Under the Big Black Sun

X | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Elektra / Wea
• ASIN: B000005IRP
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #107,965 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Signing with a major label (Elektra) in 1982 gave SoCal's premier punk/new wave band an opportunity to stretch out musically, leading to the suprisingly roots-rock, at times almost neo-country, flavor of their third album. Only in a city like L.A. could a cracked boho couple like John Doe and Exene Cervenka combine Hollywood sleaze ("Motel Room in My Bed") and American Indian metaphysics ("The Hungry Wolf") and get away with it. Then again, the same probably goes for the heart-tugging romanticism of "Dancing With Tears in My Eyes" and "Blue Spark." And the catalog riffing of guitarist Billy Zoom and drummer DJ Bonebrake's name-worthy bashing somehow keep it all focused. --Billy Altman

Product Description

Third albums usually define a truly amazing band. Want proof? Two words: London Calling. And X's Under the Big Black Sun is a record of equal importance and stature. It is a defining moment in American music that can never be equaled. Darker than its predecessors, it still rocks as hard as Los Angeles or Wild Gift but in a grown up way. This is one awesome slab! --This text refers to the Vinyl edition.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Who ??...., July 26, 2002

By 

F. Gentile (Lake Worth, Florida, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Under the Big Black Sun (Audio CD)

We thank the stars, cosmos, planets, moon tides...whatever it was that pushed these four weird people together at that time, and made them produce such crystal-clear genius. If I had to list my 10 fave albums of all time, this would be one of them. It still makes me shake my head in wonder that their collaboration created these songs, this sound, each member true to the sounds in their head, all blended together to make magic happen. They are all incredible musicians, and Exene's poetic lyrics are unique unto themselves. Standing there, in her farmer lady's dress and June Cleaver apron, screaming out her lyrics, sometimes making sounds that make Janis Joplin sound like Laura Nyro. They certainly are not for everyone, just for those lucky enough to "get it." They go from hard-core driving beat,("Because I Do", "Real Child Of Hell") to rockabilly gone haywire, to Mexicali ("Dancing With Tears In My Eyes"), to gut wrenching letters from lonely souls (Come Back To Me"), to drunken anthems ("The Have Nots")...and other songs, that can't be put under any category...all having un-equaled potency. Every time I play "The Hungry Wolf", I am eXhilerated, and left spent, and in awe. John Doe's and Exene's eerie harmonies, her poetry, Billy Zoom's relentless and skillfull guitar, D.J. Bonebreaks innovative, to -the -front pounding drums, they all came together at that little moment in time to create a perfect result. I am not necessarily recommending this to the same people that I'd recommend Judy Garland or Billie Holliday to,(both of whom I also love) you may HATE this band, and have a heart attack in the process. That's o.k. I, and many others, still consider them simply one of the best bands ever, you can list all their ingredients and analyze them to death...they remain an enigma. But, what pleasure they bring. I don't mind growing old, as long as I can still hear their songs.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Punk rock that will make you cry, June 24, 2003

By 

Reggie Charan (Philadelphia, PA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Under the Big Black Sun (Audio CD)

I bought a copy of X's first two albums and absolutely could not figure out what all the hype was about. The lyrics were pretentious, Doe and Cervenka's dual vocals were annoying, and worst of all, for a punk band, X's songs simply lacked the impact of artists like Sex Pistols and Avengers. On Under the Big Black Sun, however, it all came together. A stack of ace tunes, Billy Zoom's rocket-fueled guitar playing, and an emotional urgency (clearly influenced by the death of Exene's sister) left unheard before. This is the sound of the "live fast die young" kids facing adulthood head on and finding out they ain't so tough afterall. X's best record.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply put, a rock'n'roll classic!, May 3, 2004

By 

Paul Minot (Waterville, ME United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Under the Big Black Sun (Audio CD)

I recently bought this on CD after having not listened to the LP for a long, long time. I had forgotten what a wonderful record it is--the lyrics, the songs, instrumental prowess, production it's ALL here. Heartbreakingly beautiful (especially the songs that allude to the death of Exene's sister), yet raw, the album achieves a perfect balance. Whenever you have trouble remembering just what exactly the difference is between pop and rock'n'roll, just put this one on. It's rock'n'roll, the real deal. Great remastering, and cool bonus tracks--especially the fierce live rendition of "How I Learned My Lesson"--mercy!!