Art vs merchandise - the music gets a 7 and is really quite good. Despite the faux early 60's rootsy rockin' style packaging the iron grip of the corporate music biz is so strong that the experience of trying and failing to rip the album to my pc itunes and ipod (for personal use only) left such a bad taste in my mouth that it extinguished any desire to continue to support these guys with my dollar. There's too much good music around to need to endure this kind of control.… Collapse

My favorite album of the year. Don't buy it expecting the same BRMC sound. If your musical tastes range broader than the last decade's top 40, particularly if you have some simultaneous appreciation of blues, folk and modern music, you'll love it.

Utterly disappointed. The first record is amazing, and the second isnt bad at all, but this 'new direction' is appaling.

absolutely great and beautiful. a wise and unexpected revolution. "led zeppelin III" of the 21st century. thanks to this album they will be remembered forever.

BRMC have recreated themselves in a radical but fresh way. Very beautiful-sounding

An absolutely outstanding record. This would definitely be in my top 3 for 2005. The songs are all beautifully developed and the change in sound, although a big shock at first could just be the best thing to happen to the band - and I loved the first two albums!

Very, very dissapointing from what used to be a solid band. First two albums unbelievable. Howl took a definite turn for the worse.

This is a fantastice ALBUM. Play it from start to finish in the right frame of mind and you might be convinced too...this is a contender for the best of 2005.

No tower of sound here, just heavenly-soudning stripped down blues/country played to perfection

Obviously different to their earleir stuff. Definately better than the previous album. The slower more lyrical stuff works for me. Love it.

Don't expect the same ol' BRMC - expect something that will blow you away and bring you back time and time again for more...

This album has incredible depth. I find that when artists explore a different sound for a collection of works, people freak out. Why that is, i have no idea. You'd think people would marvel in their ability to cover more ground than what they've previously achieved. BRMC knows how to write songs and capture a feeling with each song. These folk rock songs are a great modernization of old sounds done BRMC style... Great album.… Expand

Kickass CD every song is a hit imho. The extra cut after 'The Line' is my favorite...We May Never Be Here Again. Solemn.

This is BRMC's finest in my oppinion. I cannot get enough of Howl, Promise, and Complicated Situation. This record is terrific if u accept the change of a band and their progress towards a better suited sound for the band. Their second album was stale as can be and this one is a complete 360 from that

It's a really intense album, maybe the noise have been cut off, but the songs are "heavy" in their own way. You can get tired from the acoustic guitars but they never been so better writing songs like these, that can cut through your heart. If you're tired from these 80's revivals or, just want to get to the basics you can't go wrong.

Yeah, 'cause Blender has it's finger on the pulse of the world...

Love it

Excellent songwriting throughout. Devil's Waitin' would be on Cash's American Recordings VI if Rubin could milk him any further and Ain't No Easy Way is a killer tune. Too bad they can't play their instruments, but the songwriting is awesome.

A strong back to basics record, which combines a stripped down soulful gosphel sound with great recording techinques. Less bombastic than the previous two records, and much better for it.

This is a solid album and great redirection of their sound. Up until track 8 I was convinced I was listening to a definite top ten album of the year. After track 8 it isn't terrible just not as solid which puts it just in my top 25 right now. This is a great cd, much better than the metascore would indicate.

maybe their Led Zeppelin III? (a third acoustic/blues album which follows two LOUD in your face ones) Also BRMC fans will probably look back and think of it in the same way Led Zep fans do III. As far as reviews that call it derivative - how many truly original CDs have you heard lately that were any good?

I agree that this is the best effort yet from BRMC. Can't wait to hear the new songs performed live!

Loved their first album. Was o.k. with their second. But this mess? This second rate black crowes album? Why? Why? Why? Do they even know who they are. A flat out mess.

Great, ...

the first two albums are amazing. this one's pretty weak. it's got a few great songs (weight of the world, complicated situation) but the rest of it is weak to awful...and the single? ain't no easy way? horrible. it's the worst track on the cd by a long shot. come on guys, you can do much better

Howl certainly contains some of the most outstanding BRMC songs to date and some of the best Rock this year.

I thoroughly enjoyed this album. It's one of my favorites of the year. I've gone back and started listening to some Blind Willie Johnson because of it.