The Afghan Whigs - What Jail Is Like

A solid, underrated recording by the Afghan Whigs

The What Jail is Like EP is not only a great vehicle for the title track (from the impressive album Gentlemen), but a superb collection of studio covers and live cuts.

The EP opens with the song "What Jail Is Like," a harrowing tune that splices splintered guitars with chiming piano. Definitely one of the best songs from Gentlemen, this is the band at their best, a song both soothing and jarring simultaniously. A cover of the Ass Ponies' "Mr. Superlove" is a surprisingly effective song, a dark song about abuse. The lyrics are given surprising clarity over singer Greg Dulli's overdriven guitar and a *banjo* (a gesture toward the slight twang the Whigs sometimes used).

The next two tracks, James Carr's "Dark End of the Street" and the Rodgers & Hart classic "Little Girl Blue" are some of the best songs the Afghan Whigs have ever recorded. Lots of piano (thanks to Howlin' Maggie frontman/longtime Whigs goon Harold Chichester) and string accompaniment make these songs sublime and eerie (in a gorgeous way).

The last trio, live versions of "What Jail Is Like," "Now You Know," and the Supremes' "My World Is Empty Without You/I Hear a Symphony," give a great peek into the versitility of the band's live show. The band shows they're just as passionate on stage as they were in the studio.

The What Jail Is Like EP is a great recording, and probably my favorite by the Whigs. I highly recommend it. January 8, 2003

super value

This cd is a great value for the money--it only has seven songs, but it has the emotional depth of a full-length album. "Mr. Superlove" is a great song. The live versions of "What Jail is Like," "Now You Know" and "My World is Empty Without You/I Hear a Symphony" are just as awesome as one could hope they would be. Note: this may be the sort of thing that may be interesting only to me, but Gram Parsons also recorded a version of "Dark End of the Street." August 13, 2002

kickin'

great disc. 'dark end of the street' is dark, moody, classic whigs. 'My World Is Empty Without You/I Hear A Symphony' is great, too. really gives you a feel for what they sound like live. get this. now. June 7, 1999

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