Uncivilized Love [Import]

Gus Black | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 23, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Wild Abandon
• ASIN: B00006I0AK
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  DVD Audio  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #835,005 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Cadillac Tears

2. Dry Kisses

3. When You Go

4. 12345

5. City Life

6. Violent Rain

7. Paranoid

8. Over a Great Wall

9. Catch Your Breath

10. Debut

11. Never Before Our Time

12. Despacio

13. Uncivilized Love

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

In the tumultuous years following his ‘99 sophomore jewel Word of Mouth Parade, Los Angeles singer-songwriter Gus Black became variously label-less, a cult hero (having Parade's "The Road Between" covered on Lisa Marie Presley's high profile debut), a father, and, on the evidence of this mature, introspective album, an infinitely more complicated human being. His heart-on-the-sleeve emotionalism and '70s-leaning penchant for pop hooks remain as strong as ever, but they're now focused in service of songs as cautious and brooding as his previous chapters were wistfully effusive. Wed to a sophisticated, yet stripped-down production sense (the artist collaborating with Eels/Old 97's producer Wally! Gagel), Gus imparts a musical impressionism that matches the lyrical fancies of "Cadillac Tears" and "Violent Rain." Black credits fatherhood for the more expansive tone here, a mood that stretches from the playful ode to his son, "Debut," to the upbeat "Over the Great Wall" and compelling dirges that range from "12345" to an unexpected cover of Black Sabbath's "Paranoid." The title track captures the album's essence: Inviting musical simplicity, wed to a complex--and conflicted--world view, yet all too familiar in its evocative spell. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not Boring! Quite the Contrary., August 17, 2003

By 

FCS (Rogers, AR) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Uncivilized Love (Audio CD)

I don't understand how another amazon reviewer found this album boring. One listen to "Never Before Our Time" should persuade you to turn the volume up to ten.

Let's put it this way: if you don't like Grant Lee Phillips' ever evolving folk-rock music, then you probably won't like Gus Black's album. (Gus Black's "When you go" is most reminiscent of Grant Lee's best songs.) However, if you adore textured, acoustic-guitar driven melodies, American-heartland songwriting, achingly tender singing, then you might (you just might) learn to love this album.

While there are many outstanding songs on this album, I suggest you listen to the entire album while driving at dawn or dusk toward a new destination.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Pleasant, but boring, June 9, 2003

By 

Anthony Taylor (Sitka, AK USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Uncivilized Love (Audio CD)

Gus' first album, "Gus," was an inventive mix of driving beats, emotional lyrics, and oddball sounds thrown in at precisely the right moment. It was unpredictable and interesting.

"Word Of Mouth Parade" was mellower, more accoustic, more subtle. The tunes tended toward pop without going over the edge into silliness.

"Gus" is by far one of my top-ten albums of all time. "WoMP" is decent, but not quite great.

"Uncivilized Love" follows the downward trend. For me, the sound lacks the vibrant inventiveness of his first album, or the candy-like pop quality of his second. There are some jewels, to be sure; "Cadillac Tears" is worth the price of the album just by itself. The inventiveness isn't sustained, though, as demonstrated by "12345," which borrows Muddy Waters' lyrics, "Got my mojo workin', but it just don't work on you."

Overall, the album seems rather... boring. Although the sounds are pleasant, and I enjoy listening, there's nothing engaging, nothing to involve me as a listener.

But, of course, your milage may vary. There will be a lot of people who find this is his best album, while his first is too noisy and his second too adolescent.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Breath of Fresh Air, June 27, 2003

By 

Laura Harper (Reno, NV) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Uncivilized Love (Audio CD)

Gus Black could have named his recent release for Immergent records A Breath of Fresh Air for in todays folkmetal rockabillyartnoise world,that's what "Uncivilized Love" is. But, that would be too cliche and cliche is not what Gus Black is about.Black's poignant lyrics and perfect mix of effects, electronica, and acoustics sing to the slightly cynical soul. Those who haven't lost all hope, but often find themselves alone at a table for two questioning the answers over a cold beer..."There's a better life in between who we are and who we seem," (When You Go). "We can't change what was never before our time," (Never Before Our time).Yet, there's a copious dose of the positive, "Faith when the world decays", from my personal favorite (Violent Rain), the realistic look at a relationship (Over A Great Wall), and the light hearted tribute to his son in (Debut). Gus Black is a man that can't help but remain true to himself commiting several first major release "no no's" and coming out on top. One, a cover song of Black Sabbath's Paranoid no less, and an excellent job he does. Two, including both the acoustic and mixed versions of the same song. Giving them two different names (I love that), Black nails both on the head. "Uncivilized Love", a work of art set to music.