on Def American Recordings. It is the only album by the band to feature guitarist Jeff Cease. The album is named after a classic blues song written by Elmore James. The Black Crowes have played the song live many times over the years, but it is not included on this album.

<i>The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion</i> 1992 studio album by The Black Crowes

The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion is the second studio album by American rock band the Black Crowes, released on May 12, 1992. It was the first album by the band to feature Marc Ford on lead guitar, replacing Jeff Cease, who was fired the year before, and the first to feature keyboardist Eddie Harsch. The album's name derives from the full name of the Southern Harmony, an influential 1835 hymnal compiled by William Walker.

<i>Three Snakes and One Charm</i> 1996 studio album by The Black Crowes

Three Snakes and One Charm is the fourth studio album by American rock band The Black Crowes. It was released on July 23, 1996, and is their final release on American Recordings.

<i>Lions</i> (album) 2001 studio album by the Black Crowes

Lions is the sixth studio album by American rock band the Black Crowes. It was released in 2001 as their first album on V2 Records following their departure from Columbia, and is their only studio album to feature guitarist Audley Freed. Lions was recorded in New York City in January and February of that year, and was produced by Don Was. Bass guitar duties were shared by Rich Robinson and Was, as Greg Rzab had left the band and was not replaced until the tour that followed the release of the album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rich Robinson</span> American rock musician

Richard Spencer Robinson is an American musician and founding member of the rock and roll band the Black Crowes. Along with older brother Chris Robinson, Rich formed the band in 1984 while the two were attending Walton High School in Marietta, Georgia. At age 15, Rich wrote the music for "She Talks to Angels", which became one of the band's biggest hits.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Luther Dickinson</span> American guitarist and singer

Luther Andrews Dickinson is the lead guitarist and vocalist for the North Mississippi Allstars and the son of record producer Jim Dickinson. He is also known for being a guitarist for The Black Crowes. He hosts Guitar Xpress on the Video on Demand network Mag Rack.

<i>Live</i> (The Black Crowes album) 2002 live album by The Black Crowes

Live is a live album by The Black Crowes, released on August 20, 2002. It was produced by Rich Robinson and recorded at the Orpheum in Boston, MA on October 30 & 31, 2001.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paul Stacey</span> British guitarist and producer (born 1963)

Paul Stacey is a British guitarist and producer, best known for his work with Oasis, Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds, Steven Wilson, and the Black Crowes.

<i>Greatest Hits 1990–1999: A Tribute to a Work in Progress...</i> 2000 compilation album by The Black Crowes

Greatest Hits 1990–1999: A Tribute to a Work in Progress... is a compilation album by American rock band The Black Crowes, released June 20, 2000, by American Recordings & Columbia Records. It features material from all of their studio albums up to that point, and reached #143 on the Billboard 200.

<i>Warpaint Live</i> 2009 live album by The Black Crowes

Warpaint Live is a live album by American southern rock band The Black Crowes, released on April 28, 2009. This is the first Black Crowes live album since Freak 'n' Roll in 2006 and it features live versions of the whole Warpaint album. Recorded live on March 20, 2008 at The Wiltern in Los Angeles, CA. The double CD precedes the release of the live concert DVD later in 2009.

<i>Before the Frost...Until the Freeze</i> 2009 studio album by The Black Crowes

Before the Frost...Until the Freeze is the eighth studio album by American rock band The Black Crowes. It was recorded before a live audience at Levon Helm's Woodstock, New York, studio, The Barn, in late February and early March, 2009. The album was produced by longtime band collaborator Paul Stacey and released on Silver Arrow Records. The CD itself is designed to have the appearance of a vinyl record. Originally, only the Before the Frost portion of the double album was available on CD, and the CD purchase came with a code allowing download of the Until the Freeze portion from the Black Crowes website. A vinyl version was also released, featuring all the same songs but in a different running order. Before the Frost...Until the Freeze is the band's last album of original material to feature longtime drummer Steve Gorman, guitarist Luther Dickinson and keyboardist Adam MacDougall.

<i>Truth & Salvage Co.</i> (album) 2010 studio album by Truth & Salvage Co.

Truth & Salvage Co. is the 2010 debut album by rock band Truth & Salvage Co. It features the single, "Call Back."

<i>Croweology</i> 2010 studio album by The Black Crowes

Croweology is an acoustic-based album by American rock band The Black Crowes, released on August 3, 2010. The set includes newly recorded versions of nineteen songs from the band's career, covering their albums from Shake Your Money Maker to Lions, plus a cover of the Chris Ethridge and Gram Parsons song "She", in mostly-acoustic arrangements. Critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine stated the Crowes capture "the sound of seasoned veterans still finding new ways to play old favorites" and the double album is "a generous, entertaining gift to the fans who have stayed true throughout the years". This would be the last recorded album to feature lead guitarist, Luther Dickinson. Croweology was the last studio record released by the band before their hiatus lasting from 2013 to 2020.

<i>The Magic Door</i> (album) 2012 studio album by Chris Robinson Brotherhood

The Magic Door is the second studio album by American blues rock band Chris Robinson Brotherhood, released on September 11, 2012. It was recorded at the same time as the band's previous album, Big Moon Ritual, and features a cover of Hank Ballard's "Let's Go, Let's Go, Let's Go," a song the band frequently performed live. "Appaloosa" and "Little Lizzie Mae" are versions of recent Black Crowes songs, and "Someday Past the Sunset" was previously released on the Robinson brothers' live album, Brothers of a Feather: Live at the Roxy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Robinson Brotherhood</span> American blues rock band

Chris Robinson Brotherhood was an American blues rock band formed in 2011 by Black Crowes singer Chris Robinson while the Crowes were on hiatus. The original lineup consisted of Robinson, Neal Casal, Mark Dutton, George Sluppick (drums), and Adam MacDougall (keyboards). Since 2015, the band had undergone various personnel changes with Robinson and Casal remaining the only constant members. Following the death of Neal Casal in August 2019, the Chris Robinson Brotherhood announced it would disband.

<i>Wiser for the Time</i> 2013 live album by the Black Crowes

Wiser for the Time is the fifth live album by American southern rock band the Black Crowes, released on March 18, 2013. This marks their return from hiatus and is the first Black Crowes live album since Warpaint Live in 2009. Recorded during a five-night run in New York City (NYC) in their supporting tour for the 2010 album Croweology and released as vinyl or download. It includes live recordings from the band's 2010 NYC performances and four covers: "Hot Burrito #1" and "Hot Burrito #2" from The Flying Burrito Brothers, Little Feat's "Willin'" and Bob Dylan's "Tonight I'll Be Staying Here with You".

References


This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.