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The Black Album
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The Black Album
Current price: $15.99
Barnes and Noble
The Black Album
Current price: $15.99
Size: CD
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The fact that one of its songs is called
is quite appropriate for the double-vinyl
; while not perfect, it's definitely got some high points on it. Given the intentionally parodic reference to
' own two-disc sprawler, perhaps the semi-schizophrenia is perfectly intentional. Some of the numbers show the band following their original punk vein, but by this point the four (joined here by a new bassist,
) were leaving straight, three-chord thrash to the cul-de-sac revivalists. The album begins with a
classic,
a dramatic psych/punk surge infected with
's glorious croon, celebrating the joys of the night while steering clear of overtly-serious goth affectations. After that, things start to vary, but tracks of note are still thick on the ground, including
a nicely barbed take on culture with some harpsichord to match, and the goofy but still enjoyable
Regardless, things get a bit restful at points, and while
often steps forward to continue carrying it along, sometimes even the band isn't happy with the results.
has always carried the credit "overproduced by
" because they felt the guest synth player did just that! However, the final two studio tracks are doozies:
a
/
-sung romp with a great chorus, and the sidelong
perhaps the most unlikely thing
ever did. That said, it's still a surprisingly good blast, a tour de force for
particularly and a chance for the band to try everything from straightforward rock to gentler atmospherics. ~ Ned Raggett