The Black Crowes demanded an apology for the scathing review Maxim gave their unreleased new album and an apology they finally received, but lukewarm and apparently unsatisfactory.

Maxim magazine reviewed the Black Crowes’ new album, “Warpaint,” most unflatteringly in its March issue and gave the musical effort 2 and a half stars out of five. This outraged the rock band, as it had not released any advance copies.

A statement posted on the Black Crowes’ website last week asked for an immediate apology from the magazine for its bogus review. The Crowes’ manager, Pete Angelus, accused the magazine of lacking “journalistic integrity” and laughed off its explanation that the review had been based on an “educated guess.”

Maxim editorial director James Kaminsky responded Tuesday with this statement: “It is Maxim's editorial policy to assign star ratings only to those albums that have been heard in their entirety. Unfortunately, that policy was not followed in the March 2008 issue of our magazine and we apologize to our readers.”

It is not clear whether the writer will face disciplinary action.

The Black Crowes however are not content with Tuesday’s apology. A statement posted on their website that same day says: “Maxim seems to continue in their attempt to deceive the public with their usage of the word ‘entirety.’ At the most, Maxim could have only heard the one complete song that has been released to radio, before publishing their ‘album review.’

“It comes as no surprise that Maxim has elected to apologize to their readers now that the world has been informed of their deception; however, that is not full accountability.”

Angelus maintains that the band deserves more from Maxim. “In my opinion, Maxim’s ‘apology’ is self-serving damage control by failing to mention The Black Crowes. The appropriate action from Maxim is to immediately issue a public apology to The Black Crowes for disparaging both the band and their soon to be released new album ‘Warpaint’ without having heard the material.”

“Warpaint” will be released on March 4, via the band’s own Silver Arrow records, their website informs. “Warpaint” will be distributed through Megaforce/Sony Red BMG. It is the band’s first studio album in seven years, since 2001’s “Lions.” Only one song has been released from the disc, “Goodbye Daughters of the Revolution.”

The band is fronted by Chris Robinson and brother Rich Robinson.

The Black Crowes: http://www.blackcrowes.com