Rocktober Album #6: The Black Crowes – The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion (1992)

Even though The Black Crowes were bounced in the first round of the Best Band of Our Generation bracket by Nirvana, they should not be overlooked.  When grunge was ruling the airwaves, The Black Crowes were busy making good, old fashioned, Stones-inspired rock and roll – and being successful at it.

The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion was the band's second album, and there was no sophomore slump.  The album reached number one on the Billboard charts, and became the first album ever to have four number one songs on Billboard's Mainstream Rock Tracks chart ("Hotel Illness," "Remedy," "Sting Me," and "Thorn in My Pride").  There is not a bad song on the album.  Pianos, organs, harmonicas, and female backup singers complement the soulful singing of Chris Robinson and guitars, drums, and bass that sound like rock and roll, not some despondent, flannel-clad Pacific Northwesterners telling you that life sucks.  Or, at least when they told you life sucks, it was in a blues-based manner. 

1.  "Sting Me"

The album starts off nicely.  "Sting Me" is a good, straightforward rock song with a solid riff, a lively organ, and some nice backing vocals.

2.  "Remedy"

"Remedy" is probably the most well-known song on the album, and it is a good one.  The backup singers stick out on this one.

3.  "Thorn in My Pride"

This one is a slow, soulful ballad that picks up with a great guitar solo in the middle, before slowing back down.  The song almost has a gospel revival feel to it.

4.  "Bad Luck Blue Eyes Goodbye"

Great song name.  This is another slower, bluesy song.

5.  "Sometimes Salvation"

Chris Robinson belts this song out like he's in jail or something.  The rest of the band provides a nice, blues-based backdrop.

6.  "Hotel Illness"

"This room smells like hotel illness."  What the hell does that mean?  Regardless, this song is another solid, blues-based rock and roll song with a nice harmonica that sneaks its way in throughout the song.

7.  "Black Moon Creeping"

This is my favorite song on the album.  It starts off with a badass harmonica and guitar riff.  The song has a nice gritty feel to it, like you should be listening to it in a swamp.  It also has an awesome title.

8.  "No Speak No Slave"

This is another one of those songs that seems like you should be listening to it in sweltering heat, somewhere in semirural Georgia.  It has a nice groove.  The intro builds with swirling guitars into a great riff and then Chris Robinson busts in with "Rooster crows at the break of dawn / A mother dies without her only son / A doctor laughs in the face of disease / I never once heard a preacher say please."  The song keeps building until it ends in a frenzy of guitars and screaming.

9.  "My Morning Song"

Another solid, soulful rock song, "My Morning Song" has a wicked slide guitar throughout.  I've always liked the chorus, sung mightily by Chris Robinson and the backup singers:  "March me down to the seven seas / Bury me with a ruby ring / Kiss me baby on an Easter Sunday day / Make my haze blow away."

10.  "Time Will Tell"

This is a slower, acoustic, almost a capella song.  The mantra is "Think you're in heaven / But you're livin' in hell."  Insert joke about the suburbs here.