Post Minstrel Syndrome

The Negro Problem

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 23, 1997)
• Original Release Date: September 2, 1997
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Aerial Flipout
• ASIN: B000005CUP
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #127,446 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

The debut album by this much-acclaimed L.A. combo is an auspicious one indeed. Singer/guitarist Mark "Stew" Stewart writes sophisticated psychedelic pop tunes that address painful personal and political issues (racial and otherwise) with survivalist humor, while his band alternates between baroque prettiness and rockist bombast. Stew's most impressive songs--"Submarine Down," "Doubting Uncle Tom," "Birdcage," "If You Would Have Traveled on the 93 North Today"--balance melodic mastery and lyrical invention with a deftness that inevitably recalls fellow African-American pop-psychedelicist Arthur Lee, but nonetheless marks Stew as a genuine original. And the band's cover of "MacArthur Park" puts a menacing contemporary edge on that pop standard. --Scott Schinder

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Strange Brilliance In A Psych-Pop Wrapper.,

By A Customer

Pop hooks that dig in with the best this genre has to offer... Hummable tunes for wondering what a "Go-dot" is... Heart, Power and Soul without the mush... I can't think of an appropriate one-liner to define The Negro Problem. Their album "Post-Minstrel Syndrome" mixes bouncy, razor-laced pop songs with strong, steady progressions of sound and melancholic, acoustic folk-type tunes. Having becom a fan of the band during their live shows, I can tell you this album doesn't quite capture the spirit or raw energy of those shows but it does give a good sampling. Notable among them are 'Buzzing'(6), 'Ghetto Godot'(8) and 'Stranded On The Cloud Girl's Terrain'(18). Listening to these songs, I always wonder if next time, Stew won't come back from where he goes while coming up with these lyrics. These are songs for every mood and level of appreciation that stay fresh for a long, long time.
I eagerly await their next album. Hopefully, this time they'll include a recording of that Xmas song about G.I. Joe, Barbie & gender identity issues or maybe another take on hotels in Amsterdam or women flying naked thru the air (figuratively) or routine traffic stops gone bad. Lots of good, strange material to be mined here...
This band and the freshness of their sound needs to get out to a broader audience. Buying three CD's and handing them out to people you like is good way to start. They'll thank you for it.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent - pop with meaning., October 6, 1998

By A Customer

Don't be put off by the seemingly offensive name of the band. TNP addresses interesting social and political topics with great tunes and clever lyrics. Even if you don't listen to the words, the music will have you humming along. If TNP ever got any air play, they would rule pop music. Also, this album is especially good because it includes an additional 4 tracks which aren't listed above.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My favorite album of 1997, August 15, 2000

By	Gregory J Stadler (Pasadena, CA USA) - See all my reviews

In the sea of musical mediocrity, Post Minstrel Syndrome stands far above. This album takes me places. It has withstood the test of hundreds of listening. Original, humorous and poignant. Stew is a wonderful musical talent. Thanks Stew!