Released in 1982. there is little doubt of the influence and greatness that surrounds Under the Big Black Sun. X was an up and coming band riding the punk/new wave train with two incendiary albums, Los Angeles (1980), and Wild Gift, a year later. Signed to punk label, Slash, X decided to widen their audience with a signing to Elektra Records. That label debut was the excellent and unforgettable Under The Big Black Sun.
With the fiery guitars of John Doe, and Billy Zoom, the manic drumming of DJ Bonebrake, and the sexy but ‘in your face’ singing of Exene Cervenka. Of this album, there is no question that its frenetic mix of country, rock, punk, and neo surf (like Cramps), was one of the more important and memorable albums of the ’80s. X was never able to match the intensity of it again.
Myself, the album stayed on a tight rotation that found it back on the turntable more than many others of the time.
On April 29, Real Gone Music does fans a justice by reissuing the 1982 classic, fattening up this gem with previously reissued five bonus tracks that include a single edit of “Riding With Mary”, a rehearsal of “El Paso” along with a TV mix instrumental of “Because I Do”, a live performance track of “Universal Corner”, a single edit of “Breathless”, and a live cut of “How I (Learned My Lesson”. These bonus tracks were included on a 2001 reissue but has been out of print for some time. This reissue brings it back with a new remaster.
That sax on “Come Back to Me”!! I love it!
Glad to see X finally getting some love. It’s been a while since the concert DVD came out. I had the luck of seeing them along with Lords Of The New Church in Pittsburgh when More Fun In The New World came out. They did play alot off of this one and New World of course. The first 4 records from X are indispensible.