NEW YORK (AP) — The primary time Chris and Wealthy Robinson had been on the Grammy Awards, it was 1991. The New York Giants had gained the Tremendous Bowl, and the U.S. was within the midst of the Gulf Struggle.
The siblings behind the band The Black Crowes had simply launched their debut album “Shake Your Money Maker” and had been nominees for finest new artist. They did not have excessive hopes. Positive sufficient, Mariah Carey would take the crown.
“I don’t remember ever like getting too worked up about it,” singer-songwriter Chris Robinson recollects. “Of course, Mariah Carey is going to get that. Are they going to give it to these dirtbag kids from Atlanta who just came to the party really to get thrown out?”
Quick ahead greater than three a long time and the Black Crowes have been invited again to the occasion, incomes their second profession Grammy nod this yr for finest rock album alongside the Rolling Stones.
“Literally just to be nominated is an amazing thing. And to be nominated next to the Rolling Stones makes it even better,” says Wealthy Robinson, the songwriter and guitarist.
Beside the Stones
The Black Crowes’ rollicking “Happiness Bastards” is up for finest rock album in opposition to “Romance” by Fontaines D.C., “Saviors” by Inexperienced Day, “TANGK” by IDLES, “Dark Matter” from Pearl Jam, “Hackney Diamonds” by the Stones and “No Name” from Jack White.
“To be in a place where it’s all clicking and it all feels right, that’s the real special feeling,” says Chris Robinson. “I think it reinforces our commitment and where we’re going.”
“Happiness Bastards” is a 10-track romping tour of rock, from the Southern boogie of “Rats and Clowns” to the stuttering stomp of “Cross Your Fingers” and the ethereal cool of “Wilted Rose.” There’s blues harmonica, some glam rock, ’70s harmonies and enjoyable AC/DC-like riffs.
“It’s funky and it’s rockin’ and it’s kind of a little bit salty here and there. But ultimately, I think it’s very interesting,” says Chris Robinson. “It’s just integrated with everything that we’ve done and where we’re going.”
The band final launched a studio album in 2009, and the risky Robinson brothers wanted a decade aside earlier than they regrouped in 2019. In 2022, they launched an EP with covers of David Bowie, the Rolling Stones, the Temptations, T. Rex, Little Feat and Rod Stewart. Now they’re in the identical Grammy class because the Stones.
Critics have welcomed the brothers again, with Paste journal calling the brand new album “a respectable collection of bluesy rockers that showcase the brothers’ strengths” and Rolling Stone describing it as “fun, energetic and, unmistakably not-crusty.”
Some cynics thought the reunion was merely a money seize, an try to monetize followers of the band craving for the ’90s and a good-time rock live performance. The sturdy album and Grammy love refutes that argument.
“Well, we did it and we’ve been successful. And all these years later we wrote these new songs and, boom, here we are,” says Chris Robinson. “The validation of that is really unique to us.”
Contained in the writing course of
The way in which the brothers provide you with a music hadn’t modified over time. Through the pandemic, Wealthy began sending a flood of concepts to his brother to see what clicked with him.
Chris wrote the lyrics for “Rats and Clowns” in 20 minutes after Wealthy — impressed by AC/DC — despatched him a killer riff. “Rich just handed me a hanging curveball. ‘I can hit this,’ you know what I mean?” says Chris. “I have to emphasize how much fun we’re having in this band.”
One distinction this time was the addition of an out of doors producer. The Robinson brothers had produced all The Black Crowes albums after their second and wished a brand new factor.
“We were like, ‘Let’s bring in someone that’s going to challenge us a little bit and maybe would have a point of view that we don’t have.’ Someone that can look at everything from 10,000 feet,” says Wealthy Robinson.
That occurred with producer Jay Joyce, who has labored with artists like Cage the Elephant, Lainey Wilson and Eric Church. Joyce pushed them and was capable of negotiate the sibling rivalry, what some name the U.S. equal to Oasis.
“Our story connects with people because if you have siblings, you understand the dynamic of that — how amazing it is and how difficult it can be,” says Chris Robinson.
His brother agrees: “We’ve had our ups and downs, we’ve had our trials and tribulations, and we kind of came out stronger in the end. Chris and I’s relationship is in the best place it’s been probably in our lives.”
The brothers trace about that on the album’s final music — “Kindred Friends” — which strikes a loving, wistful be aware. “Kindred friend, where have you been?/Guess it’s been a while/Through thick and thin/Many times again/Always makes me smile.”
The Robinsons say the music is partly about them however could possibly be a toast to an outdated lover and can be reaching out to their followers in any case these years.
“There’s a sweetness to it,” says Wealthy Robinson. “I sent it to Chris and what he sang on it was really moving. It’s a great way to end that record, you know?”
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The 2025 Grammy Awards will air Feb. 2 reside on CBS and Paramount+ from the Crypto.com Area in Los Angeles. For extra Grammy protection, go to https://apnews.com/hub/grammy-awards.
