[The Punk Heart of Americana] -- Hailing from the West Coast hard-core-punk scene, X drew upon multiple musical elements and swirled them into a unique sound. That sound included the vocal harmonies of John Doe and Exene Cervenka, which were hauntingly aggressive, clashing in a marvel of minor keys. And forty years ago this week, X released their third studio album, Under The Big Black Sun. This was the band's first outing on a major-label (Elektra), so there was some chatter that X had sold out with this record. However, I would argue that, just as X was leveling up musically, the new contract likewise leveled up their potential audience.
This quartet's playing on Under The Big Black Sun is just as strong, if not stronger, than what they laid down on either Los Angeles (1980) or Wild Gift (1981). And lyrically, well, these tracks are peppered with existential humor and mortal peril. Cervenka, in particular, is using her songs to grapple with the devastating death of her sister by a drunk driver ("Riding With Mary" and "Come Back to Me"). This is an extremely personal and poetic album, wrapped in blistering guitar licks and a furious rhythm section. And I don't think it's too much to claim that Under The Big Black Sun may well be one of the best records of 1982, perhaps even the entire decade.
I look forward to hearing what your favorite tracks are from this album.
Flashback: Under The Big Black Sun (July 1982)
And ... that's all till next week. Dedicated 80s-philes can find more flashbacks in the Prophet or Madman archives or via Bookended's 80s Flashback tag. As always, your comments are welcome on today's, or any other, flashback post. And if you like what I'm doing here, please share the link with your friends. If, however, you don't like the flashback, feel free to share it with your enemies.
I'll see you in seven!
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