It many respects this album is a turning point for The Black Crowes. For one, it's their first album since 2001's 'Lions' and it's their first studio album to be released on their independently owned record label. It also features new band members guitarist Luther Dickinson and keyboardist Adam MacDougall. As I type this review 'Warpaint' has jumped right into the US Billboard Top 10 so evidently their fan base is still loyal and music lovers are keen to listen to what the band has to say.

'Warpaint' bleeds the familiar Black Crowes traits: blues, soul, folk, acoustic and rock and roll. Influences such as Lynyrd Skynyrd are Jimmy Page flow through the opus like running water. Perhaps some of the songs are too mid-paced for fans of heavier blues rock but the more robust efforts like 'Goodbye Daughters Of The Revolution' and 'We Who See The Deep' are infectious; though it's an odd choice to finish the album with 'Whoa Mule,' which is a slow folk tune.

The Black Crowes are stepped in sixties and seventies classic rock and this album is no exception. The production is modern and some of the themes are probably still relevant to those living in Southern American states. Blues and folk fans will probably adore this album.

****

Review by Neil Daniels