Ain't Love Grand

Product Description:

X: John Doe (vocals, bass); Exene Cervenka (vocals); Billy Zoom (guitar, saxophone); D.J. Bonebrake (drums, percussion).

Additional personnel includes: Don Dokken (background vocals).

Producer: Michael Wagener.

Reissue producers: Gary Stewart, John Doe.

Recorded at Amigo Studios, North Hollywood, California in 1985. Originally released on Elektra (60430). Includes liner notes by Kristine McKenna.

With this, their fifth album, X broke with former producer Ray Manzarek and his no-frills approach (comparable to the first few albums of his original band, the Doors). While the songwriting still carries the same essential character, there's an added production gloss this time out. Tellingly, those production touches now sound like they are indeed from another era, whereas the previous four releases (LOS ANGELES, WILD GIFT, UNDER THE BIG BLACK SUN, and MORE FUN IN THE NEW WORLD) sound positively contemporary.

While this is by no means a weak album--it is X after all--it would not be an effective starting point for anyone unfamiliar with the band's more influential output. However, the great songs here are plentiful, and include "Burning House of Love," "My Soul Cries Your Name," "Around My Heart," and "Little Honey" (co-written with ex-Blaster Dave Alvin, who joined the group briefly when Billy Zoom departed).