Getting Larger, Pt. II

The last post made me think of Black Rock and Ron's 1989 debut, Stop the World (RCA). When they weren't biting Run-DMC's arched-brow back-and-forths or mimicking the Ultramagnetic MCs' propensity for density, this somewhat forgotten New York trio could probably be found reading the British music papers to see if they had overtaken the Jesus and Mary Chain yet on the UK charts.

It's Raw comes from the UK pressing of BRR's debut. The cover of the UK pressing features the trio standing in outer space, regarding a picture of the Earth, scratching their heads, trying to figure out a way to stop it, probably so they can then figure out how they ended up charting in England but not in their own backyard. As far as I recall, neither this literalization of the album title nor "It's Raw" appeared on the stateside release. (That image up there? I have no idea what it is. The German release, perhaps? Trust me, the bemusement is richer on the UK sleeve.) Between the melted Bob James sample wobbling in the background and Paul C's trigger-happy drum programs, "It's Raw" sounds like the world, literally, is stumbling to a halt. Or warping. Either one, really.

It really does not seem "raw," not in the sense of the word they were likely reaching for.

Posted by Hua at January 14, 2005 01:07 PM