High Water II

The second volume of High Water arrived a little less than a year after the first, but by all appearances it couldve been released alongside its predecessor. In every way, High Water II is cut from the same cloth as High Water I. At its core, it sounds like a loud, bold incarnation of the Black Crowes, one guided by guitarist Rich Robinson, heavy on riffs, rockers, and blues with the occasional acoustic number to provide levity. Vocalist John Hogg can still evoke Chris Robinson; when the band gooses the rhythms they can veer toward Lenny Kravitz territory; but they still seem to ramble even when they bring proceedings to a close around the four-minute mark. In other words, its a journeymans record, written and recorded by lifers who arent as concerned with incorporating new textures as they are with sticking to the tried and true. This meat-and-potatoes sensibility trickles down to the songwriting, which often doesnt contain much more than the bones of a sturdy song. It all adds up to a solid record, one that will surely appeal to Crowes fans who have no patience for Deadhead flourishes, but one that could use a little bit of flair on the edges. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine