Warpaint (The Black Crowes album)

Infobox Album |
Name = Warpaint
Type = studio
Artist = The Black Crowes


Released = March 3, 2008
Recorded = July 2007 at Allaire Studios, Shokan, NY
Genre = Blues-rock, hard rock
Length = 53:44
Label = Silver Arrow
Producer = Paul Stacey
Reviews = * Allmusic rating|4.5|5 [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:j9fexzqjldhe 2008]
* "The A.V. Club" (B) [http://www.avclub.com/content/music/the_black_crowes 2008]
* "The Austin Chronicle" rating|3|4 [http://www.austinchronicle.com/gyrobase/Issue/review?oid=oid%3A606088 2008]
* "Billboard" [http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/content_display/reviews/albums/e3i064ef4c02067f0c8f1658f8ecb3a5097 2008]
* "The Gazette" rating|2.5|4 [http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/story.html?id=b1d8e231-b8fa-4501-8e6c-750da5a81d14 2008]
* "The Globe and Mail" rating|3|4Citation |last = Wheeler |first = Brad |title = The Globe Review; New Releases; Rock |newspaper = The Globe and Mail |pages = R3 |year = 2008 |date = 2008-03-25]
* "Paste" rating|4|5 [http://www.pastemagazine.com/action/article/6699/feature/music/a_guide_to_the_studio_recordings_of_the_black_crowes 2008]
* "Rolling Stone" rating|3.5|5 [http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/theblackcrowes/albums/album/18388090/review/18691966/warpaint 2008]
* "Toronto Sun" rating|3.5|5Citation |last = Sterdan |first = Darryl |title = Black Crowes' comeback worth a listen |newspaper = Toronto Sun |pages = 47 |year = 2008 |date = 2008-03-04]
* "Uncut" rating|3|5 [http://www.uncut.co.uk/music/black_crowes/reviews/11169 2008]
Last album = "Lions"
(2001)
This album = "Warpaint"
(2008)
Next album =
Misc = Singles
Name = Warpaint
Type = studio
Single 1 = Goodbye Daughters of the Revolution
Single 1 date = February 11, 2008
Single 2 = Wounded Bird
Single 2 date = June 2, 2008
Single 3 = Oh Josephine
Single 3 date = September 8, 2008

"Warpaint" is a 2008 album by blues-rock band The Black Crowes. Released on March 3, 2008, it is their first studio album in almost seven years, their first with new members Luther Dickinson and Adam MacDougall, as well as the first to be released on their own Silver Arrow Records label. Despite its predecessor selling more copies than "Warpaint," "Warpaint" debuted 15 spots higher in America.

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. (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 concerts in 2007.)

Though the band had debuted new songs sporadically in concert since reforming in 2005, none of them 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."cite news |last = Fricke |first = David |title = In the Studio: The Black Crowes |publisher = Rolling Stone |date = 2008-01-10 |url = http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2008/01/10/in-the-studio-the-black-crowes/ |accessdate = 2008-03-02] Rich Robinson wrote the music and would send CDs to Chris, who would add the lyrics and their melodies.cite journal |last = Cook |first = Dennis |title = The Black Crowes: Movin' on Down the Line |journal = State of Mind |issue = 26 |pages = 22–25 |publisher = State of Mind Music, LLC |location = Burlington, VT |year = 2008 |month = January/February |url = http://somdigital.epubxpress.com/som1 |accessdate = 2008-03-02]

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. cquote|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.|20|20|Rich Robinsoncite journal |last = DeCurtis |first = Anthony |title = Redemption Songs |journal = Relix |issue = |pages = 54–61, 89 |publisher = Relix LLC |location = New York, NY |year = 2008 |month = February/March]

According to Chris, so as not to lose "the dynamic of the group, the dynamic of music and the balance within that," the tracks with recorded live, with few overdubs.cite news |last = Cook |first = Dennis |title = The Black Crowes: Join The Jubilee |publisher = JamBase |date = 2008-02-21 |url = http://www.jambase.com/Articles/Story.aspx?storyID=13015 |accessdate = 2008-03-02] Only one take was necessary to capture "Evergreen", while "Whoa Mule" was recorded outdoors. The atmosphere and the band’s approach allowed the sessions to be completed in just three weeks.

Various band members have also 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."

Sven Pipien remarked, "The beauty of Luther is 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."

"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, [http://www.blackcrowes.com/Release_MAXIM.html] as no promotional copies of the album were 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,cite news |title = The Black Crowes Attack Maxim Mag Review |publisher = The Associated Press |date = 2008-02-22 |url = http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hHOAjk5E7X13mmzngI4wUdwCZZJQD8UVM8180 |accessdate = 2008-02-29] and preceded an exchange in which "Maxim" apologized to its readerscite news |title = Maxim Apologizes for Black Crowes Review |publisher = The Associated Press |date = 2008-02-26 |url = http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hHOAjk5E7X13mmzngI4wUdwCZZJQD8V24EO81 |accessdate = 2008-02-29] and The Black Crowes' management slammed the magazine's editors for not apologizing to the band. [http://www.blackcrowes.com/maxim_2.html] Black Crowes' manager Pete Angelus then followed up with an open letter to "Maxim" and its editorial director, James Kaminsky. [http://www.blackcrowes.com/OPEN_LETTER_TO_MAXIM.html]

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.cite news |last = Brown |first = August |title = Exclusive! Maxim's David Peisner speaks |publisher = Los Angeles Times |date = 2008-02-28 |url = http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-et-maxim28feb28,0,2506540.story |accessdate = 2008-03-18] With the magazine facing increased criticism over rating unheard albums,cite news |last = Iwasaki |first = Scott |title = Reviewer must listen to CD before critiquing |publisher = Deseret Morning News |date = 2008-02-29 | url = http://deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695257117,00.html | accessdate = 2008-02-29] including one by rapper Nas, Kaminsky promised that future previews will be labeled as such.cite news |title = Maxim: Whole reviewing mess a 'mistake' |publisher = The Associated Press |date = 2008-02-28 | url = http://edition.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/Music/02/28/music.blackcrowes.maxim.ap/index.html | accessdate = 2008-02-29]

Track listing

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

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

Bonus tracks

* "Here Comes Daylight" – 3:46
* "Hole in Your Soul" (Joe South) – 3:39

Vinyl versions of the album include 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, 4 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". No word on whether these will be included on future releases.

Personnel

* Chris Robinson – vocals, harmonica, percussioncite journal |last = Leslie |first = Jimmy |title = Retro Rejuvenation |journal = Guitar Player |volume = 42 |issue = 7 |pages = |date = July 2008 |issn = 0017-5463 |oclc = 1751642 |url = http://guitarplayer.com/article/retro-rejuvenation/jul-08/86501 |accessdate = 2008-07-30]
* Rich Robinson – guitars
* Luther Dickinson – guitar
* Steve Gorman – drums
* Adam MacDougall – keyboards
* Sven Pipien – bass guitar

Additional personnel

* Paul Stacey – twelve string guitar on "Whoa Mule"

Production

* Paul Stacey – producer, engineer, mixing
* Justin Kessler – Pro Tools operator, second engineer (studio)
* Matt Howe, Justin Lawson – Pro Tools operator, second engineer (mix)
* Pete Angelus – manager (Angelus Entertainment)
* Amy Finkle – manager (Angelus Entertainment, East Coast)
* Joshua Marc Levy – illustrations
* Matthew Mendenhall – photography
* Chris Robinson – collage

Charts

Album

ingles

Notes

References

*

External links

* [http://www.msopr.com/?q=node/3589 ‘Warpaint’ Song-By-Song Commentary by Chris Robinson]