It's risky because this kind of hard guitar rock is at its lowest ebb in years. The only records that sell these days are ones by heartthrobs and rap and country acts. But the timing is also fortuitous, because there are many people who are probably just beginning to miss the crunchy sound of loud guitars. And if they happen to be people who don't already own the entire catalog of Faces' records, which By Your Side patently rips off, they'll be very pleased indeed. Is as Good as a Wink , then you might very well be appalled by the Black Crowes' utter lack of vision and allegiance to the worst aspects of '70s hard rock.
Lyrics are a problem throughout the album.
Not only do the Crowes lack a musical vision, they also lack any kind of viable message, context or poesy. Chris Robinson, it's true, is a semicharismatic, if conceited, rock-star type, but more from a personality perspective than from an artistic one. And you either buy that shtick or you don't. But then, I still like to see guys in flannel shirts, work boots and ski-caps. We should count our blessings, though.