- Under the Big Black Sun
Infobox Album
Name = Under the Big Black Sun
Type = Studio album
Artist = X
Released = July 1982
Recorded = 1982,Cherokee Studios , Los Angeles
Length = 33:45
Label = Elektra
Producer =Ray Manzarek
Reviews =
*Allmusic Rating|5|5 [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:g01gtq9ztu44 link]
*Robert Christgau (A-) [http://www.robertchristgau.com/get_artist.php?name=x link]
*"Rolling Stone " Rating|4|5 [http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/x/albums/album/243618/review/6067785/under_the_big_black_sun link]
Last album = "Wild Gift "
(1981)
This album = Under the Big Black Sun
(1982)
Next album = "More Fun in the New World "
( 1983)"Under the Big Black Sun" is the third album by the American
punk band X, and their major-label debut. It was released onElektra Records in 1982, and reissued onRhino Records in 2001 with bonus tracks.The album was listed by band member
Exene Cervenka as her favorite X album. Much of the material, including the album's title track, written after the tragic, untimely death of Cervenka's sister Mireille (Mary) in an automobile accident in April 1980. The stark black & white cover art was also a reflection of the mood of the band, particularly Ms. Cervenka, during this difficult and painful time.The overall sound of the record still contains the hard-edged, fast-paced punk rock that became the band's trademark, but a more country and blues sound had also emerged from the mournful period. The album even contains a rare X slow song, "Come Back to Me," done in a 50s "doo-wop" style that is, once again, a tribute to Mary Cervenka. A fast-paced version of
Lead Belly 's song "Dancing with Tears in My Eyes" with a country-swing style that the band had never before or since emulated, was also a tribute to Mary.Track listing
All tracks written by
John Doe andExene Cervenka except as indicated.ide one
# "
The Hungry Wolf " – 3:45
# "Motel Room in My Bed" – 2:32
# "Riding with Mary" – 3:40
# "Come Back to Me" – 3:43
# "Under the Big Black Sun" – 3:23
# "Because I Do" – 2:21ide two
# "Blue Spark" – 2:06
# "Dancing with Tears in My Eyes" (Huddy Ledbetter ) – 2:20
# "Real Child of Hell" – 2:59
# "How I (Learned My Lesson)" – 2:12
# "The Have Nots" – 4:44Bonus tracks (2001 reissue)
# "Riding with Mary" (Single version) – 3:12
# X Rewrites "El Paso" (Rehearsal)/"Because I Do" (TV Mix/Instrumental)" (Marty Robbins , Cervenka, Doe) – 2:56
# "Universal Corner" (Live) – 4:08
# "Breathless" (Single mix) (Otis Blackwell ) – 2:20
# "How I (Learned My Lesson)" (Live) – 2:20Personnel
*John Doe – bass, vocals
*Exene Cervenka – vocals
*Billy Zoom –guitar ,saxophone ,clarinet
*D.J. Bonebrake – drums, marimba vibes, percussionAdditional personnel
*
Ray Manzarek – keyboards on "Riding with Mary" (Single version)Charts
Album
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.