Afghan Whigs Black Love [Deluxe Edition] (2-CD)

3 Stars - Good - "...there are elements of originality to be found in the way Afghan Whigs fuse alternative rock's victim mentality with funk and soul to find a moment of transcendence..."
8 - Very Good - "...wisely emphasizes the band's exceptional qualities and de-emphasizes the alt-rock overlays....when a couple of songs, like the magnificent 'Going To Town' and 'Faded,' use dance beats or gospel straight-up, Afghan Whigs never quite offer the mere soul recital..."
4 Stars - Excellent - "...its mature aspirations and stylish gait stand tall amongst the sorry, derivative imports that constitute this year's 'American Invasion'..."
Ranked #8 on Melody Maker's list of 1996's 'Albums Of The Year.'
Bloody Essential - "...reeks of suspicion, doubt, paranoia, double-dealing and retribution....The Whigs' brand of rock has a kind of rich meatiness which not only marks them as quintessentially male...but also gives their slabby, prime-steak sound a suffocating darkness and density..."
"...seeking new and inventive ways to depict a soul on fire...BLACK LOVE...portrays lust, revenge, anger and other juicy stuff with [Dulli's] usual impressive fervor..."
RIP (5/96, p.16) - 3 - Meat & Potatoes - "...the band excels, approaching genuine rock intrigue and mystery. Dulli's vocals on 'Blame Etc.' really triumph with a frightening quality that is quite unique among today's plethora of pseudo-deep intellectuality."
Ranked #31 in NME's 1996 critic's poll.
9 (out of 10) - "...the albums they make are the closest pop ever comes to imitating a novel--and not after a self-conscious, Lou Reed fashion, but with all the light and shade that a well-structured novel casts..."