Black Acetate

John Cale | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 18, 2005)
• Original Release Date: 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Astralwerks
• ASIN: B000AQK79S
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #64,776 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

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

By 

Charles Miller "objective clarity" (Baltimore, Maryland U.S.A.) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Black Acetate (Audio CD)

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.

11 of 11 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

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Black Acetate (Audio CD)

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!

14 of 15 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
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This review is from: Black Acetate (Audio CD)

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.