After riding high off the success of their latest effort, Happiness Bastards, Chris and Rich Robinson of The Black Crowes jumped back in the studio to record their 10th album, A Pound Of Feathers. This record features 11 tunes that tap into all aspects and influences of the band’s career. Additionally, the 42-minute album packs a punch, showcasing the band’s range and depth of songwriting ideas.
The record kicks off with “Profane Prophecy.” This song was one of two tunes to be released as singles back on Jan. 9, 2026. There’s a nice contrast between Chris Robinson’s lyrics with Rich Robinson’s slide guitar. The contrast adds depth to the tune. Throughout the song, there’s a snarl and bite to the band. In comparison to Happiness Bastards, there’s more of a hunger and heaviness to the album. As mentioned in our previous review in January, this song can be interpreted as autobiographical of the band’s upcoming. To close up the song, the band does their classic call-and-response that carries the tune out to the end.
Track two, “Cruel Streak,” opens with muddy and dirty guitar riffs from Rich Robinson and Nico Bereciartua. It doesn’t take long before Chris Robinson jumps in with a hop-like lyric line that bounces into listeners’ ears. As the song progresses through the chorus, the entire bank kicks in to add layers and heft to the vocals. “Cruel Streak” is a nice contrast to “Profane Prophecy.” The latter shows a lighter side of the band that has a broader appeal, while “Cruel Streak” has more appeal to rock and roll fans who have an appetite for a rougher song. During this song, the band fades into the background to let light in for a mini guitar solo before the final chorus. Leading up to the final chorus, the band’s two female background singers harmonize perfectly to add more emotion and suspense before the ending.
“Pharmacy Chronicles” is song three on the album. This song was the other song to be released on Jan. 9. This song sees Rich Robinson and Bereciartua swap their electric guitars for acoustic guitars and slides. This song taps into the band’s southern upbringing. In comparison to the guitars, bassist Sven Pipien and drummer Cully Symington keep things steady and simple in the background. “Pharmacy Chronicles” is an easy listen too, that takes a step back from the “in-your-face” attitude that has been apparent thus far on the record.
“Do the Parasite!” appears as the fourth tune on the record. On this song, there’s a punk-like feel. Chris Robinson’s vocals sound like he’s right in front of you, belting out the lyrics to you. What rounds out this song perfectly is Symington finding pockets to hit the crash symbols and beat away on the drums to add a punch to the song. There’s an electric feel to the song that’s heard during some of Chris Robinson’s vocals and Rich Robinson’s solos. This sound isn’t introduced on other Crowes tunes, but it’s not necessarily a horrible avenue they explored. Keyboard Erik Deutsch peeks through the end of the tune, rattling away on two high notes on the piano as the song comes to a close.
The unique “High & Lonesome” follows “Do the Parasite!” The song starts out as a moody acoustic tune. While Rich Robinson and Bereciartua have catchy riffs, it’s Pipien’s basslines that catch the attention. While it’s very simple, there’s a marching quality to it that helps tug the song forward. As the song picks up, the march becomes more of a stroll and becomes the anchor to the tune. As the song progresses, the band introduces a violin that opens up their country roots. “High & Lonesome” is one of the brothers’ best-penned songs on the album – certainly in the top 3 best songs on the record. The band elects for an electric guitar solo before jumping back into the chorus as the song slowly slows down at the end.
The classic rock and roll returns for song seven, “It’s Like That.” This song is the third and final single to be released from the record before March 13. The band has a great feel on this song that brings massive amounts of energy and grooviness. Chris Robinson sings with an attitude and a “take no prisoners” mentality. This song will be played live this summer, as it should be. From a songwriting standpoint, it’s one of the brothers’ simpler approaches. But, on a record with complex storytelling, this straightforward song is needed.
By the time the listers are in the bottom portion of the album, they find “You Call This a Good Time?” The album moves along at a steady pace and doesn’t go through any drastic changes by the end of the song. What the Robinsons do so well as songwriters is that they’re able to paint vivid pictures in listeners’ heads. The band paints a picture of a trashed room with lipstick on the walls that’s littered with drugs and pills. If a songwriter can make the listeners see what they sing, they’ve done more than half of the battle right there.
On The Black Crowes newest effort, A Pound Of Feathers, they bring more of a snarl, hunger and attitude. This is very different from the emotions the band explored on Happiness Bastards. But that’s the beauty of A Pound Of Feathers. It’s the Ying & Yang, the light and dark of the two albums. Everything from the material on the albums to the cover art contrasts with each other. But on A Pound Of Feathers, the band appeals to a broad audience through roots deep in the rock, country and pop-rock communities. There’s a ton of great material on A Pound Of Feathers that solidifies the band as great songwriters and musicians. A Pound Of Feathers is out everywhere now.
Rating: 8/10
Tracklisting for A Pound of Feathers:
1. Profane Prophecy
2. Cruel Streak
3. Pharmacy Chronicles
4. Do the Parasite!
5. High & Lonesome
6. Queen of the B-Sides
7. It’s Like That
8. Blood Red Regrets
9. You Call This a Good Time?
10. Eros Blues
11. Doomsday Doggere!
The Black Crowes Are
Chris Robinson – Vocals
Rich Robinson – Guitars/Background vocals
Sven Pipien – Bass/Background vocals
Cully Symington – Drums
Nico Bereciartua – Guitars/Background vocals
Erik Deutsch – Keyboards
Mackenzie Adams – Backing Vocals
Lesley Grant – Backing Vocals
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My love for live music started with my first concert ever, Guns N’ Roses back in 2016. Since then, I’ve been able to capture photos of some amazing artists like Alice Cooper, Judas Priest, Ace Frehley, and Post Malone. I am based in the Boston, Massachusetts area. I am always looking for the next concert to attend.