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Before the Frost... Image
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 10 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 21 Ratings

  • 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.
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 10
  2. Negative: 0 out of 10
  1. No longer young upstarts, they wear their years proudly on this terrific album, sounding like the veteran roadhounds they've always aspired to be.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. Q Magazine
    60
    Before The Frost... is as comfortingly familiar as one of Chris Robinson's kaftans. [Oct 2009, p.108]

See all 10 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
  1. MikeH
    Sep 18, 2009
    10
    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 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. Expand
  2. tomi.
    Sep 3, 2009
    10
    Most definitely, this is the album of the year 2009.
  3. maurices.
    Sep 3, 2009
    10
    Best since a long time! Even way better than warpaint!
  4. MarkS
    Sep 7, 2009
    10
    "After nearly 20 years, the Crowes' 8th studio record hits us and gives us a refreshing smile. This delightfully adds to their "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." Expand
  5. GerryO.
    Sep 8, 2009
    9
    Very good album (except track 5).
  6. BlairB.
    Sep 2, 2009
    8
    Great guitar hooks and soulful singing.
  7. JamesG.
    Sep 2, 2009
    8
    Robinson seems to have become more direct with his lyrics, but not at the expense of imagery and poetic language. Dickinson's bottleneck 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. Expand