Life is Music™

March 24th, 2009 finally came and with it Portland, Oregon’s The Decemberists released their fifth full length album entitled The Hazards of Love.  The album was released a week earlier on iTunes and is their second full-length album on Capital Records after 2006’s The Crane Wife.   The Hazards of Love is a rock opera tale of a woman named Margaret, her lover William, an evil forest queen and an immoral rake.  As if you all didn’t see this one coming…

A while back singer/songwriter, Colin Meloy, acquired a copy of folk vocalist Anne Briggs’s 1966 EP, titled The Hazards of Love and thought he’d write a song of the same title.  What came out of it was this 17 track album that demands your attention with narrative both deep and dark, filled with many moments of heavy wailing behind Meloy’s nasally croon.  It’s a highly ambitious piece of work to say the least, especially considering The Decemberists’ move to a major label before the release of The Crane Wife.

The plot gets started with track #2, “The Hazards Of Love 1 (The Prettiest Whistles Won’t Wrestle the Thistles Undone)” setting the main recurring theme (both lyrically and musically).  From there it bounces over high peaks and through deep valleys oftentimes showcasing a more progressive and hard-rocking side of The Decemberists than their previous efforts ever displayed.  Song #4, “Won’t Want For Love (Margaret In The Taiga)”, is beautifully sung by Lavender Diamond’s Becky Stark.  “The Wanting Comes In Waves / Repaid” is track #8 and is a standout of the album if there are any.  The back and forth conversation of William as sung by Colin Meloy, and the Queen as sung by My Brightest Diamond’s, Shara Worden, works terrifically as the music ebbs and flows in support.  Guitarist, Chris Funk, displays some real chops on this one.

Shara Worden is back as the Queen for track #12 titled, “The Queen’s Rebuke / The Crossing”.  Once again behind the Queen’s howl the music is heavy and filled with wonderful organ stylings by Jenny Conlee that blends into the muff-heavy sound of Chris Funk.  #13 is “Annan Water” and sounds like The Decemberists have been known to sound with Meloy’s strumming acoustic guitar balancing his vocals.  Track #15 brings back “The Hazards of Love” for the third time, and this time sung by children.  The song swings in 6/4 and is a nice addition to the album.  It works directly into  ”The Wanting Comes In Waves” (Reprise) which grinds to dust leaving the finale “The Hazards Of Love 4 (The Drowned)” in its wake with Meloy ending the record in a beautiful lullaby in front of a warm and ringing lap-steel guitar.

The Hazards of Love is a challenge that requires time to appreciate and will undoubtedly cause many to groan.  Colin Meloy and gang have something to be proud of here though, as it’s obvious their musical compositions are growing greatly along with their distinctive sound and The Hazards of Love is a true work of art.  It’s no easy chore working through this album that at times can be overwhelming but in the end many should find it is worth the endeavor.  Taken from beginning to end, The Hazards of Love is something special and unique that real music fans should be thankful for in a time when records like these are rarely fashioned.  And to all of those sniffling indie kids who were worried The Decemberists would sell-out with some major-label success behind them, put on your headphones and rest your weary eyes as these hazards of love never more will trouble us.

The Hazards of Love

1. “Prelude” – 3:04
2. “The Hazards of Love 1 (The Prettiest Whistles Won’t Wrestle the Thistles Undone)” – 4:19
3. “A Bower Scene” – 2:09
4. “Won’t Want for Love (Margaret in the Taiga)” – 4:07
5. “The Hazards of Love 2 (Wager All)” – 4:26
6. “The Queen’s Approach” – 0:29
7. “Isn’t It a Lovely Night?” – 3:39
8. “The Wanting Comes in Waves/Repaid” – 6:27
9. “An Interlude” – 1:40
10. “The Rake’s Song” – 3:16
11. “The Abduction of Margaret” – 2:07
12. “The Queen’s Rebuke/The Crossing” – 3:56
13. “Annan Water” – 5:12
14. “Margaret in Captivity” – 3:08
15. “The Hazards of Love 3 (Revenge!)” – 3:22
16. “The Wanting Comes in Waves (Reprise)” – 1:31
17. “The Hazards of Love 4 (The Drowned)” – 5:57

The Black Crowes

Here at Life is Music™ I am going to continue ranking albums from some of my favorite bands and musicians of the past.  “The Most Rock & Roll Rock & Roll Band in the World”, The Black Crowes, are up next and rightfully so.  Chris and Rich Robinson have been soul singing since the late 1980’s with their own brand of bluesy soul flavored rock and they’ve influenced me deeply along the way.  After several changes of the guards, they are still at it today and touring as heavily as ever.

1. Amorica – I’ve seen the polls and read all the reviews that say The Black Crowes second album, The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion, is their best.  Well I ain’t buying it!  Their third album Amorica is sex, drugs and rock-n-roll at its very finest.  Amorica, released in 1994 is so raw that even the original cover that depicted an American flag bikini being ever too small was like a big middle finger to the establishment.  Of course the original cover was quickly censored, but the true artistic beauty lies within the music.  This entire album is loaded with fan-favorites and the songs “Cursed Diamond”, “Nonfiction”, “She Gave Good Sunflower” and “Wiser Time” are some of mine.  The Black Crowes always did things their way and just like the band, Amorica makes no excuses whatsoever.  That I respect greatly.
2. The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion – This, the Crowes’ second album was released in 1992 as the follow-up to their hit debut, Shake Your Money Maker.  The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion is vintage Black Crowes and a true masterpiece.  Upon its release it went straight to #1 on Billboard’s top 200 albums and subsequently produced four #1 hits (“Remedy”, “Sting Me”, “Thorn in My Pride”, “Hotel Illness”) which is a record for rock albums.  Southern Harmony was the first album showcasing the amazing Marc Ford on guitar who took over for Jeff Cease.  With the “High as the Moon” tour following its release, The Black Crowes added keyboardist Eddie Harsch therefore creating one of the best rock-n-roll bands in music history.  Live powerhouse tunes, “My Morning Song”, “No Speak, No Slave” and “Black Moon Creeping” are featured on this must-have album.
3. Shake Your Money Maker - In January of 1990 The Black Crowes released their debut album on Rick Rubin’s Def American Records label.  Rubin signed the promising young band to what the Crowes’ manager, Pete Angeles, later described as “the worst contract in the history of music”.  Rick Rubin essentially reaped every reward the album produced.  With Angeles finally on board, the band was later able to renegotiate.  Through all of this Shake Your Money Maker did not suffer and immediately was received as a multi-platinum hit album with help of commercial favorites, “She Talks To Angels”, “Hard to Handle”, and “Twice as Hard”.  “Seeing Things” is the true gem of this album though.
4. Before the Frost – Read my review of this album here.  I added Before the Frost to this list after it was released.
5. Three Snakes & One Charm – If Amorica was the album The Black Crowes made while stumbling high through psychedelic land (need proof?), Three Snakes & One Charm is the morning after when they woke up.  This album is stripped down, less aggressive and is loaded with plenty of jammy influence.  Overall the album did not recieve much commercial success despite the singles, “Good Friday” and “Blackberry” and many may not find this album very accessible.  It’s a good album though with the Crowes’ ultimate lineup still in tact and it produced some beautiful tunes like “Girl From A Pawnshop”, “Evil Eye” and “One Mirror Too Many”.  After The Black Crowes’ role in 1997’s Further Fest, the lineup unfortunately parted ways with the departure of Marc Ford on guitar and Johnny Colt on bass.  The band was never again the same.
6. Warpaint – Seven long years after the release of the 2001 album Lions, The Black Crowes put out their most recent album Warpaint in March of 2008.  Warpaint points the band in an entirely new direction compared to their previous efforts and showcases their early country and 70’s folk-rock influences.  With the first few listens I was quite disappointed but the more I listen the more I realize this is a nice album, especially taken for what it is and not comparing it to their other albums.  Luther Dickenson of the North Mississippi Allstars joined the band for this effort lending his resonant slide guitar sound.  Longtime keyboardist, Eddie Harsch, was given the boot before the album was released and was replaced by Adam MacDougall.  Tracks “Goodbye Daughters of the Revolution”, “Walk Believer Walk”, “Evergreen” and “Locust Street” are definite standout tracks.  Warpaint was released on The Black Crowes own label Silver Arrow Records and upon its release the band embarked on another huge tour crossing all points of the US.
7. Lions – Lions was released on Richard Branson’s V2 Records on May 7th, 2001 after the Crowes departed from Columbia Records due to promotional issues with the release of By Your Side.  This album featured guitarist Audley Freed for the first time who joined the band on the By Your Side tour.  And while Freed is an accomplished guitarist, he is no Marc Ford by any means.  Before the recording of Lions, The Black Crowes backed Led Zeppelin guitar god, Jimmy Page, on a short tour playing all Zeppelin tunes.  That, and singer Chris Robinson’s new relationship with actress Kate Hudson directly influenced the sound of Lions which was critically acclaimed as being a 70’s rock ripoff with lack of invention.  “Cosmic Friend” is a psychedelic ride, and “Lay It All On Me” are good tracks but overall this album lacks some serious standouts.
8. By Your Side - Released in 1999 after the split of Marc Ford and Johnny Colt, By Your Side was an album made with a dull edge, a bit of glam, and a lot of radio-friendliness.  Overall, many critics enjoyed the album due to its straightforward nature similar to the sound and production of their debut Shake Your Money Maker, but I for one disagree, especially in comparison to their previous classics The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion and Amorica. Kevin Shirley produced the album and pushed the Crowes out of their element with a strict recording schedule that eliminated long nights and weekends and it shows through on the album which is as polished as a chrome bumper.  Rich Robinson played every guitar track on this album.  With exception of the awesome rocker “Horsehead”, By Your Side was far too clean for my liking, especially coming from a band who could get as down and dirty as The Black Crowes.

Singer & guitarist, Dan Auerbach, whose resume also bolsters that he’s one-half of the famous power duo, The Black Keys, paid Minneapolis, MN a visit on Saturday March 7th.  First Avenue was slow to fill but by the time Auerbach was onstage the place was packed to near-capacity.  Those Darlins, a foursome led by a trio of young women from Murfreesboro, TN opened up the show with a simple unassuming set of country tinged honky-tonk.  Their spirit was in the right place but their tunes didn’t seem ready for the confines of First Avenue and unfortunately I couldn’t wait for their set to end.

Dan Auerbach’s backing band, Hacienda, was up next and these guys were impressive.  Hacienda is a Mexican-American quartet made up of three brothers and a cousin who hail from San Antonio, TX with their sound equally Texan, mixing a raw yet tight 1960’s pop rock-n-roll vibe with gorgeous harmonies.  This was their first show in Minnesota and they appeared to be having quite a time, and the crowd was equally happy to accomodate as the band worked through a great set of tunes.

Dan Auerbach took the stage at 8:45 and by this time a diverse and respectful crowd had finally packed the room.  Hacienda returned to their respective places onstage with an additional percussionist/drummer stepping out behind Auerbach.  This guy looked all too familiar but the opening song “Trouble Weighs a Ton” had dark backlighting and it was hard to decipher who he was.  When the lights kicked in for “I Want Some More”, the second song in the set I immediately recognized the man.  Minneapolis was graced with the presense of My Morning Jacket’s very own Patrick Hallahan and there he was shaking maracas and bouncing to the beat with his recognizable hair flailing.  Hallahan divided his time between the small percussion setup and an additional trap set and this was a great surprise since I hadn’t been following the tour and had no knowledge that he was backing Auerbach.

For the next 80 minutes Auerbach ripped through rockers and soft heartfelt blues numbers alike with his strong voice and guitar never failing.  I saw the Black Keys two years ago at this very same venue and can only think of where they could go with some keys and a bassist.  Auerbach’s performace was utterly amazing at times, and the addition of the backing band, Hacienda, only made the show stronger and more lively. 

When all was said and done I don’t think a person could have left that room without stating they witnessed a very impressive performance.  Although I’m not a huge fan of The Black Keys, I will highly recommend to anyone who likes old school blues-rock that they check out Dan Auerbach when he comes around.  If he’s not coming to your town anytime soon, go out and buy his recently released solo debut Keep It Hid.  It’s truly a great piece of work by a man whose sound is wise beyond the years.

Saturday, March 7th, 2009
Trouble Weighs A Ton
I Want Some More
The Prowl
When I Left The Room
My Last Mistake
Mean Monsoon
Oh Carol
Real Desire
Money And Trouble
Street Walkin’
When The Night Comes
Whispered Words
Heartbroken, In Disrepair
Keep It Hid
Inside Lookin Out
encore:
Goin’ Home
Hidden Charms

Dan Auerbach