Customer Reviews

Post Minstrel Syndrome

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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!

I won't go over terrain already covered by other excellent reviews here, but I'd like to mention that I found this cd today for 10.00 in a used record store in Philly, I don't think it is that hard to find. And, I love what Stew does w/ Macarthur Park (Someone left their crack out in the rain)...fun stuff!

I first heard this group on a compilation cd and was impressed. However, nothing prepared me for hearing this cd. I was blown away from the beginning. Almost every song is unforgettable, and it includes a 5 song ep at the end. The lyrics are topical, somewhat political, and often amusing. The singer has some great pipes, and a knack for always finding a hook that sticks like molasses. Upbeat party songs are interspersed with ballads and the band does'nt miss a beat. I cannot really compare them to anyone, because they are setting the trend. Quite simply a marvelous album, one you must own.

...because if you start here, you may never want to hear another thing the Negro Problem does, even though there are a few great songs ("Buzzing," for example). Remember those old '70s albums where every song was like a mini-opera, with numerous "parts" and lots of overblown gimmickry? So that a single song could be great till that awful bridge came in that was folkloric or ragtimey or whatever? That happens here a lot. ("Miss Jones" is a good example.) Three stars because TNP is a worthwhile band, even though I'd say this CD is just for the initiated.

This is my favorite of The Negro Problem CDs.

Stew & the gang always provide catchy music with interesting lyrics, but this collection has some of their strongest work.

"Miss Jones" is an evocative slice-of-life that wildly transcends the depth of meaning that you'd expect from a pop song. But it's not alone -- "Doubting Uncle Tom," "Ghetto Godot," "Meaning of Everything," ... well, the majority of the tracks on this collection are not just fun music, but convey a great deal more. The CD is the experiential equivalent of simultaneously reading a collection of philosophical short stories and having a BBQ/summer dance with your friends on the sun-killed grass of some poorly-maintained Los Angeles park.

The first half of this album is a retrospective of the bands greatest hits over the preceding 4 or 5 years. The second half includes more new stuff with a spattering of their best work. It's a very good CD for an indie release although inconsistent in places and in need of a better recording studio and music producer.

This band has the imagination and chops both lyrically and musically. The shot in the arm that rock-pop needs at the end of the millenium.


The price is for the Indie release that was done on the Ariel Flipout label - its available at regular price on the IMAGE label