Shake Your Money Maker
The Black Crowes · 1990
44 min · 11 tracks · hard rock
A gritty fusion of Southern rock and blues, propelled by soulful vocals and electrifying guitar riffs.
Top tracks — play these first
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Hard to Handle — This track showcases the band's ability to blend energetic rock with soulful elements, becoming a defining anthem that highlights their signature sound.
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She Talks to Angels — With its poignant lyrics and haunting melody, this ballad stands out as a heartfelt exploration of loss and longing, showcasing Chris Robinson's emotive vocal delivery.
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Twice as Hard Start here — Opening the album, this track sets the tone with its driving rhythm and captivating guitar work, encapsulating the band's raw energy and musical roots.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends Southern rock and blues with strong songwriting and performance, making it a solid debut.
What we noticed
- The first three tracks feature driving guitar riffs and energetic rhythms, establishing a high-energy tone that persists through much of the album.
- Several songs incorporate call-and-response vocal patterns, enhancing the soulful quality of the performances.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- dynamic emotional journeys
- energetic workout motivation
- long, immersive listening sessions
- late-night contemplative moods
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This debut album established The Black Crowes' reputation in the rock scene.
- Themes
- Southern rock revival· barroom heartache· blues-infused longing
- Career context
- Shake Your Money Maker marked The Black Crowes' debut album, released on January 24, 1990. At this point in their career, the band was establishing themselves in the rock scene, drawing heavy influences from classic rock and blues artists.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Lynyrd Skynyrd· The Allman Brothers Band· Gov't Mule
Tracklist
- 1 Twice as Hard Start here 4:09
- 2 Jealous Again 4:34
- 3 Sister Luck 5:13
- 4 Could I've Been So Blind 3:44
- 5 Seeing Things 5:18
- 6 Hard to Handle 3:07
- 7 Thick n' Thin 2:44
- 8 She Talks to Angels 5:29
- 9 Struttin' Blues 4:09
- 10 Stare It Cold 5:14
- 11 Mercy, Sweet Moan (Live Too Fast Blues) 1:08
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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