On Friday, January 9th, the Black Crowes announced that their newest record, A Pound of Feathers, will be released everywhere on March 13. The new record, released via Silver Arrow Records, is the first record from the band since the highly successful reunion album, Happiness Bastards. The new singles and record showcase the band’s roots while building on what’s left of their previous record.
“We made this record in eight to ten days,” says Chris Robinson. “Bringing the high and
inspiration from Happiness Bastards into this album, it was a natural progression. We
experimented more, we wrote on instinct, and how we were feeling in the moment. Rich brought
a spontaneity to the record that I can’t describe, but it’s the best shit he’s ever done.”
Profane Prophecy
This tune is the first of two releases by the band on Jan. 9. “Profane Prohecy” is the lead song off the brand new record. The tune, which has a run time of just over four minutes, is a great and powerful opening tune. There’s a great back and forth between guitarist Rich Robinson and Nico Bereciartua. Fans hear Bereciartua in one headphone and Rich Robinson in the other. Chris Robinson brings some aggressive and in-your-face vocals to top off the track. In his classic rap yet melodic lyrics, he gives an almost punk-like performance on this track. Fans can interpret the song as autobiographical about the band’s upbringing and start. Between Chris Robinson’s vocals and drummer, Cully Symington, pounding away on the drums, it creates an anthem-like tune.
“This album feels transformative to us,” Rich Robinson said. “Going back to our roots, we
felt that spark in the studio and how we work together. Lighting a fire that hits harder, more
jagged but is still true to our musical essence.”
Pharmacy Chronicles
This track appears as the third song on the record. The melodic tune takes a different approach than “Profane Prohecy” does. The lyrics – penned by the Robinson brothers – come across as more honest and straight from the heart. It steps away from the love song ballads that are on other records of theirs. I like the pace of this song, Symington keeps a steady beat that allows Rich Robinson and Bereciartua to help push the song forward while Chris Robinson’s lyrics. Throughout the tune, fans can hear Erik Deutsch pinging away on piano, which adds a lightheartned sound in the background. The solo on “Pharmacy Chronicles” is the best out of the two newest tunes.
Producer Jay Joyce captures the guitar sound perfectly on this song. The guitar is muffled and toned down to create a more chilling and watery sound. The sound the electric guitar produces adds a complex layer of sound to the track. This is all wrapped with Chris Robinson repeating “The good times never end.” Fans can most definitely interpret that as both brothers being in a better spot in life, this turnaround, and in this incorporation of the band. The repeating lyrics create a warm and chilling feeling that resonates with listeners, making them want to hear the rest of the record already.
With the band picking up where they left off with Happiness Bastards, the band is headed in the right direction. These two new songs are perfect eye openers into what is to come. Chris Robinson did tease that new music was coming in a video around the holidays. But who would have guessed that the music would come this soon and be this emotionally powerful? It’s a spectacular listen and creates a masterful waiting game between fan and band before the March 13 release date.
Rating: 9/10
Pre Order A Pound of Feathers HERE
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!
Photo Credit: Ross Halfin
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
About The Black Crowes
Founded by brothers Chris and Rich Robinson, The Black Crowes make music for the
mavericks, playing rock ‘n’ roll that’s hip-swinging and heavy, dirty and debonaire, bluesy and
ballsy, ecstatic and electrifying, and soulful and soaring. They don’t fall in line, and they never
cared to either. Instead, they’re right at home with the outsiders, the drifters, the lost souls, the
hustlers, and the hellraisers who inhabit timeless tunes like “She Talks To Angels,” “Hard To
Handle,” “Wiser Time,” “Twice As Hard,” and “Black Moon Creeping.” No matter where culture
went, the multiplatinum GRAMMY® Award-nominated group fearlessly charted their own
course, taking flight with the 5x-Platinum Shake Your Money Maker and never coming back
down. Their path twisted and turned from seminal records a la the 2x-Platinum Billboard 200 #1
LP The Southern Harmony And Musical Companion and Gold-certified follow-up Amorica to a
once-in-a-lifetime jaunt with Jimmy Page and accompanying Gold-certified live record: Live at
the Greek. The band’s lore expanded with the chart-shaking Warpaint and Before the
Frost…Until the Freeze. Another generation fell under their spell as they launched their biggest
headline tour yet to celebrate Shake Your Money Maker’s 30th birthday. They lit up the next
chapter with 2024’s Happiness Bastards—which garnered a GRAMMY® Award nod for Best
Rock Album. Between widespread critical praise, they even picked up a 2025 Rock and Roll
Hall of Fame® nomination. Rather than rest on their laurels, Chris and Rich wrote and recorded
their tenth full-length offering, A Pound of Feathers, in ten days. It’s the sound of
uncompromising, urgent, and undeniable rock ‘n’ roll. It’s the sound of unrepentant creative
spirits in harmony. It’s the sound of The Black Crowes.
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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.