Black Pudding
Mark Lanegan · 2013
44 min · 12 tracks · alternative rock
A haunting blend of Americana, blues, and grunge that showcases Lanegan's gravelly voice against minimalist instrumentation.
Top tracks — play these first
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Black Pudding Start here — The title track encapsulates the album's themes of loss and yearning through sparse instrumentation and Lanegan's emotive vocal delivery.
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Death Rides a White Horse — This track stands out for its vivid storytelling and atmospheric build-up, illustrating Lanegan's ability to weave dark narratives into his music.
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Mescalito — With its slower tempo and reflective lyrics, this song highlights Lanegan's unique fusion of folk and rock influences, showcasing his versatility as an artist.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album's stark sound and experimental approach highlight Lanegan's unique voice within alternative rock.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a title track that features a slow, deliberate tempo and sparse instrumentation, setting a haunting tone.
- Lanegan's vocals are consistently layered with reverb, creating an atmospheric quality that permeates the entire record.
- Several tracks incorporate unconventional song structures, such as 'Death Rides a White Horse,' which shifts dynamics unexpectedly.
- The last three tracks feature a gradual increase in tempo and intensity, culminating in the more energetic 'Manchester Special.'
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
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.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- haunting vocal delivery throughout
- dynamic emotional shifts present
- wave-like pacing with resolution
- reflective moments for quiet listening
Maybe skip if you
- prefer upbeat, fast-paced tracks
- seek instant gratification in music
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Critical Peak — Represents a strong artistic statement, showcasing Lanegan's lyrical depth and sound evolution.
- Career context
- Released in 2013, Black Pudding came out after Lanegan's extensive work with Queens of the Stone Age and his participation in various collaborative projects. This album represents a return to his solo roots, following his 2012 collaboration with Duke Garwood on the album 'Black Pudding', which set a tone of introspection and raw honesty.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Greg Dulli· Nick Cave· Jeff Buckley
Tracklist
- 1 Black Pudding Start here 2:54
- 2 Pentacostal 3:58
- 3 War Memorial 2:13
- 4 Mescalito 6:17
- 5 Sphinx 3:27
- 6 Last Rung 1:56
- 7 Driver 3:30
- 8 Death Rides a White Horse 3:58
- 9 Thank You 2:48
- 10 Cold Molly 4:28
- 11 Shade of the Sun 3:59
- 12 Manchester Special 4:49
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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