The primary time Chris and Wealthy Robinson had been on the Grammy Awards, it was 1991. The New York Giants had received 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 Cash Maker” and had been nominees for greatest new artist. They did not have excessive hopes. Certain sufficient, Mariah Carey would take the crown.

“I don’t keep in mind ever like getting too labored up about it,” singer-songwriter Chris Robinson recollects. “After all, Mariah Carey goes to get that. Are they going to provide it to those dirtbag children from Atlanta who simply got here to the occasion actually to get thrown out?”

Quick ahead greater than three many years and the Black Crowes have been invited again to the occasion, incomes their second profession Grammy nod this yr for greatest rock album alongside the Rolling Stones.

“Actually simply to be nominated is a tremendous factor. And to be nominated subsequent to the Rolling Stones makes it even higher,” says Wealthy Robinson, the songwriter and guitarist.

Beside the Stones

The Black Crowes’ rollicking “Happiness Bastards” is up for greatest rock album towards “Romance” by Fontaines D.C., “Saviors” by Inexperienced Day, “TANGK” by IDLES, “Darkish Matter” from Pearl Jam, “Hackney Diamonds” by the Stones and “No Title” from Jack White.

“To be in a spot the place it’s all clicking and all of it feels proper, that’s the actual particular feeling,” says Chris Robinson. “I feel it reinforces our dedication and the place 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 type of a little bit bit salty right here and there. However finally, I feel it’s very attention-grabbing,” says Chris Robinson. “It’s simply built-in with every thing that we’ve achieved and the place 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 decent assortment of bluesy rockers that showcase the brothers’ strengths” and Rolling Stone describing it as “enjoyable, energetic and, unmistakably not-crusty.”

Some cynics thought the reunion was merely a money seize, an try and 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.

“Properly, we did it and we’ve been profitable. And all these years later we wrote these new songs and, growth, right here we’re,” says Chris Robinson. “The validation of that’s actually distinctive to us.”

Contained in the writing course of

The way in which the brothers provide you with a tune hadn’t modified through the years. 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. “Wealthy simply handed me a dangling curveball. ‘I can hit this,’ you recognize what I imply?” says Chris. “I’ve to emphasise how a lot enjoyable we’re having on this band.”

One distinction this time was the addition of an outdoor producer. The Robinson brothers had produced all The Black Crowes albums after their second and wished a brand new aspect.

“We had been like, ‘Let’s herald somebody that’s going to problem us a little bit bit and perhaps would have a viewpoint that we don’t have.’ Somebody that may take a look at every thing from 10,000 toes,” 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 in a position to negotiate the sibling rivalry, what some name the U.S. equal to Oasis.

“Our story connects with folks as a result of if in case you have siblings, you perceive the dynamic of that — how superb it’s and the way tough it may be,” says Chris Robinson.

His brother agrees: “We’ve had our ups and downs, we have had our trials and tribulations, and we type of got here out stronger in the long run. Chris and I’s relationship is in the perfect place it’s been most likely in our lives.”

The brothers trace about that on the album’s final tune — “Kindred Mates” — which strikes a loving, wistful observe. “Kindred pal, the place have you ever been?/Guess it has been some time/By thick and skinny/Many instances once more/All the time makes me smile.”

The Robinsons say the tune is partly about them however could possibly be a toast to an previous lover and can also be reaching out to their followers in any case these years.

“There’s a sweetness to it,” says Wealthy Robinson. “I despatched it to Chris and what he sang on it was actually transferring. It’s a good way to finish that document, you recognize?”

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The 2025 Grammy Awards will air Feb. 2 dwell on CBS and Paramount+ from the Crypto.com Area in Los Angeles. For extra Grammy protection, go to https://apnews.com/hub/grammy-awards.