Social Studies | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | 1999 | |||
Genre | Folk, satire | |||
Length | 52:08 | |||
Label | Hannibal[1] | |||
Producer | Joe Boyd, John Wood | |||
Loudon Wainwright III chronology | ||||
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Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Robert Christgau | ![]() |
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Rolling Stone | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Social Studies is a studio album by Loudon Wainwright III, released in 1999.[6][7] The album comprises various topical and satirical songs, originally produced for National Public Radio and based upon then-current issues and events, such as the Tonya Harding scandal, the O. J. Simpson murder trial, the lead-up to Y2K, and controversies surrounding comments made by former Republican U.S. Senator Jesse Helms.[8]
Regarding the album's topical nature, Wainwright notes: "It's something that no-one does anymore; write songs about current events. When I was young there were a lot of topical songwriters around; maybe folk music had more impact on culture back then. I see these songs as a kind of musical journalism. My father was a journalist, for Life magazine, and I've definitely inherited something of that approach."[9]
Production
[edit]The album was written over a period of 15 years, with Wainwright composing on his Martin guitar.[10][11] It was produced by Joe Boyd and John Wood.[12] NPR declined to air several of the songs that eventually became part of the album's track listing.[13]
Critical reception
[edit]Rolling Stone wrote that "the best political songs combine passionate commitment and analytic command, laced with streaks of black humor, as in prime Mekons or Gil Scott-Heron."[5] The Guardian deemed Social Studies "largely an album about alienation, anonymous telephone sex, and a society that lives vicariously, either through the OJ soap opera, or by watching TV news."[14]
The Boston Globe thought that the album "shines with the same wise-guy wit, but also with a kind-eyed empathy that gives even his goofiest songs a sage maturity and warm emotional resonance."[15] The Independent opined that Wainwright "is as wry and acid as ever, but most tracks should probably have remained one-off live broadcasts, as intended."[16]
Track listing
[edit]All tracks composed by Loudon Wainwright III
- "What Gives" – 3:29
- "Tonya's Twirls" – 3:37
- "New Street People" – 2:50
- "Carmine Street" – 2:57
- "O.J." – 3:13
- "Leap Of Faith" – 2:53
- "Conspiracies" – 2:17
- "Christmas Morning" – 3:36
- "Y2K" – 6:13
- "Number One" – 3:39
- "Bad Man" – 3:21
- "Inaugural Blues" – 3:19
- "Our Boy Bill" – 3:11
- "Jesse Don't Like It" – 4:06
- "Pretty Good Day" – 4:19
Personnel
[edit]- Loudon Wainwright III - guitar, vocals
- The Roches - vocals
- John Scofield - electric guitar
- Greg Cohen - bass, piano
- Richard Crooks - drums, percussion
- Peter Ecklund - trumpet, cornet
- David Mansfield - guitar, harmonica, violin, mandolin
- Jenni Muldaur - vocals
- Ken Pearson - organ, piano
- Lenny Pickett - clarinet, saxophone
- Chaim Tannenbaum - banjo, harmonica, vocals
Release history
[edit]- CD: Hannibal HNCD 1442
References
[edit]- ^ "Sweethearts of the Jukebox: Parsons, Carpenter, Wainwright". July 12, 1999.
- ^ "Social Studies - Loudon Wainwright III | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
- ^ "Robert Christgau: CG: Artist 838". www.robertchristgau.com.
- ^ The Encyclopedia of Popular Music – Colin Larkin – Google Books
- ^ a b Loudon Wainwright III: Social Studies : Music Reviews : Rolling Stone
- ^ "Loudon Wainwright III Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic.
- ^ Alden, Grant; Blackstock, Peter (September 15, 2009). "No Depression # 78: Family Style". University of Texas Press – via Google Books.
- ^ "Loudon Wainwright III Mocks The News". MTV News.[dead link]
- ^ "Loudon Wainwright III". Lw3.com. 1999-06-20. Archived from the original on 2011-07-27. Retrieved 2012-01-12.
- ^ "Loudon Wainwright III Does His Homework". exclaim.ca.
- ^ "Triple A". CMJ New Music Report. CMJ Network, Inc. July 26, 1999 – via Google Books.
- ^ "Reviews & Previews". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. July 24, 1999 – via Google Books.
- ^ Knopper, Steve (23 Sep 1999). "LOUDON WAINWRIGHT III 'Social Studies'". Newsday. p. C7.
- ^ Denselow, Robin (16 July 1999). "Music: Pop CD releases Loudon Wainwright III Social Studies (Hannibal/Rykodisc)". The Guardian. Friday. p. 18.
- ^ Alarik, Scott (15 Oct 1999). "NEXT ACT, OFFSTAGE". The Boston Globe. p. D15.
- ^ Barber, Nicholas (25 July 1999). "CD REVIEWS". The Independent. Features. p. 9.