The Black Album is utterly perplexing, so misguided is it on so many occasions. But yet, here's the twist you all been waiting on;
Not only was Rosebud a sled, but holy shit, this record is actually quite endearing after a listen or two. At first it's like someone comes up and spits over your new shoes, and you say about "What the fuck did you just go and spit on my shoes for, you son of a bitch?" and the guy just stands there, staring at you and sneering and yacking about Frankie and where did you get your arse? But then, eventually, you find that this guy has some cool quirks and what-not, he does funny little things now and again that make you laugh, like maybe take lines from Mary Poppins and throw in stuff about sexy.
Let's not forget, man, this record has the original recording of When 2 R In Love, the ballad what would later show up on LoveSexy, AKA The Naked Hairy Prince Record.
It's only 8 tracks long, but it needs to be shorn of at least fifteen minutes. It's ridiculous, infuriating and unpleasantly aggressive, and it regards melody as a delicacy all too hard to come by. Like if tunes were caviar or something. You can have a little, but mostly you're gonna get half-cooked steak that stinks to hell and still barks if you bite it in a certain place.
It's one of those slabs of history type deals, one of those "important" records with regards the career of a particular performer. But, as with those other slabs of history like, say, The Holocaust or all that stuff with Genghis Khan, it's best to put it away in a cupboard and promise that you'll learn from it, and that you'll never pull this kind of shit ever again.
Thanks folks.
The Duke resides at Mondo Irlando
Article comments
1 - Rodney Welch
I'll say one thing, Duke: for someone who can't stand TV dinners you sure do eat enough of those motherfuckers.
2 - Al Barger
This is an absolute must-hear classic album. I'll give El Duke the point about a couple of cheesy pickup lines, but even those were on purpose.
He didn't even mention probably the two best songs on the album, "Dead On It" and "Rock Hard in a Funky Place."
Then there's the heart of darkness that is "Bob George."
OK Duke, now go in there and put on that new wig I bought you. NO, NO- the reddish brown one.
Bob- ain't that a bitch?
3 - Rodney Welch
I agree with Al. It's little but it's LOUD.
4 - Aaron, Duke De Mondo
Hey folks. As i hinted at the end, this record does grow on you, but however aesthetically adventurous it is, you gotta admit its pretty hard to love.
But its certainly interesting, often brilliant.
I don't think i did a very good job with this here. It was, what, half five in the AM. a fella needs sleep at such an hour, not to be yacking about such a monumental record. Sorry folks. Although theres some good jokes in there, Duke, odn't be too hard on yourself.
5 - Jim Carruthers
What really helped "The Black Album" was for the longest time, it was only available as a bootleg. Nothing like creating demand through denial.
As for "Lovesexy", the initial CD version was mastered as one track, so you couldn't go from track to track. Somebody brought their copy back to Sam the Record Man on Yonge St. and complained: "There's something wrong with my Lovesexy", the clerk said: "Go tell Dr. Ruth".
6 - Jesse Haskell
For one thing, in your review, the whole opening diatribe is based on a misunderstanding of the lyrics. It's not "Where'd you get that booty, Mama?", it's "Where'd you get that beauty mark?" Which refers to Cindy Crawford's very famous beauty mark - she's the whole subject of the song. Hello?
7 - rev. d
wow... so... so very riddled with errors. damn. 4 example, the misquoted lyrics, as jesse haskell pointed out. not 2 mention the fact that warner bros. was intent on releasing it, prince stopped it. derr hey. very repetitive and over-critical. but i suppose that's why the review showed up on a blog. it's obvious that you listened to it and offerred an honest opinion which is commendable but be sure to check facts next time and maybe try to create a better foundation to build upon. sort of superficial, altho the album is. but i guess that's sort of why it's so good. also, b sure 2 keep in mind that prince was trying to parody rap after being criticized for not playing for "black audiences" anymore after the transition to rap music so yes, it is pretty goofy. there's nothing wrong with having a little fun. after all, if you can find anything deep about a john wayne movie, it loses it's purpose and charm, duke.
8 - sharad
This was the most briliant thing I'd heard amidst all the other stuff on the radio in 1988. My friends were listening to the Cure or Depeche Mode or the dismal top 40 of the time, and I hear a bootleg of this... and learn what creativity means.
Bob George was influenced by hip hop? Can you name a track pre-1988 that this was influenced by? NWA came out after didn't it? Even Public Enemy was later, wasn't it? Or simultaneous?
Superfunky's title was a riff of Parliament track (George Clinton) and Mary Poppins... have you listened to what's being said in the song?
I love this strange, addictive, and aggressive album. It might have had the most ear opening effect on me since I discovered the Beatles catalog for myself as a youth.