What makes The Word and the Flesh by Band of Susans notable?

The album garnered significant attention within the underground music community, featuring prominently in college radio playlists. It helped to further establish Band of Susans as a key player in the noise rock genre, influencing subsequent acts with its innovative approach to guitar work and songwriting. Released in 1991, The Word and the Flesh was Band of Susans' third studio album, following their 1989 release, Love Agenda. At this point in their career, the band was solidifying their distinct sound, characterized by layered guitar textures and a confrontational lyrical style that set them apart from their contemporaries in the alternative rock scene.

How many songs are on The Word and the Flesh?

The Word and the Flesh has 11 tracks, running approximately 57 minutes.

The Word and the Flesh

Band of Susans · 1991

57 min · 11 tracks · alternative rock

A swirling blend of dissonant guitars and introspective lyrics that encapsulate the angst of early '90s alternative rock.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
Ice Age — The opening track sets a compelling tone with its urgent riffs and haunting vocals, establishing the album's thematic exploration of alienation.
→
Sermon on Competition, Part 2 — This track exemplifies the band's dissonant guitar interplay and sharp social commentary, reflecting the competitive nature of modern life.
→
Silver Lining — With its more melodic structure, this song contrasts sharply with the album's heavier moments while still delivering poignant lyrics about hope amidst despair.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

52 /100

Foothills

Higher than 38% of albums we've rated

The album's layered guitar work and thematic depth mark it as a notable entry in early '90s alternative rock.

What we noticed

The album features a dense layering of guitars, often creating a wall of sound that shifts in intensity throughout.
Several tracks incorporate abrupt tempo changes, with moments of quiet introspection followed by explosive crescendos.
Lyrics are delivered in a conversational style, often reflecting on themes of alienation and disconnection.
The final track is an instrumental piece that contrasts sharply with the preceding vocal-driven songs, providing a reflective conclusion.

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

Influence 4/10

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.

Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

Now Is Now

A shift in perspective occurs when the narrative voice directly addresses both personal introspection and societal pressures.

This moment marks a transition from self-reflection to an outward critique of external expectations, highlighting the tension between individual desire and societal norms.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Ice Age 5:29
2 Now Is Now 4:36
3 Trouble Follows 3:25
4 Plot Twist 4:22
5 Estranged Labor 4:41
6 Sermon on Competition, Part 2 5:00
7 Bitter and Twisted 3:13
8 Bad Timing 3:27
9 Tilt 5:06
10 Silver Lining 4:42
11 Guitar Trio 13:20

What to play next

Listen next

The Peel Sessions

1992

Go back to

Love Agenda

1989

Full Band of Susans discography Artists like Band of Susans

alternative rock

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata