Customer Reviews

1965

5 star:		(49)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Okay, if you have to read this, here it goes. I was never quite the fanatic when it came to this band, so when I first heard this album, I was blown away at how good they have become. I was always a fan of their R n' B flavored work, especially the "Uptown Avondale" EP back in '92. This album is that good and more, much much more. It's a lusty, sweaty rock record that follows poor Greg Dulli from one failed relationship to another. He quotes Nas and Pink Floyd, he includes pounding piano solos and gospel backgrounds, and basically shapes together one of the most solid albums of the '90s. Think mid-eighties Replacements, early seventies Stones, and a little Bauhaus thrown in for good measure. While critics were peeing their pants over the latest French techno bores, this album went unfairly unnoticed, but if you buy it, you can avenge the Whigs fate!

This album blew me away. I am a very tough critic of modern rock...most of it totally sucks, and the rest is mediocre or pop and wears quickly. But this album..., I don't know what to say. I spent five months overseas in the middle of nowhere (long story) and had to travel light. I took my CD portable and five CDs. This was one of them. And I listened to it everyday. It not only kept me going, it totally restored my faith in rock, which I though died in the early 80s. If you are tired of wimpy REM songs, tired of yawning paeans to juvenile angst you hear on the radio, and want something that stretches your limbs, your lust, and your learning, unwind with this album at nine and a half on the volume knob. I am so refreshed to find a band that can blend blues, hard rock rhythym, lyrics that are both introspective and overtly sexual, and key physical elements like brass and superb bass...it reminds me of the Stones. And John the Baptist has got to be one of the best rock songs ever written. Man, I love this album.

It's pretty obvious I think the Whigs are among the most underrated bands in rock history--otherwise, I wouldn't be writing this.

After several albums mining such dark subjects chronicling love gone bad, addiction, murder, remorseful sex, and generally living the life of a modern American male Tarintino style, the boys are back with a collection of tracks that are, for a lack of a better term, light hearted. I mean, they're actually having fun here, without all that downer self-torture business (okay, maybe there's a bit of that, but it's way muted). Production values are high. Soulful background vocals, ballsy horns, and winning arrangements; this LP absolutely shines.

I know I'm gonna take a lot of flak for the following closing comment, but honestly, this is the album the Rolling Stones _wish_ they recorded.

Never more focussed or melodic, cool cat Greg Dulli once again winds through the tales of revenge, pain, and wanting we all relate to. The formula still works as the music, increasingly innovative, manages to stay true to the trademark Whigs form. Each track snakes beautifully around gritty guitars, infectiously layered beats, and Dulli's soulful loverboy croning, keeping to the spirit of sexed up and sweaty late-nite R&B. Check out the the passion of "66," the harmonics of "Uptown Again," and the sultriness of "John The Baptist" to name a few. The album as a whole triumphs over the mass-produced, cookie-cutter, record-company dictatorship of the late '90's, while crawling desperately through the bedroom of every young, dirty, defenseless girl. Go on in.

This band continues to define itself creatively. The music is rich, layered and transforming. The mood (a la Dhulli) ranges from lusty to spiritual.

Cajones.

Picture this - it's 1998, and the kind of bleak alt-rock that your band has specialized in for the past decade isn't exactly in fashion anymore. Facing sagging sales and general public distinterest, what do you do? Reinvent your sound in favor of something passionate, soulful, swaggering, confident, unique, intelligent and real.

Ten years later, I was in a record store chatting with some folks I know who work there. One of them puts on some early Afghan Whigs, which reminds me that I used to listen to this band way back when but have since lost touch. So I go home and take a look at their catalogue on amazon, and figure I'll order this one because of some of the reviews it received. Back then, just a few weeks ago, this CD was in-print (looks like for some reason it's not now - an injustice to the music-listening public for sure). A few days later it came in the mail. I put it in the player and was absolutely blown away.

This is unlike anything I have ever heard before - a perfect synthesis of raucus hard-edged alt-rock and pure, classic soul (complete with keys and female backup singers, sometimes even horns). It has a huge, wide sound as deep in breadth and scope as a U2 record. Greg Dulli struts and swaggers across the front, he's overtly lustful while recognizing the complexities of romantic liaisons. It's that duality which gives his performance character - instead of wallowing in self-pity he carries himself with the confidence of the man of the world we all know he was/is. Plus the sax solo on "John The Baptist" just kills me. I can't believe anyone could not appreciate this record - there is just so much going on.

I wish I had discovered this one when it was new, but it really doesn't matter - it's sound is timeless and will always be fresh. It's a pity that this band broke up after the release of this record, but then perhaps this was a one-time-only creation, a moment in time that can't be replicated. Whatever the case this carries my highest recommendation.

Alright, some fans fall into the "Gentlemen" camp, and it's certainly a classic album - consistently good songs all the way through, Greg Dulli in perfect self-loathing form, etcetera. Others fall into the "Black Love" camp because it's a fantastically dark, if overblown, caricature of Greg Dulli's persona - menacing, pleading, hypersexualized, and excruciatingly out of key. "Congregation" is a worthy choice as well, the grittiest and grungiest of them all, not to mention the near-perfect "Jesus Christ Superstar" cover.

I love all of these albums, but "1965" is the one that I pop into the CD player most frequently. The lyrics seem a bit trite compared to the brooding "Black Love" and desperate "Gentlemen" - an acquaintance of mine, whom I forced to listen to "1965," called it a "40-minute pick-up line," which probably isn't far from the truth. But frankly, I couldn't care less, because this album has that indescribable groove that compels you to shake your ass and sing along. Many musical elements absent in past Whigs recordings - the sultry female backup singers, screeching horns, all products of the New Orleans backdrop - shine through in "1965" and help Greg Dulli effortlessly channel the soul, funk, and R&B that came so naturally to the "Uptown Avondale" EP but were forcibly and often awkwardly incorporated into the "Black Love" recording sessions.

Words can only describe these intangible feelings so much. Just listen to the album and wait for those moments of transcendence, like the soaring chorus to "Uptown Again," or when the female vocalist coos alongside the mantra "I've got the Devil in me, girl" on "John the Baptist," or Greg Dulli's anguished "yeah, yeah, yeah" as his voice drowns amidst the squealing horns and careening guitars in the final minute of "Omerta." There's nothing like 'em on any of the other Whigs releases, and that's why "1965" is their standout record.

I find myself driving to nowhere in particular, just so I can sing on the top of my lungs to this album. I am sure others point and gasp, but I can't help myself. After seeing them in concert in 1996, I've been waiting for more. And here it is. This album makes me appreciate more the diversity and talent that makes Afghan Whigs so likable. I've never been disappointed.. From the time I started listening to them over (gasp!) 10 years ago they have always been my favorite band. They shouldn't be compared, but the "rawness" of their music reminds me of the pixies and other bands that make you want to let out every emotion. Truly a wonderful album.. but I want more..

Being a HUGE Afghan Whigs fan, there was really no doubt that I would really like this album. I feel that it must be said, however, that it is a pretty far departure from their previous work, such as Congregation and Black Love, which is not a bad thing. It is really cool to see a band actually broaden their musical horizens without the music sounding contrived or to put it bluntly, sucking. By listening to their previous efforts, you can see the evolution of their music, from the almost punk Big Top Halloween and Up In It to the excellent Congregation, then the fantastic Gentlemen, the awe inspiring Black Love and now 1965. At the risk of sounding like an idiot, I can only wonder what these fine musicians will come up with next. This album should be in everyone's collection, no matter what your musical taste may be.

An evalution of sound. Very soulful. Very sexy. The pissed off little man has grown up, but his swagger is bigger than ever.