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Rating: "I know your ass is fine, and I'm the only who can say that is mine"
With the brilliant intro of "Her Against Me", Dulli presents us with his new mixed-race offspring, child of a white man, Mr. Alternative Rock, and a black woman, Mrs. Soul, who, by bringing their beloved "Congregation" to light, prove to be good parents.
The songs on the album reflect the intense stylistic journey that Dulli is undergoing, blending multiple genres (as David Byrne did with the Talking Heads in "Fear of Music") and succeeding in his mission perfectly.
The well-crafted guitar riffs denote a long drafting process for the composition of the songs, which are now far from the aggressive impulse of the hurried and more direct "Up In It" and "post-grunge era".
With songs like "I'm Her Slave"; "Conjure Me" or the stunning "This is My Confession", the album sends its assault troops, and when the battle is over, it delights us with pieces like "Tonight"; "Let Me Lie to You" and the untitled track that hides in the twelfth track of the album, but proves to be a song worthy of being placed in the top spots of the tracklist.
The surprise is definitely the cover of "The Temple", a song taken from the famous musical "Jesus Christ Superstar" and, when reinterpreted by the group, gains more emphasis, even if Dulli remains faithful to the original, playing the guitar riffs perfectly and playing with the highs and lows of the song, which puts his vocal endurance to the test.
Although critics preferred "Gentleman" as the best album by the Afghan Whigs, I recommend "Congregation" because albums like this have never been replicated in the history of music, and I therefore consider it worthy of a 5-star rating.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
01 Her Against Me (00:47)
(Dulli)
eat my imagination
taste my imaginary friend
i know your ass is fine
but i'm the only who one can say...
that it's mine
02 I'm Her Slave (02:59)
(Dulli)
get off that stuff she said
and i'll stone you instead
unchain yourself said she
and tie yourself to me
i'm on the floor
i play with knives
you can call and ask your wife
she's been over once or twice
likes to use me
and i'm her slave
but i don't need no chains
i'll behave
give me more of what i've come to expect
wrap your love around my neck
understand me when i say
you'll deny me
03 Turn on the Water (04:18)
(Dulli/McCollum/Curley/Earle)
untie the boat and turn on the water
i'm gone, i'm gone, i'm gone
it's alright
untie the boat and turn on the water
i'm gone, i'm gone, i'm gone
it's alright
carry me out deep into the ocean
save me a prayer and let me over the side
untie the boat and turn on the water
i'm gone, i'm gone, i'm gone
but it's alright
and you can hold me down
but don't you let me breathe
let it wash all over me
let it wash all over me
they cut off my head, child and gave it away
and poisoned the people i wanted to save
and left me here dark and rolling around
i'm gone, i'm gone, i'm gone
but it's alright
04 Conjure Me (04:03)
(Dulli/McCollum/Curley/Earle)
i smell your blood, my love
but i can't taste it yet
i have your mind, my love
but i can't waste it yet
please understand my love
i find this sickening
my head is ice my love
my skin is thickening
but oh! my love
we could still be friends
and oh! my love
with me you must contend
i'm gonna turn on you before you turn on me
i'm gonna turn on you can you conjure me?
and walk the mile into this web of my conspiracy
i'm gonna turn on you before you turn on me
i'm in a hole
but i don't feel the safety net
i have your soul
but i am wasting it
but oh! my love
we could still be friends
and oh! my love
with me you must contend
08 Dedicate It (03:22)
(Dulli)
my love don't comfort me
she toys with my sincerity
on that i can depend
i've found that nothing's straight
my twisted mind is bent all out of shape
but you will come back
and you will live on
indeed i know
but you wouldn't lie when i told you to
had to waste your time and tell the truth
this one is three, this is one is three
indeed i know
you got me figured out now
now we're both disappointed
what's done is now undone
let's cut the line and have the action
in time i will be able to give
10 Let Me Lie to You (04:36)
(Dulli)
all alone, all alone
no one to play with
your eyes are all swollen from crying
feeling sick
you open it
and discover your lover between the legs of another
and he's loving it
let me lie to you
i'll be kind when i deceive you
but you must never question me
just quietly believe
there, there
you haven't a care
i won't ever hurt you, deny or desert you
don't ask me again
wake up! and listen to thee
someone must have told you
someone must control you before you can get free
11 Tonight (03:42)
(Dulli)
hey, baby there's a vampire moon
scaling the sky
shine in your room
your eyes are open
you got nothing to do
come outside and play with me
tonight
follow me down to the bushes dear
no one will know
we'll disappear
i'll hold your hand
we'll never tell
our private little trip to hell
tonight
can i walk you home tonight?
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