“Happiness Bastards” – The Black Crowes

Album: Happiness Bastards

Artist: The Black Crowes

Year: 2024

Genre: Rock, Southern Rock

Grade: B-

After multiple break-ups, hiatuses, reunions and retirements, The Black Crowes are back with Happiness Bastards, their first studio LP of original material in 15 years. Founding brothers Chris and Rich Robinson, who are now backed by a cavalcade of session aces and touring members, give us all the hallmarks of the “classic” Black Crowes sound. But what that means in 2024 is largely the same as what it meant in 1994: Southern ripoff rock à la The Allman Brothers, The Rolling Stones, Faces, Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, ZZ Top, etc.

Then again, you have to commend the Crowes for carrying the torch, or at least not fumbling with the ashes. Through sheer longevity, they’ve become a kind of rock ‘n’ roll institution, never inventing anything new but hanging around long enough that their bluesy imitations are now an authentic part of their identity.

For those that miss the days when rock was rock and a guitar solo was a guitar solo, then Happiness Bastards can momentarily satisfy that thirst. Crunchy riffs abound on the Keith Richards-replica “Wanting and Waiting,” while “Rats and Clowns” has a solo that would make the ghosts of Lynyrd Skynyrd proud. Elsewhere, Lainey Wilson makes a guest appearance, and Chris Robinson’s conventionally clichéd lyrics (“rock ‘n’ roll has made a mess of you”) are delivered with the sloppy booziness they deserve.

Even though the songs and sounds all blend together, indistinguishable from what came before and what comes after, Happiness Bastards is solid dad music. And the concluding ballad, “Kindred Friend,” is a genuinely tender and soulful country-tinged grand finale.

However, if you really miss when rock was rock, then I’d suggest going straight to the source. Turn on 96.9 and relive the glory days. As far as revivals go, Hackney Diamonds this is not.

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