In the summer of 2021, Adam Duritz, the lead singer of Counting Crows, shared insights about the creative process for the anticipated follow-up to their Butter Miracle, Suite One EP. He mentioned he was in the midst of “tightening up” the songs, expressing that once everything aligned, they would enter the studio to record and subsequently perform the new material live, which he considers the most rewarding aspect of making music. Duritz’s enthusiasm and dedication to perfecting the songs highlight the band’s commitment to their craft and the excitement of sharing new music with fans.

However, Duritz did not anticipate that the completion of the new material would extend to nearly four years. The time span reflects both the challenges in the creative process and the high standards he sets for his work.

Butter Miracle, The Complete Suite Sweets! is set for release on Friday, May 9, and represents Counting Crows’ eighth studio album. This comprehensive collection features the four tracks from Suite One along with an additional five songs—the four Duritz referenced back in 2021, plus the newly created “With Love, From A-Z.” The band members are excited about this album, but Duritz openly admits that the journey to its completion was fraught with difficulties and required significant effort from everyone involved.

Duritz expressed, “I genuinely believed I had finalized the new songs,” sharing that he had penned the material at a friend’s farm in England, the same location where he created the Suite One tracks. During his return trip to New York, he made a stop in London to contribute vocals to Gang of Youth’s 2022 album Angel in Realtime, which he describes as “one of my favorite projects from the past decade.” This experience shifted his perspective, prompting him to reevaluate what he initially believed would become Suite Two.

“Suddenly, I found myself questioning the quality of the songs I had just completed,” Duritz admitted, recognizing that they lacked certain elements. He noted that while one track, “Virginia Through the Rain,” felt “perfect,” the others fell short. “I started to lose confidence in them,” he reflected. As a consequence, he shelved the songs for two years. Eventually, he composed “With Love, From A-Z” in New York and realized its potential, stating, “That’s fantastic — now I need to decide how to incorporate this into a record without delay!” He felt a sense of urgency, recognizing the need to either take decisive action or abandon the songs altogether.

The breakthrough for Duritz came when he invited several bandmates—multi-instrumentalist David Immergluck, bassist Millard Powers, and drummer Jim Bogios—to his home in New York. Together, they worked through the previously set-aside songs, focusing on creating the best possible arrangements and performances.

Duritz acknowledged, “My ambitions for how these songs should sound far exceeded my actual skills on the piano.” He confidently stated, “I’m adept at arranging and singing, without a doubt. I excel at being in a band, but my piano skills aren’t quite on par with those of some other musicians and songwriters.” His humility reflects a deep understanding of collaboration in the creative process.

“To tackle this challenge, my bandmates came over, and we worked through each song methodically. The result was remarkable; we transformed those songs into something truly great. Just a few weeks later, we entered the studio and recorded the album in an astonishingly short period of 11 to 12 days. It was by far the quickest recording process we’ve ever experienced, although the journey to get there felt extensive,” he chuckled, highlighting the paradox of creative endeavors.

The Complete Sweets! showcases the fruits of their labor, with the new tracks seamlessly integrating with the Suite One songs. Together, they create a distinct Counting Crows sound, ranging from the earthy vibes reminiscent of The Band in “With Love, From A-Z” and “Virginia Through the Rain,” to the grand, orchestral feel of “Under the Aurora,” the infectious power pop found in the single “Spaceman in Tulsa,” and the gritty rock energy of “Boxcars.” The latter song, Duritz admits, presented significant challenges until he collaborated closely with the other musicians.

While The Complete Sweets! does not tell a linear story, it embodies a cohesive concept. “I wasn’t aiming to craft a specific narrative,” Duritz explained. “Yet, the songs naturally coalesced for me, creating a unique little world that felt richly developed.” He primarily expresses himself through various characters within the songs, a narrative style he delved into more deeply starting with 2014’s Somewhere Under Wonderland. This marks a departure from the angst-driven first-person narratives that characterized much of his earlier work.

In particular, the character featured in “Spaceman in Tulsa” is intricately linked to the protagonist in Suite One’s closing track, “Bobby and the Rat Kings.” This connection creates a thematic bridge between the two sets of songs. “There’s a definite thematic relationship; I believe the ‘Spaceman’ character does indeed appear in ‘Bobby and the Rat Kings,’” Duritz acknowledged. “However, I think the song would still resonate even without that connection. Nonetheless, I wanted to establish that link, as I found immense joy in writing about Bobby in this album. Many artists share a similar journey, growing up feeling out of place, and wondering how they will fit into the world.”

Duritz continued, “I believe there exists a community of individuals who resonate with our thoughts, and when we find that connection, it feels transformative, akin to emerging as butterflies rather than remaining caterpillars.”

Counting Crows established their musical legacy in the 1990s, originating from the collaboration between Duritz and guitarist David Bryson as an acoustic duo in the San Francisco Bay Area. The band garnered significant attention after performing at Van Morrison‘s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction in January 1993, just months before releasing their critically acclaimed, seven-times-platinum debut album, August and Everything After, featuring iconic hits like “Mr. Jones,” “Round Here,” and “Rain King.” Over the years, Counting Crows has sold over 20 million records globally and received an Academy Award nomination for “Accidentally in Love” from Shrek 2 in 2004.

This year also marks a significant milestone, celebrating 20 years since the current lineup, including “new guy” Powers, joined the band in 2005.

Duritz has always envisioned a long-lasting band dynamic, expressing, “I’ve always aspired to maintain a cohesive band.” Despite his involvement in various side projects with artists like The Wallflowers, Ryan Adams, and contributing to films such as Josie and the Pussycats and The Locusts, as well as managing record labels, he maintains, “I never desired to pursue a solo career. That has never appealed to me. It’s a challenge to stay united as a band, and while it’s understandable that we’ve lost a few members over the span of 30 years, at this moment, it feels like we could continue indefinitely—although I recognize that nothing is guaranteed.”

Despite the uncertainties, Counting Crows is preparing for the upcoming Complete Sweets Tour, which kicks off on June 10 in Nashville and continues until August 23, with Gaslight Anthem providing support. While the concept of “forever” may seem daunting, Duritz is optimistic about the band’s future, believing they will continue to share their music with fans for many years to come.

“I’m not weary of it at all,” he asserts. “There were moments when I faced personal emotional challenges, and the pressures of the band felt overwhelming. However, our current management team is exceptional, and I have complete faith in everyone involved. All of that stress has dissipated. The band is stable and thriving, and we’re still delivering incredible performances.”

“Thus, we’re embarking on our journey once again. Everything feels positive, and each member seems to be in a great place. It’s a joyful period— and,” he adds with laughter, “if I can find happiness, what’s stopping anyone else from feeling the same, right?”