American/UMe is re-releasing the first four The Black Crowes American Recordings albums on 180-Gram vinyl. Fans of the band will be able to pick up 1990’s Shake Your Money Maker as a single disc, while 1992’s The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion, 1994’s Amorica and 1996’s Three Snakes and One Charm will all be issued as two-LP sets with sound cut directly from masters...

Amorica is reissued as a two-disc 180-gram vinyl release. The album has been out of print in LP form since its initial 1994 release as a single album. The band, now a six-piece, had previously ditched the unreleased Tall LP in 1993, and the release of Amorica caused plenty of controversy in the marketplace, with several retailers refusing to carry the album because the original cover (later airbrushed) depicted female pubic hair visible under an American flag bikini. The original release went gold after selling over 500,000, peaking at #11 on the Billboard 200.

Again, for me, this album never managed to capture the raw energy of the band's debut LP, Shake Your Money Maker. That's not to say it's not an impressive release. 'Conspiracy', 'High Head Blues' and 'Wiser Time' were the three notable singles released from the album. For me, 'Wiser Time' is easily the most memorable of the three.

For lovers of vinyl, American/UMe do a wonderful job of bringing this back for vinyl lovers. Although, on its original release the majority of listeners would most likely have picked this up on CD as vinyl was dying a slow death.

This is another worthwhile addition to your vinyl collection if you're a The Black Crowes fan.

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Nick Smithson