Counting Crows: The Complete Sweets! Tour With The Gaslight Anthem

CRITIC’S PICK:
Thurs. July 24
Counting Crows, The Gaslight Anthem, Ameris Bank Amphitheatre — It says a lot that the reception to Counting Crows’ recent May release of the oddly titled Butter Miracle, The Complete Sweets!, their first full album of originals in a decade, was at best lukewarm, despite it being an impressive return to everything fans appreciate about them. Frontman Adam Duritz wrote solid, winding, wordy-as-usual, material and whoever is now in the band plays those new songs with fire and dedication. Apparently they think followers of their popular mid-‘90s work will be able to fill this sprawling arena, but just to be sure, the Gaslight Anthem, whose workingman lyrics have often been compared to Springsteen, are along to help. Despite reservations on that front, this is a strong combination of poetic rocking and both bands deliver more than dependable live shows. — Hal Horowitz