CRY OF LOVE – “Bad Thing” (1993 Columbia CD single)
“Just a new song, that I gotta sing…”
Cry of Love were awesome. Most frequently they were compared to the Black Crowes, but perhaps like many bands who live in the shadow, they might actually have been better. On a technical level, they had a better singer and a stellar lead guitarist. The original lineup with Kelly Holland (R.I.P.) was something truly special so you may as well try to get all the tunes you can. To do that, you’ll need some CD singles. “Bad Thing” was a single in 1993, featuring four tracks – one remix and three live.
Leading the single is “Bad Thing” in the form of a “New Mix”. It is admittedly hard to tell specific differences without doing an A/B test, but it is ever so slightly new. One thing for sure: “Bad Thing” is a wicked cool groove, with a thumping bassline and incredible guitar work from Audley Freed. The man has such a tube-y sound! There’s really nothing better than a Cry of Love groove with Audley and Kelly wailing!
The three live versions are pretty clean sounding. Live in the studio? Probably. Their big hit “Peace Pipe” is way, way groovy. The way that bass rolls just makes your guts rumble.
Tearing the temple down!
Burn down the sacred ground!
Tear the temple down!
In the name of God somehow.
Burn down the sacred ground!
Sing it Kelly! What a chorus. The powerhouse blues rocker made short work of it, drilling the song fully into your noggin. While your grey matter focuses on that melody, your intestines are shaken by the groove. Then Audley takes a solo and bam! Instant classic. The live version is very authentic to the studio original.
The Willie Dixon cover “I Ain’t Superstitious” takes the blues and cranks it right up. You’d be forgiven if you thought this was a lost Crowes tune, but Cry of Love rock it just a little bit harder. This one is a party so bring your dancing shoes. It boils and bubbles through a jamming middle section and finishes with a bangin’ flourish.
The 7:10 “Bad Thing” opens with a two minute slow blues jam. Audley’s wiry guitar tone here is different and cool. Then the drums and bass kick in and we’re groovin’! Killer version of a song that was already killer.
If you haven’t checked out Cry of Love yet, then what are you waiting for? You’ve had 30 years!
4.5/5 stars
mikeladano.com 
Cool stuff. Don’t know them but to compare to Black Crowes and say they might be better…that is pretty cool!
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Better singer for sure, objectively. And Audley Freed was good enough to join the Crowes on the Lions and Jimmy Page tours.
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Have both albums. It’s been a long while since i listened to them so thanks for reminding me!
Burn down the secret ground….
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Tearin’ the temple down.
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My brother bought this when this came out and I liked it. I really need to check this band out. Too bad they went nowhere…
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The lead singer change didn’t help. They got Robert Mason from Lynch Mob / Warrant and he’s just no Kelly Holland. I think that was the thing that finished them. Kelly was really unique.
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I recall digging the vocals…man these singer changes just got so goofy and still continue to this day!
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I just saw Great White have a new singer, and I’ve lost track of them all. I think they had Mitch Malloy, Terry Ilous, and I wanna say Paul Shortino already?
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I watched a clip of GW’s new guy…Russell was the voice plain and simple and this new guy I dunno everyone needs to make a living I suppose but man Kendall if anything needs to take his head out of his ass and give it a shake with the amount of lead singer changes…
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talking about lead singer changes. Your take on Skid Row’s new singer?
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Don’t get me started. Generic and boring. I keep getting crap for not liking Erik. Too bad… what am I supposed to do? Pretend?
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Man I forgot about this band.
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They were never compared to The Black Crowes back in the day. All comparisons the press could think of was Free and The Faces.
What an awesome band this was. Shame they were so shortlived.
I was lucky enough to see them live. A life-changing experience.
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Yes they were actually. Just because you never heard them compared to the Crowes doesn’t mean I didn’t.
Awesome band.
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