audio by artist black lab

Black Lab is that classic tragedy of the music industry: 

Band makes brilliant album.

Label doesn't push said album.

Band goes to record second album.

Label gets bought by bigger label.

Bigger label drops band and prohibits the release of already recorded material.

Band breaks up.

I have a special place in my heart with bands who went through all this nonsense, but Black Lab reigns supreme even amongst all the Dishwallas and Semisonics.  Their quashed dream seemed a bit more harrowing than their contemporaries.  That and Your Body Above Me was just flat-out genius - a true masterpiece of the '90s.

The time between Your Body Above Me and See the Sun was excruciating.  The boys moved between websites, switched labels, leaked demos and eventually wound up going indie (with only lead singer Paul Durham surviving the whole mess).  Only the most devoted of fans could keep up with the whole mess.  To this day, despite the frustrations I'm thankful I stuck with them.  Ultimately I was rewarded with the brilliance of See the Sun.

Enter Give us Sugar.  With their latest release, Paul and co. have one-upped the previous expectations, hopes and dreams of the Black Lab faithful by releasing not 1, but 2 CDs worth of re-mastered demos, b-sides and soundtrack songs encapsulating (mainly) the band's time between recording their first and second albums.  All the demos that were leaked in really crappy MP3s 10 years ago now are ready for download in WAV format - full CD quality.  Never thought I'd see the day.

I won't stand here and pretend they've delivered 32 tracks of pure bliss.  This is essentially a b-sides album, and b-sides are hit and miss.  That's why they're b-sides folks.  That being said, Lost Dogs from Pearl Jam was one hell of a b-sides album.  Give Us Sugar falls more along those lines than say Pisces Iscariot.  It's more hit than miss.  At just $15 it's quite a deal for 32 tracks.  Take a listen to Like I Used To for a taste of what's in store.

Check here for a full track listing, lyrics, stories behind the songs or to order Give Us Sugar.

Buy their music:  Official | Amazon | iTunes

Visit them online:  Official | Myspace 

 Yes, yes - I know that I've blogged entirely too much about Black Lab lately.  Thing is, that probably isn't going to stop any time soon.  These guys consistently put out some of the best music no one listens to, so someone needs to be singing their praises.  I figure it may as well be me.

Besides, who doesn't like free stuff?

Speaking of free stuff, the point of this post was to let you all know that Black Lab has announced they'll be giving away a free MP3 every moth rather than continuing the MP3 of the Month club.  Now, don't go expecting them to release "Wash It Away" or anything - these MP3s are all going to be "demos".  I use that term lightly, since those of you who know Black Lab already know that their demos are pretty damn polished.  Paul and Andy are working on a new album, so the free MP3s we're getting a peak at are the first editions of songs that may make it on the full length.

I subscribed to the MP3 of the Month club for a few years, so I have a pretty good idea as to what's in store.  One of my favorites from the MP3s of the Month was "Ghost in Your Mind", which found it's way onto Passion Leaves a Trace.  "Ghost in Your Mind" is probably my second favorite track off the album, and in the top 10 of all the Black Lab tracks I have.  That being said, this demo of "The Pain is Gone" is a better starting point.  It looks like the boys will be delivering us another gem soon...

I'll be updating you all with their new free MP3s of the month.  It looks like they're a bit behind right now, here's to hoping they don't let this slide...any and all Black Lab is welcome by me.

Anyways, here's the download link from their site:

[mp3] The Pain is Gone

Get their music:  Blacklabworld | Amazon | iTunes

Visit them online:  Official (Blacklabworld) | Myspace