Review: Drivin n Cryin – Crushing Flowers
Drivin n Cryin – Crushing Flowers
Format: CD – Vinyl LP – Digital / Label: Independent
Release: 2026
Text: Tom Wouters
Drivin n Cryin is an Atlanta-based folk rock band that has been active in America’s Southeast rock scene since 1985. Led by guitarist/vocalist Kevn Kinney, who has a successful solo career alongside the band, and currently featuring bassist Tim Nielsen, drummer Dave V. Johnson, and guitarist Laur Joamets, the band, after a long time, has released an album in which the two elements, folk and rock, come emphatically to the fore.
‘Crushing Flowers’ demonstrates that the Drivin n Cryin-sound is deeply rooted in the Austin-based folk rock scene of the 80s. The opening track, Mirror, Mirror, breathes the influence of R.E.M. in every detail (R.E.M. guitarist Peter Buck makes guest appearances on the album). The first four songs (including Why Don’t You Go Around, Crushing Flowers, and Dead End Road) all do so. You could imagine R.E.M. would sound like this if they were still around.
Starting with Keep The Change, the sound shifts somewhat and the rock element comes to the forefront, with the band playing a sort of psychedelic punk, including the snarling Johnny Rotten-vocals of frontman Kevn Kinney. Come On And Dance (folky punkrock) could easily have been written by Nick Lowe. Looks Like We’re Back Again is straightforward Zeppelinesque-rock with bassist Tim Nielsen in a starring role. That continues in The Death Of Me Yet. The album concludes with the absolute highlight Jesse Electric (heavy R.E.M.!) and the psychedelic punkrock of Iggy Monkey.
With ‘Crushing Flowers’, Kevn Kinney and his companions celebrate a very convincing comeback. In short, a fantastic record.
Tracks:
01. Mirror Mirror
02. Why Don’t You Go Around
03. Crushing Flowers
04. Dead End Road
05. Keep The Change
06. Looks Like We’re Back Again
07. The Death Of Me Yet
08. Jesse Electric
09. Iggy Monkee
Website: https://www.drivinncryin.com/