Given the back and forth Robinson brother brawls, troubled marriages, constant lineup changes and overall opinion that the band is washed up, the last thing you’d expect is for The Black Crowes’ new album “Warpaint” to be very good.

But it is.

It’s been a long time since there has been any reason to be excited about The Black Crowes.  Their last few albums have been weak, and they’d become just another overwrought jam band. 

“Warpaint” is a return to what made the Crowes great. They’ve returned to quality songwriting and top-notch musicianship. They’ve recaptured their brew of rock, blues, soul and country that sets them apart from lesser Southern rock bands.

It starts with the marginally good country-flavored boogie “Goodbye Daughters of the Revolution.” The album’s weakest song, it’s not the best track to start with as it makes the listener fear the entire album will be forgettable and altogether disappointing. 

The album has a couple of other weak moments, but those are more than balanced by songs like the brooding but bright “Walk Believer Walk” and the sweetly introspective “Oh Josephine.”

“Warpaint’s” best moments come on “Evergreen.” It is quintessential Black Crowes and Chris Robinson at his vocal best.

“Warpaint” isn’t as lyrically strong as the band’s sophomore masterpiece “Southern Harmony and Musical Companion,” but, still, there isn’t likely to be an album comparable to it in terms of lyrical content for the rest of the year.

The Black Crowes’ first two albums, “Shake Your Money Maker” and “Southern Harmony,” are still by far their best, but “Warpaint” finishes a strong third.

-- By Jay Nunley