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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed albums.
Before the Frost...
Generally favorable reviews
Based on 10 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 15 votes
Read user comments
Rate this album >
Album Info
Label: Silver Arrow/Megaforce
Release Date: 01 September 2009
Discs: 1 disc
Genre(s): Rock
Summary
The latest album for the rock band was recorded live at Levon Helm's barn. The CD comes with a code to download "Until The Freeze," which contains a second set of songs.
Also By This Artist: Lions Warpaint
Also On The Web: Official Artist Site
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
All Music Guide
No longer young upstarts, they wear their years proudly on this terrific album, sounding like the veteran roadhounds they've always aspired to be.
Read Full Review >Paste Magazine
Frost captures the best aspects of one of rock’s finest eras: a balance of structured songwriting and loose grooves, catchy choruses and meandering solos, hard rocking songs and easy-going attitude.
Read Full Review >Mojo
Two fine records without a duff track between them. [Oct 2009, p.98]
PopMatters
As steeped in traditions as the Crowes have always been, drawing heavily from the heydays of classic rock and Americana history, the band has, after 20 years of sweaty integrity, added to the lexicon rather than simply borrowed from it.
Read Full Review >Billboard.com
It took the Black Crowes seven years to release last year's "Warpaint," but now that the Robinson brothers are back in the studio album business, they're making up for lost time.
Read Full Review >Rolling Stone
You get a little sick of hearing the crowd between songs (we get it, there's an audience!), but in many ways this is the album the Crowes have been meaning to record for years.
Read Full Review >Boston Globe
Frost is prime Crowes, a set of songs about dudes who are buzzed, crooked, and haunted, all delivered with bluesy swagger and infused with psychedelic spirit.... The Crowes delve into hippie square-dance jams and bluegrass gospel tunes with an earnest zeal, though style trumps substance on most of the tracks.
Read Full Review >Los Angeles Times
These guys still come up with meaty riffs for fans of guitar-driven rock, but also leave themselves plenty of room to stretch out in jam-band excursions.
Read Full Review >Uncut
For the Black Crowes, this is an inspired move, maximising their virtues (virtuosity, passion, guilelessness) and minimising their principal flaw (the fact that it all starts to feel a bit silly if you stop to think about it).
Read Full Review >Q Magazine
Before The Frost... is as comfortingly familiar as one of Chris Robinson's kaftans. [Oct 2009, p.108]
What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this album is 9.0 (out of 10) based on 15 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Mike H gave it a10:
This is one of the best albums I have ever heard. The Crowes have really hit on a great line-up finally and the songwriting is nothing short of spectacular. At first I wasnt sure if I was going to "feel" the more laid back approach the Black Crowes have taken the last few albums, but after listening with a open mind I am very glad I did. This seems to be the most fluent and inspired release of the Crowes long, wonderful career.
Gerry O. gave it a9:
Very good album (except track 5).
Mark S gave it a10:
"After nearly 20 years, the Crowes' 8th studio record hits us and gives us a refreshing smile. This delightfully adds to their outstanding material and does not disappoint in the least. That bluesy southern rock sound is as impressive as ever and is even expanded upon with country and folk-like themes. It comes as an 11 song disk, and 9 additional free tracks are downloaded off their website. The funny thing is that the later 9 are just as good as the others! There is a handful of songs that you can't stop putting on repeat. Full of rich melodies, the music is truly outstanding and is performed brilliantly - a crowning achievement."
tom i. gave it a10:
Most definitely, this is the album of the year 2009.
maurice s. gave it a10:
Best since a long time! Even way better than warpaint!
James G. gave it an8:
Robinson seems to have become more direct with his lyrics, but not at the expense of imagery and poetic language. Dickinson's bottleneck slide almost makes up for the absent Marc Ford (who many maintain was the perfect lead guitarist for the band). Perhaps the real star here, though, is guest Larry Campbell, whose twangy fiddle and banjo parts remind the listener of the country roots that grow deep in most of these songs.
