Customer Reviews

Under the Big Black Sun

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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!!

If you're under thirty you probably don't even remember these guys, which is your loss, and a major hole in your musical education. This is what Punk Rock as Art was all about, innovation and sincerity without an second of prentention or preachiness. A weird mix of poetic lyrics, tight riffs, and open emotions, with some of the tightest vocal harmonies in musical history. If you're young enough to think that GreenDay, The Offspring, or Blink 182 are what punk rock is all about, this should set you straight unless you're just plain soul dead.

X remains one of the most underated bands in the history of rock. I can't help but feel exactly as the "Hungry Wolf" describes. We have entered an era of music that reminds me of the 70's arena rock. Pointless and indulgent. CD's like this stand the test of time. It is refreshing to hear music that makes a point and is musically pleasing. John Doe and Exene have put together some poetic songs emphasising an interesting view of relationships. The band has blended punk and rock a billy to create a fresh sound. "Blue Spark" and "Real Child of Hell" showcase the guitar playing of the underated Billy Zoom. I think John and Exene display some interesting harmonies that work like in "How I". When I listen to the "new" alternative bands, I feel they lack the emotion of bands like X. Although I prefer "Los Angeles", this cd is really a piece of work. This cd is a time capsule which displays the attitude of the punk era.

X has always been something of a cult band with a fanatical following, but if anyone deserved mainstream success, it was them. This is one of those bands who are so good you have to partially attribute it to luck - they just work so well together, they are so much more than the sum of their parts. And this is their best album, with the absolutely stunning title track, a song that, if there were any justice in the world, would turn up on all kinds of "Best Rock Songs of All Time" countdowns. Exene's voice is a little more melodic this time around, but without losing any of its bite. Billy Zoom is absolutely magnificent on his guitar, not to mention cool as hell.

Every track is effective. The lyrics are great. From the raging punk of Because I Do to the understated sadness of Dancing with Tears in my Eyes, this is one of the greatest albums of all time. I don't give many 5-star reviews, either.

This was the one that began my love affair with X. John Doe & Exene Cervenka do some of their best harmonizing on this release. The death of Exene's sister led to a punk rarity...there is real personal loss and emotion all over this album. Her tragic loss was, in a sense, our gain. X was never a band to put up much of a front. What you heard and saw was who they were. There was an intelligence and maturity in X's music & lyrics that was(and still is) so very rare in punk rock. There really isn't a weakness on this cd. Riding With Mary, The Have Nots & Because I Do are absolute classics. Start with Under The Big Black Sun and you will, more likely than not, be back for more from the X catalog. Several songs presented here appear on the X Anthology(in one form or another), but the ones that don't cannot be missed. This was the pinnacle for John, Exene, Billy & D.J.. It has not lost an ounce of charm or impact in all these years.

The first album by this band was awesome raw and defined the LA punk scene -it has it's place. Their second album Wild Gift got all the critics praise and showed that a truly great band can still be edgy and punk one year later. This is their third effort and the times have changed for the band and their fans. Exene's words are powerful and haunting and real. She sends chills down your spine with the thought of God choosing the next one to take this friday"which one will he save for this friday/ you can put him in a fish pond/ and watch him swim around/ then have a catholic dinner."Sheer poetry and grief-she learned to sing on this record too, which changed their sound and probably maked thier downfall as producers couldn't quite seem to capture their talent the way live recordings would after.You should own all of their stuff and I wouldn't recommend this as the first one to get but for this fan it is my most treasured. I grew and cried listening to Exene and Johnie and this took me places at a time other music didn't

I Have owned this album on vinyl, first issue cd and now finally on the superb remastered ,recent rhino reissue.What can you say about an album that shows the original line up of the band at their strongest musical point.With one foot firmly in their early punk roots and the other foot firmly planted in their more broader indie/alt style.They manage to cover a lot of ground here from too many road trips with The Have Nots to the manic punk edge of Motel Room in my Head.This is the cd that I recommend to most first time X listners as it gives a perfect overveiw of were the band has come from and we're they are heading.So if you don't know Johnny,Exene,Billy and D.J. you soon will and finally my personal favourite on the CD is Blue Spark that bassline and drums at the intro gives me shivers and don't forget the bonus of eXtra tracks for the die-hard X heads.

Exene Cervenka, an enigmatic cult icon, was one of the women in rock who vied on equal footing with the boys of early punk rock. Exene was not the media... sex symbol that Madonna was, nor the outrageous new wave pixie that Cyndi Lauper was, nor the rock and roll chick with a guitar embraced by Chrissie Hynde and Joan Jett. She was instead the femme fatale of every great film noir, and this was X's best film - capturing the dark, sleazy, decadent underworld of Los Angeles at the beginning of the decade of excess better than any other album I can think of. X were a punk rock band including two Beat poets and a Gene Vincent-worshipping guitar hero whipping out rockabilly licks with the coolest detachment you've ever seen. If the combination of Zoom's menacing riff and Exene's desperate wails on the title track don't send a shiver down your spine, you have no soul.

I love this album. But no one else has heard it. X were truly, as they presciently observed on their stunning debut Los Angeles, locked out of the public eye. They should have been bigger than REM on college radio. Their live shows were deservedly the stuff of legends. There has never been a vocal duo like Exene and John Doe before or since. This album is absolute proof that the masses don't always discover the true gems of their time. Popular music today sure could use an Exene.