Just when you start to think that rock ‘n’ roll is dead, along comes a band to prove you wrong and restore your faith that everything is gonna be all right.The Black Crowes are coming to Columbus and bringing their brand of “blues-based, deep-fried and hard-edged rock ‘n’ roll.”The Crowes are stopping in Columbus as part of the first leg of their “Souled Out” tour. They have recently finished the “Sho’ Nuff” tour, a series of small club dates supporting the boxed set released in August of 1998.The “Souled Out” tour is a larger venue and more extensive tour supporting the latest release “By Your Side.” “This tour is very different from the ‘Sho’ Nuff’ tour,” said Steve Gorman, the drummer. The biggest difference between the two is the venues are much larger. “We have much more room on stage to perform,” he said.The set length, planned about two hours, is longer than the earlier tour. Unlike the “Sho’ Nuff” dates, the Crowes will be performing most of the new material from “By Your Side.””We’re averaging between seven or eight of the new songs each performance,” Gorman said. So, on an album with only 11 tracks, a majority of the tracks will be performed.”By the fifth album, we realize that not everybody has rushed out to buy it. Unlike the first and second albums, more people decide on whether or not to buy the new one at the show. But we’ve all been really surprised by the number of people in the crowds that know the new songs already,” Gorman said.And if you have been hesitating to pick up the Crowes latest release, don’t. “By Your Side” might mark the band’s debut for Columbia Records, but it is a return to an older Black Crowes’ sound.Whereas their 1994 release “Amorica” and 1996 release “Three Snakes and One Charm,” had more of a psychedelic flavor, the new album has a straight-ahead rock sound, reminiscent of their 1990 release “Shake Your Money Maker.””It wasn’t a conscious choice to change the sound,” Gorman said. “It’s where we were at the time, and this is where we’re at now. It’s not that it’s different, it just has a different type of energy,” he said. The change in record labels has also had an effect on their music. The label the Crowes recorded their first four albums under was constantly battling with the band, Gorman said. “We have a great relationship with Columbia. It’s been an eye-opening experience and everyone their has been great through the production of this album,” Gorman said.The new album also introduced a new line-up for the band. Chris Robinson is still on vocals, Rich Robinson on guitars, Eddie Harsch on keyboards and Steve Gorman on drums, but guitarist Marc Ford and bassist Johnny Colt are gone. Colt has been replaced by bassist Sven Pipien, and Robinson did all of the guitars on this album. For the tour however, guitarist Audley Freed will be performing with the band.The “Souled Out” tour will be on Saturday, Feb. 20, at Veterans Memorial Auditorium. Tickets are available through TicketMaster.