What makes Black Gold by Soul Asylum notable?

'Black Gold' is notable for its critical reception and chart performance, reaching number one on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart. The album's single 'Somebody to Shove' also contributed to its popularity, showcasing the band's ability to blend introspective lyrics with catchy hooks, further solidifying their place in the alternative rock landscape of the early '90s. By the time 'Black Gold' was released in 1993, Soul Asylum had already achieved significant recognition with their earlier album, 'Grave Dancers Union.' This marked a transitional period for the band as they were moving from their breakthrough success into a phase of consolidation and experimentation in sound, seeking to maintain their relevance in the evolving alternative rock scene.

How many songs are on Black Gold?

Black Gold has 2 tracks, running approximately 7 minutes.

Black Gold

Soul Asylum · 1993

7 min · 2 tracks · alternative rock

Soul Asylum blends raw emotional honesty with dynamic alternative rock melodies in their 1993 release.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Black Gold (radio version) — This title track encapsulates the album's themes of struggle and hope, featuring an infectious chorus that resonated with listeners during a time of personal and societal uncertainty.
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Somebody to Shove (unplugged) — The unplugged version strips back the original’s instrumentation, highlighting the poignant lyrics and allowing the emotional weight of the song to shine through more clearly.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

45 /100

Lowland

Higher than 5% of albums we've rated

The single showcases strong songwriting but is limited in depth due to its brief tracklist.

What we noticed

The title track features a steady build-up, starting with a soft intro that crescendos into a powerful chorus.
The unplugged version of 'Somebody to Shove' strips down the original's instrumentation, focusing on vocal delivery and acoustic guitar.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 4/10

Influence 3/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — This single solidified Soul Asylum's recognition after 'Grave Dancers Union.'
Themes: personal struggle· societal uncertainty· raw emotional honesty
Career context: By the time 'Black Gold' was released in 1993, Soul Asylum had already achieved significant recognition with their earlier album, 'Grave Dancers Union.' This marked a transitional period for the band as they were moving from their breakthrough success into a phase of consolidation and experimentation in sound, seeking to maintain their relevance in the evolving alternative rock scene.
Stylistic neighbors: Gin Blossoms· Counting Crows· Bush