Afghan Whigs

• Gentlemen [Elektra, 1993] A-
• What Jail Is Like [Elektra, 1994]
• Black Love [Elektra, 1996] *
• 1965 [Columbia, 1998]

Consumer Guide Reviews:

Gentlemen [Elektra, 1993]
No Butch Vig or Steve Albini tidying or toughening up this sucker--those conflicted guitars are a direct function of the singer-writer-producer-guitarist's agonized self-exposure/-examination. If the album wears down into covers and instrumentals, that's only to signify its spiritual exhaustion. No reason to trust Greg Dulli--just his brain selling his ass at a higher convolution. But anyone susceptible to simpler lines, as fisherman or prey, can learn plenty. And the jaded can appreciate the clean, snakelike trajectory of the cast. A-

What Jail Is Like [Elektra, 1994]
"My World Is Empty Without You/I Hear a Symphony"; "Mr. Superlove"

Black Love [Elektra, 1996]
doesn't know the Prince of Darkness as well as he thinks he does ("Double Day," "Going to Town") *

1965 [Columbia, 1998]