Crowes channel bluegrass sound

A year after releasing “Warpaint,” the Black Crowes have returned with their next collection of tunes “Before the Frost ...”. Much like “Warpaint,” this release shows the band letting its eclectic array of styles bleed through, mixing genres such as country, bluegrass and even disco into a rock base.

One of the better tracks is also one of the most unexpected, “I Ain’t Hiding.” Beginning with a disco bass line, “Hiding” vibes on the Rolling Stones, right down to the “doo doo doo” in falsetto.

This disco-rock number will definitely grow on you if given half a chance.

Other songs of note are the soft country and rock sounds of “Appaloosa,” and the peaceful acoustic “Last Place That Love Lives,” which brings the album to a solid close.
Fans of the Crowes are likely to be divided on this release, as it doesn’t sound like the band’s ’90s work.

There are fewer “rock” songs and more tracks inspired by bluegrass and country. While those genres help strengthen the band’s overall sound, they can sound somewhat bland at times.

Nonetheless, the fact that the Crowes are still around making decent music is a great thing.