Quantcast
Advertisement
 Email

 First Name

 Last Name

 Company

 Country
CAPTCHA code
Captcha: (type the characters above)

SPRINGTIME
FOR HITS LIST
Meet this week's ensemble cast. (3/18a)
NEAR TRUTHS: STREAMING AND STREAMLINING
Knight's new day (3/18a)
TOP 50: ARI BASKS
IN THE sunshine
The biggest bow of the year (3/15a)
THE COUNT: ROLLING LOUD KEEPS ITS EYES ON THE PRIZE
The latest from the live sector (3/14a)
DEEPER WELL MARKS KACEY MUSGRAVES’ “SATURN RETURN”
Gleason on Musgraves (3/18a)
THE NEW UMG
Gosh, we hope there are more press releases.
TIKTOK BANNED!
Unless the Senate manages to make this whole thing go away, that is.
THE NEW HUGE COUNTRY ACT
No, not that one.
TRUMP'S CAMPAIGN PLAYLIST
Now 100% unlicensed!
Critics' Choice
BLACK CROWES UNVEIL FIRST NEW SET IN 15 YEARS
1/12/24

As tipped here back in November, The Black Crowes will take flight again with their first new album in 15 years, Happiness Bastards, which is due 3/15 on their own Silver Arrow Records. Produced by country hitmaker Jay Joyce, the 10-track set is led by the strutting rocker "Wanting and Waiting," which is out at midnight ET (click here for a 30-second teaser).

The set is the follow-up to 2009's Before the Frost … Until the Freeze and sports a guest turn from Lainey Wilson on the song "Wilted Rose." Still led after 40 years by the brotherly tandem of Chris and Rich Robinson, the Crowes will embark on an extensive world tour in support, with dates to be announced.

"Happiness Bastards is our love letter to rock 'n' roll," declares Chris Robinson. "Rich and I are always writing and creating music. That has never stopped for us, and it is always where we find harmony together. This record represents that." Adds Rich, "Our years of experience writing and making music and touring the world are represented in this record, and we were brilliantly guided by one of the best producers in the business, Jay Joyce. I am incredibly proud of what we put together."

Ahead of the album release, the group, managed by Mark DiDia at Red Light, will visit the Pearl Concert Theatre at Palms in Las Vegas for one-off shows on 2/9-10. Will Mark finally be unveiling that long-rumored line of Crowes-branded hockey pucks? Stay tuned.

80 IS THE NEW 40 (LICKS)
10/25/23

By Bud Scoppa

No, Ronnie Wood and producer Andrew Watt haven’t wandered into a White Stripes photo shoot—they’re at Bravado’s RS No. 9 pop-up store in NYC, which opened on 10/19, just hours before the release of The Rolling StonesHackney Diamonds (Geffen).

The LP, by the way, is a gratifyingly fun listen, and the reviewers largely agree: It got a 79 score on Metacritic based on 17 reviews. These critiques range from crazily effusive (The Independent) to ridiculously off the mark (Pitchfork, of course), the latter of which is 4.5 times as laughable as the former.

"Back in the day, 'pop-up store' meant something a bit different," reminisced Wood to Watt. The rest of his comments were redacted, as this is a family publication.

For some even-handed perspective, read Uproxx critic Steven Hyden’s ranking of Diamonds in the context of The Stones’ “late period” albums, which is generally defined as the eight they’ve released since 1981’s Tattoo You. “What it means,” Hyden opines, “is that you’re looking for three things: Credibly insouciant vocals by Mick, some reasonably raucous guitar weaving from Keith and Ronnie, and the reliable backbeat of Charlie Watts (or, in lieu of Charlie, his capable replacement, Steve Jordan). Hackney Diamonds delivers on all three counts. It is a good late-period Stones record.”

We concur. Indeed, “Bite My Head Off” (featuring Paul McCartney on vicious fuzz bass), “Live by the Sword” (anchored by Charlie and Bill Wyman), “Mess It Up” (Charlie’s other appearance), rippling dual-guitar rocker “Get Close” and the ’70s-evoking big ballad “Depending on You” are all candidates for our year-end playlist, standing tall alongside Jason Isbell, The National, Jamila Woods, boygenius and Wilco. Did not see that coming.

SLY STONE'S QUEST FOR REDEMPTION
7/28/23

Sly Stone will release his first autobiography, Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin), on 10/17 via AUWA Books and MCD/FSG. It will be available on hardcover, e-book and audio. The release marks the inaugural title from AUWA Books, Questlove’s new publishing imprint.

"One of the few indisputable geniuses of pop music, Sly Stone is a trailblazer and a legend," the description reads. "He created a new kind of music, mixing Black and white, male and female, funk and rock. As a songwriter, he penned some of the most iconic anthems of the 1960s and ’70s, from 'Everyday People' to 'Family Affair.' As a performer, he electrified audiences with a persona and stage presence that set a lasting standard for pop-culture performance.

"Yet his life has also been a cautionary tale, known as much for how he dropped out of the spotlight as for what put him there in the first place. People know the music, but the man remains a mystery. In Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin), his much-anticipated memoir, he’s finally ready to share his story—a story that many thought he’d never have the chance to tell."

The Sly and the Family Stone namesake co-wrote Thank You alongside Ben Greenman and was created in collaboration with Arlene Hirschkowitz, while Questlove penned the foreword. The book follows the “wild ride of a once-in-a-century talent” through the ‘60s and ‘70s—from Sly’s humble beginnings to the heights of stardom, his struggle with addiction and ultimate triumph. It also promises to include all the “gritty details” leading up to his bittersweet return. We, on the other hand, will spare you ours. Pre-orders for Thank You are available here.