Blacks - Just Like Home

  by Cara Ross

published: 8 / 5 / 2002

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I need to preface this review by saying that the Blacks have only recently broken up, and that this album, while only recently released in Britain, is almost 2 years old now. Nevertheless, the Blacks still deserve some attention in the UK as part of the staple of bands that make up Chicago’s Bloodshot Records. Bloodshot is home to all of the insurgent country greats these days: Alejandro Escovedo, Old 97s, Neko Case, Pine Valley Cosmonauts, Ryan Adams, the Sadies, the Waco Brothers, Trailer Bride, and many, many more.  Bloodshot is the kind of label where you can find a truly cool compilation dedicated to the godfather of punk- country, Johnny Cash (Never thought about him that way before, did you?) And if you find you’re interested in one or two of the bands on the Bloodshot label, odds are good you’ll have an affinity for almost all of them, so consistent is the label’s ability to choose artists who infuse punk with country, roots, folk and bluegrass, not to mention that it’s a label with an honest and genuine desire to promote these original ideals about Country music.  Fortunately for us, this is no “young” country (i.e, present day pop music being touted as country music). This is the genuine article.  And the Blacks are no exception to these concepts. The Blacks were a Chicago trio fronted by Danny and Gina Black.  And, even though they are now over, this is still one you might want for your country staples collection.  The Blacks make me nostalgic for the Carter family, and that’s a good thing.  Central to their sound is Gina Black’s upright bass, and her deep female voice, which is in direct contrast with that of Danny’s, is easily comparable with that of Exene Cervenka. Even though a lot of the lyrics of their songs tend to stem from relationships, they also have this “step right up” small town, country fair freak-show feel.  Perhaps it’s the sad and haunting theremin lilting through 'How He Cried', or the equally creepy tone of 'I’d Like to Say' that leaves me waiting for the geeks and lobster-boys to take the stage. And of course, I mean that in as much as I can make it a compliment.  The songs feel dark, and the atmosphere of everything is dark, right down to the album’s artwork, done by Gina herself. Unfortunately, as with most jobs, it’s sometimes just time to move on, and I think finally Danny and Gina were unable to make it work together anymore,and, coupled with their drummer Jimmy’s decision to go off and be with his new family, they finally had to call it quits.  You can currently find Danny Black fronting a band called Healthy White Baby, and Gina Black in a new band called Grizzly. Keep your eyes peeled for both.

Track Listing:-

1 Head On A String
2 Call
3 Fake Out Jesus
4 How He Cried
5 I'd Like To Stay
6 Off The Couch
7 Goin Out West
8 To A Sucker
9 Valentines Day
10 I Asked My Mom
11 Foggy Minded Breakdown
12 Rest My Bones
13 Head On A String (Reprise)

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