amorica. (2 LP vinyl reissue)
American Recordings, 2026
REVIEW BY: Tom Haugen
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED: 04/27/2026
This third album from The Black Crowes is just over 30 years old now, and to celebrate, the Robinson brothers had it remastered from the original one-quarter inch production master tape, slapped three B-sides on it and put it on two slabs on vinyl.
“Gone” leads the 1994 release with dense guitars and playful drumming, before Chris Robinson’s soaring, unmistakable voice enters the Southern hard-rock climate. “A Conspiracy” follows with some funk and classic rock spirited ideas, and “High Head Blues” shifts into calmer blues territory thanks to Eddie Harsch’s well timed keys.
Moving further into the original album, “Nonfiction” recruits warm acoustic guitar and a poetic quality that’s more intimate, but it’s the gritty yet tuneful boogie rock of “She Gave Good Sunflower” that showcases Rich Robinson’s fierce guitar that’s worth the price of admission.
Deeper still, the powerful and lush “Ballad In Urgency” flirts with jam band nods, and “Wiser Time” brings some haze and coziness via Johnny Colt’s bass and Marc Ford’s skilled guitar. “Descending” exits the original with much focus on piano that suits the soulful singing and building rhythm section.
The bonus material includes a lively and groove-filled cover of Taj Mahal’s “Chevrolet” and the 2025 mixes of “Song Of The Flesh” and “Sunday Night Buttermilk Waltz.” The former is a pretty thick and meticulous rocker, and the latter is more acoustic focused.
Though I had listened to the first two albums from The Black Crowes when they came out, this one didn’t make it to my turntable. It might have been the cover art. There’s certainly a much more apparent affinity for the ’60s and ’70s than I recall this band having, and the really detailed guitar playing will resonate with anyone who likes rock from any era.