Social Studies (Loudon Wainwright III album)

Social Studies is a studio album by Loudon Wainwright III, released in 1999.[6][7] The album comprises various topical and satirical songs, originally produced for National Public Radio and based upon then-current issues and events, such as the Tonya Harding scandal, the O. J. Simpson murder trial, the lead-up to Y2K, and controversies surrounding comments made by former Republican U.S. Senator Jesse Helms.[8]

Social Studies
Studio album by
Loudon Wainwright III
Released1999
GenreFolk, satire
Length52:08
LabelHannibal[1]
ProducerJoe Boyd, John Wood
Loudon Wainwright III chronology
BBC Sessions
(1998)		 Social Studies
(1999)		 Last Man on Earth
(2001)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[2]
Robert Christgau(1-star Honorable Mention)[3]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music[4]
Rolling Stone[5]

Regarding the album's topical nature, Wainwright notes: "It's something that no-one does anymore; write songs about current events. When I was young there were a lot of topical songwriters around; maybe folk music had more impact on culture back then. I see these songs as a kind of musical journalism. My father was a journalist, for Life magazine, and I've definitely inherited something of that approach."[9]

Production

The album was written over a period of 15 years, with Wainwright composing on his Martin guitar.[10][11] It was produced by Joe Boyd and John Wood.[12] NPR declined to air several of the songs that eventually became part of the album's track listing.[13]

Critical reception

Rolling Stone wrote that "the best political songs combine passionate commitment and analytic command, laced with streaks of black humor, as in prime Mekons or Gil Scott-Heron."[5] The Guardian deemed Social Studies "largely an album about alienation, anonymous telephone sex, and a society that lives vicariously, either through the OJ soap opera, or by watching TV news."[14]

The Boston Globe thought that the album "shines with the same wise-guy wit, but also with a kind-eyed empathy that gives even his goofiest songs a sage maturity and warm emotional resonance."[15] The Independent opined that Wainwright "is as wry and acid as ever, but most tracks should probably have remained one-off live broadcasts, as intended."[16]

Track listing

All tracks composed by Loudon Wainwright III

  1. "What Gives" – 3:29
  2. "Tonya's Twirls" – 3:37
  3. "New Street People" – 2:50
  4. "Carmine Street" – 2:57
  5. "O.J." – 3:13
  6. "Leap Of Faith" – 2:53
  7. "Conspiracies" – 2:17
  8. "Christmas Morning" – 3:36
  9. "Y2K" – 6:13
  10. "Number One" – 3:39
  11. "Bad Man" – 3:21
  12. "Inaugural Blues" – 3:19
  13. "Our Boy Bill" – 3:11
  14. "Jesse Don't Like It" – 4:06
  15. "Pretty Good Day" – 4:19

Personnel

Release history
  • CD: Hannibal HNCD 1442

References
  1. "Sweethearts of the Jukebox: Parsons, Carpenter, Wainwright". July 12, 1999.
  2. "Social Studies - Loudon Wainwright III | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
  3. "Robert Christgau: CG: Artist 838". www.robertchristgau.com.
  4. The Encyclopedia of Popular Music – Colin Larkin – Google Books
  5. Loudon Wainwright III: Social Studies : Music Reviews : Rolling Stone
  6. "Loudon Wainwright III Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic.
  7. Alden, Grant; Blackstock, Peter (September 15, 2009). "No Depression # 78: Family Style". University of Texas Press – via Google Books.
  8. "Loudon Wainwright III Mocks The News". MTV News.
  9. "Loudon Wainwright III". Lw3.com. 1999-06-20. Archived from the original on 2011-07-27. Retrieved 2012-01-12.
  10. "Loudon Wainwright III Does His Homework". exclaim.ca.
  11. "Triple A". CMJ New Music Report. CMJ Network, Inc. July 26, 1999 – via Google Books.
  12. "Reviews & Previews". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. July 24, 1999 – via Google Books.
  13. Knopper, Steve (23 Sep 1999). "LOUDON WAINWRIGHT III 'Social Studies'". Newsday. p. C7.
  14. Denselow, Robin (16 July 1999). "Music: Pop CD releases Loudon Wainwright III Social Studies (Hannibal/Rykodisc)". The Guardian. Friday. p. 18.
  15. Alarik, Scott (15 Oct 1999). "NEXT ACT, OFFSTAGE". The Boston Globe. p. D15.
  16. Barber, Nicholas (25 July 1999). "CD REVIEWS". The Independent. Features. p. 9.
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