Under the Big Black Sun

Infobox Album
Name = Under the Big Black Sun
Type = Studio album
Artist = X


Released = July 1982
Recorded = 1982, Cherokee Studios, Los Angeles
Length = 33:45
Label = Elektra
Producer = Ray Manzarek
Reviews =
*Allmusic Rating|5|5 [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:g01gtq9ztu44 link]
*Robert Christgau (A-) [http://www.robertchristgau.com/get_artist.php?name=x link]
*"Rolling Stone" Rating|4|5 [http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/x/albums/album/243618/review/6067785/under_the_big_black_sun link]
Last album = "Wild Gift"
(1981)
This album = Under the Big Black Sun
(1982)
Next album = "More Fun in the New World"
( 1983)

"Under the Big Black Sun" is the third album by the American punk band X, and their major-label debut. It was released on Elektra Records in 1982, and reissued on Rhino Records in 2001 with bonus tracks.

The album was listed by band member Exene Cervenka as her favorite X album. Much of the material, including the album's title track, written after the tragic, untimely death of Cervenka's sister Mireille (Mary) in an automobile accident in April 1980. The stark black & white cover art was also a reflection of the mood of the band, particularly Ms. Cervenka, during this difficult and painful time.

The overall sound of the record still contains the hard-edged, fast-paced punk rock that became the band's trademark, but a more country and blues sound had also emerged from the mournful period. The album even contains a rare X slow song, "Come Back to Me," done in a 50s "doo-wop" style that is, once again, a tribute to Mary Cervenka. A fast-paced version of Lead Belly's song "Dancing with Tears in My Eyes" with a country-swing style that the band had never before or since emulated, was also a tribute to Mary.

Track listing

All tracks written by John Doe and Exene Cervenka except as indicated.

ide one

# "The Hungry Wolf" – 3:45
# "Motel Room in My Bed" – 2:32
# "Riding with Mary" – 3:40
# "Come Back to Me" – 3:43
# "Under the Big Black Sun" – 3:23
# "Because I Do" – 2:21

ide two

# "Blue Spark" – 2:06
# "Dancing with Tears in My Eyes" (Huddy Ledbetter) – 2:20
# "Real Child of Hell" – 2:59
# "How I (Learned My Lesson)" – 2:12
# "The Have Nots" – 4:44

Bonus tracks (2001 reissue)

# "Riding with Mary" (Single version) – 3:12
# X Rewrites "El Paso" (Rehearsal)/"Because I Do" (TV Mix/Instrumental)" (Marty Robbins, Cervenka, Doe) – 2:56
# "Universal Corner" (Live) – 4:08
# "Breathless" (Single mix) (Otis Blackwell) – 2:20
# "How I (Learned My Lesson)" (Live) – 2:20

Personnel

*John Doe – bass, vocals
*Exene Cervenka – vocals
*Billy Zoom – guitar, saxophone, clarinet
*D.J. Bonebrake – drums, marimba vibes, percussion

Additional personnel

*Ray Manzarek – keyboards on "Riding with Mary" (Single version)

Charts

Album