John Cale - blackAcetate
By: Tyler Watson | Category: Album Reviews | 01/03/06 | 11:47 PM
 |  |  Grade: B- | Genre: Experimental Rock
Summary: blackAcetate isn't a fantastic album, but it's still rock solid. People aren't supposed to be this good once they're done with a popular band (Velvet Underground), but John Cale somehow pulls it off.
Ex-cellists shouldn't rock this much. What right does the guy, that turned more than one Velvet Underground song into a screeching auditory weapon, have to come back decades later and make a solid album? Everybody knows that people this old are supposed to suck. You put out good music for a short while after your band ends, then you either give up entirely or disappoint fans with the music you keep putting out. I guess John Cale just didn't want to go out the Lou Reed way. Don't get me wrong. Lou Reed is badass numero uno in my mind for all eternity. It's just he isn't nearly as cool as he was. |
The magic of this album is the consistency. No, it's nothing great, and yes, those that buy it will probably not be very impressed by it, but that doesn't mean it's bad. It's 12 good, almost super good, songs and 1 lame song. (Can you guess the one? Hint: it's the one that's bad). If I weren't obligated to review this album, I probably never would have gotten into it. Actually, I probably would never have bought it since I base my purchases on cover art, mostly. Whoops. This means it's my duty as a reviewer to tell all of you that this is worth your time and bills. Upon the first couple listens, you may become bored and ache for Velvet Underground & Nico. Be warned! Listen to it once or twice more, and you'll be strangely attracted. You'll ask yourself questions like, "How is his voice so high on 'OuttaTheBag?' Why hasn't he done that falsetto before?" and "Why does this album art suck so much? This is a strong album!" These questions can't be answered, but by listening to blackAcetate some more, you can at least enjoy yourself amidst your confusion.
I don't know any sort of back-story with blackAcetate. My press release informs me that he has worked with Super Furry Animals (which makes him cool with me), and that he's currently feeling the Gorillaz. Also, he loves the production that Dr. Dre has done. "Gravel Drive" is a love song to Cale's daughter Eden, which I did not know and would not have guessed. I just thought it was a nice little song with some sparse harmonizing. For those of you who don't know, Cale has produced all kinds of awesome music. The Stooges, Patti Smith, and Happy Mondays all owe him big time. His production skills show on blackAcetate. It all sounds exactly like it needs to. Here Cale has assembled everything correctly for his album, and it turns out well. There's just nothing about it that grabs you. The first song, "OuttaTheBag," has Cale singing in a falsetto, which is enticing, but then the rest of the songs just sound like songs. My advice goes like this: if you want to listen to John Cale, head towards the Velvet Underground. Sorry, but that's how it is.
Release Date: October 18, 2005
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