Black Acetate

John Cale

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 18, 2005)
• Original Release Date: September 27, 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Astralwerks
• ASIN: B000AQK79S
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #138,815 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

The Former Velvet Underground Keyboardist/Cellist and Legendary Record Producer ("Patti Smith-horses", "The Modern Lovers", "The Stooges" Debut) Delivers his Second Album for EMI. This Time Around, the Master Has Truly Outdone Himself with One of the Most Cutting Edge Albums to Arrive on the Market. The First Thing to Hit the Listener is the Sonic Excellence of the Recording, as Each Track Reveals an Aural Wonder! Cale Has Called on Every Artistic Instinct from Deep Within his Soul to Create What May Well Be the Defining Album of his Career. The Songs Defy Categorization; You'll Hear Hard Rock, a Tender Ballad, Hip Hop Inspired Grooves ("Hush"), Avant-garde Sounds...all With Melodies Written by Someone who Really Understands How to Use Poetry to Effect and the Tools of a Modern Studio. He Credits Inspiration from Dr. Dre, Pharrell (Of the Neptunes), Erykah Badu, Gorillaz, Doves, Curtis Mayfield and Beyond.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It doesn't get better than this, October 19, 2005

By	Charles A. Miller (Baltimore, Maryland U.S.A.) - See all my reviews

John Cale's career has covered quite a lot of musical genres. A classically-trained musician, he begun in the United States working with Aaron Copeland and John Cage. This translated well into the contributions he eventually would make as a charter member of The Velvet Underground. From there, Mr. Cale launched a solo career, which ranged from pop tunes, to hard rock and roll, to soundtracks for movies, which incorporated everything that has gone before.

He is perhaps most famous for a period in the mid-1970s known to many as the Island Years (the lable for which he recorded a number of hard rock albums). While any recording from John Cale is welcomed, many have yearned for a return to this particular style. Well, here it is. First off, one is struck by how similar the sound of this release is compared to those years, right down to the instrumentation. And, it moves from one track to the next much like it did in previous years... a mix of sweet sounding melodies, to some very dark tunes, to straight out rock, all of which Mr. Cale is famous for.

Perhaps one of the most interesting revelations is the very catchy single from the album, Perfect. Truly, if this were to get airplay, it would chart as it has that "anthem" quality necessary for popularity. After hearing it, it will play in your head all day. Check out his website for a preview.

This album has been called a follow-up to Hobo Sapiens, and in a way it is. However, it is also quite different from its predecessor, taking what started there and throwing in the Island Years style. Overall, a must-have for any Cale fan and a great introduction to those who are not familiar with his music.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Pick Up The Word" John Cale's Finest Record To Date Has Arrived, October 23, 2005

By	Allen Mann (Hattiesburg, MS USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

In my opinion this is one of John Cale's greatest albums and my favorite. I am a big fan of his albums Paris 1919, Fear, and Slow Dazzle. I think that anyone who likes these albums or his material like Fragments or Walking On Locusts will enjoy this album. I really liked most of the material on 5 Tracks and Hobosapiens, but Black Acetate feels like it's a stronger record and more melodic. As well as being unpredictable and varied like much of Cale's material, this album also features some of his strongest vocal work and greatest songs: Gravel drive, Sold-Motel, Perfect, Mailman(The Lying Song)....

Definetely check it out.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars greatest record of all time, December 23, 2005

By	electroncloud (northwest new jersey, USA) - See all my reviews

It's hard to know whether the uninitiated will enjoy this album as much as the long-time John Cale fan. His rich history adds to the experience, helping one's understanding and appreciation of what's to be heard. Regardless, 'Black Acetate' is a wonderfully varied, emotional, intellectual and, most importantly, enjoyable contribution to the world's catalog of recorded sounds. Exciting, too, in that it explores and expands the existing musical universe, and even points to a few spots outside. Tour de force, big daddy. Thanks!