Post Minstrel Syndrome is the debut album by the American alternative rock band the Negro Problem, released in 1997.[2][3]
Post Minstrel Syndrome | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | 1997 | |||
Genre | Alternative rock | |||
Label | Aerial Flipout[1] | |||
Producer | Andrew Williams, The Negro Problem | |||
the Negro Problem chronology | ||||
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Production
editThe album was produced by Andrew Williams and the band, and recorded on an 8-track.[4][5] It contains a cover of "MacArthur Park", with changed lyrics, as well as five unlisted songs.[6][7] It was the frontman Stew's intention to make an album that sounded like his memory of the less-segregated AM radio of the late 1960s.[8] The original lineup of the band broke up toward the end of the recording sessions.[9] "Birdcage" criticizes the Los Angeles Times music critic Robert Hilburn.[10]
Critical reception
editReview scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [11] |
Entertainment Weekly | B+[12] |
Los Angeles Daily News | [13] |
The San Diego Union-Tribune | [14] |
Entertainment Weekly called the album "a wryly eccentric brand of white-bread pop laced with atmospheric keyboards, vibrant brass, and startling melodies."[12] Phoenix New Times deemed it "a kinky mix of art-rock gambol and earthy balladry."[15] Rolling Stone praised the "tart wit, sunshinedaydream melodicism and open-heart surge."[16]
Trouser Press labeled the album "a joyous album of off-kilter pure pop."[17] The Dayton Daily News stated: "Quirky yet infectious, this art-pop fits with Pere Ubu's relatively accessible albums circa 1990."[7] The San Diego Union-Tribune considered Post Minstrel Syndrome to be the best debut album of 1997.[14]
AllMusic wrote that the album "is like a breath of fresh air, a no-man's land where the politics and social vision of C.L.R. James meet Spike Lee in the home of Big Joe Turner's R&B, and primal, snaky rock & roll."[11]
Track listing
editNo. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Birdcage" | |
2. | "If You Would Have Traveled on the 93 North Today" | |
3. | "Submarine Down" | |
4. | "The Meaning of Everything" | |
5. | "Miss Jones" | |
6. | "Buzzing" | |
7. | "Doubting Uncle Tom" | |
8. | "Ghetto Godot" | |
9. | "The Great Leap Forward" | |
10. | "MacArthur Park" | |
11. | "2 Inch Dick Mobile" | |
12. | "Omegaville" | |
13. | "Witch" |
References
edit- ^ DeRogatis, Jim (January 1, 2003). Turn on Your Mind: Four Decades of Great Psychedelic Rock. Hal Leonard Corporation.
- ^ Ward, Ed (August 4, 2002). "Wry, Tuneful Stories, All in 4-Minute Songs". The New York Times.
- ^ Scribner, Sara (7 Mar 1998). "From Artful Noise to an Album with a Buzz; Mark Stewart leads the Negro Problem into pop turf". Calendar. Los Angeles Times. p. 1.
- ^ Shipes, Gary (December 19, 1997). "Problem Solved". The Stuart News. p. D1.
- ^ Tayler, Letta (24 Mar 1998). "Texas Rocks: Sounds of past and future rip through Austin". Newsday. p. B3.
- ^ Morris, Chris (Sep 6, 1997). "Flag Waving". Billboard. Vol. 109, no. 36. pp. 89–90.
- ^ a b Underwood, Bob (29 Aug 1997). "Recordings in Brief". Go!. Dayton Daily News. p. 19.
- ^ Wener, Ben (January 23, 1998). "What's in a Name?". Orange County Register. p. F43.
- ^ "The Negro Problem Biography". AllMusic.
- ^ "Negro Problem". Austin American-Statesman. 12 Mar 1998. p. 24.
- ^ a b "Post Minstrel Syndrome The Negro Problem". AllMusic.
- ^ a b "Post Minstrel Syndrome". Entertainment Weekly.
- ^ Shuster, Fred (2 Jan 1998). "Sound Check". Los Angeles Daily News. p. L25.
- ^ a b Varga, George (December 18, 1997). "'Syndrome' is sure to capture awards for literate ensemble". Entertainment. The San Diego Union-Tribune. p. 9.
- ^ Scribner, Sara. "Problem Solved". Phoenix New Times.
- ^ Fricke, David (Feb 5, 1998). "On the Edge". Rolling Stone. No. 779. p. 60.
- ^ "Negro Problem". Trouser Press. Retrieved 22 January 2022.