Black Love | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | March 12, 1996 | |||
Recorded | August–September 1995 | |||
Studio | Bear Creek Studio, Woodinville, Washington and Robert Lang Studios, Shoreline, Washington [1] | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 51:56 | |||
Label | Elektra | |||
Producer | Greg Dulli | |||
The Afghan Whigs chronology | ||||
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Singles from Black Love | ||||
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Black Love is the fifth album by the band the Afghan Whigs, released in March 1996. [5] It was released by Elektra Records/Sub Pop in the US and by Mute in Europe, and was produced by Greg Dulli. Black Love was preceded by the single "Honky's Ladder" and followed by the single "Going to Town" (also released as the Bonnie & Clyde EP in the US).
Prior to this album's release, lead singer Greg Dulli seriously explored producing a movie in the film noir genre, but despite his optioning at least one book, the movie was never made. Dulli's ideas for a soundtrack led to the songs recorded on this album.
The album was reissued on November 25, 2016, on Rhino Records, in celebration of the 20th anniversary of its initial release. The 20th anniversary reissue was released as a double CD and triple LP, and includes nine previously-unreleased tracks. [6]
Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [7] |
Chicago Tribune | [8] |
Christgau's Consumer Guide | [9] |
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music | [10] |
Entertainment Weekly | C [11] |
Los Angeles Times | [12] |
Rolling Stone | [2] |
(The New) Rolling Stone Album Guide | [13] |
San Francisco Chronicle | [14] |
Spin | 8/10 [15] |
Upon its initial release, Black Love received mixed reviews from critics, who generally considered it inferior to its predecessor Gentlemen . [16] In recent years, the album has been regarded as one of the best albums in the band's oeuvre, with Stereogum labeling it their best album in a "Worst to Best" list. [17]
All tracks composed by Greg Dulli except: "Double Day" composed by Greg Dulli and Rick McCollum.
Chart (1996) | Peak position |
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UK Albums (OCC) [18] | 41 |
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan) [19] | 38 |
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ) [20] | 35 |
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders) [21] | 23 |
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia) [22] | 37 |
US Billboard 200 [23] | 79 |
Band
Additional Musicians
Production
Design
The Afghan Whigs are an American rock band from Cincinnati, Ohio. They were active from 1986 to 2001 and have since reformed as a band. The group – with core members Greg Dulli, Rick McCollum, and John Curley (bass) – rose up around the grunge movement, evolving from a garage band in the vein of the Replacements to incorporate more R&B and soul influences into their sound and image. After releasing their first album independently in 1988, the band signed to the Seattle-based label Sub Pop. They released their major-label debut and fourth album, Gentlemen, in 1993. Pitchfork described them as "one of the few alt-bands to flourish on a major label" in the 1990s.
Congregation is the third studio album by American alternative rock band The Afghan Whigs. It was released on January 31, 1992, by Sub Pop and followed two years of the band's touring in support of their first album for the label, Up in It (1990).
The Twilight Singers are an American indie rock band. It was formed in 1997 by Greg Dulli as a side project during a hiatus from his group The Afghan Whigs. After the Afghan Whigs disbanded, Dulli used The Twilight Singers as his own artistic vehicle and has now released five studio albums backed by worldwide tours.
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Honky Château is the fifth studio album by English musician Elton John. It was released on 19 May 1972, and was titled after the 18th century French chateau where it was recorded, Château d'Hérouville. The album reached number one in the US Billboard 200, the first of John's seven consecutive US number one albums.
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Rhythm of Love is the fifth album by American R&B/soul singer Anita Baker, released in 1994. The album peaked at #3 on the U.S. Billboard 200 and #1 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip Hop chart and was certified double platinum, giving Baker her fourth platinum selling album.
Greg Dulli is an American musician from Hamilton, Ohio. Debuting as a member of the rock band the Afghan Whigs in 1986, Dulli has been a member of the Twilight Singers, Gutter Twins, and in 2020 released his debut solo album, Random Desire. Dulli is known as the voice of John Lennon in the 1994 film Backbeat, and has produced music for musicians such as Afterhours, and is known as a regular collaborator of Mark Lanegan and Joseph Arthur.
Do to the Beast is the seventh studio album by American alternative rock band The Afghan Whigs, their first in 16 years. It was released on April 15, 2014 on Sub Pop Records, the same label that released their albums Up in It and Congregation.
In Spades is the eighth studio album by American alternative rock band The Afghan Whigs, released on May 5, 2017 on Sub Pop Records.
Random Desire is the debut studio album by American singer Greg Dulli, lead singer of the bands the Afghan Whigs and the Twilight Singers. It was released on February 21, 2020, by Royal Cream and BMG Rights Management.
How Do You Burn? is the ninth studio album by American rock band the Afghan Whigs. The album was released on September 9, 2022, through BMG Rights Management, making it their first album since 1998's 1965 to not be released under Sub Pop.