| Black Sheep | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compilation album by Ra | ||||
| Released | June 9, 2009 on iTunes (US) | |||
| Recorded | 1994-2009 | |||
| Genre | Alternative metal, Progressive rock, Rap-rock, Nu-metal | |||
| Length | 65:48 | |||
| Label | Sahaja Music/Federal Distribution | |||
| Producer | Ra | |||
| Ra chronology | ||||
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| Professional ratings | |
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| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| The Tune | link |
| Shipwreck Island Studios | |
Black Sheep is a rarities album by American rock band Ra; being their fifth release total, including their live album. It includes a collection of B-sides and demos that go back to 1994. Ra's newest single "Supernova" is featured on the album - "Supernova" was digitally released on June 9, 2009.
The only previously released song is Crazy Little Voices. It was originally released in 1999 as part of The Rage: Carrie 2 (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack). Rap/hip hop vocals are prevalent in the album and in the songs: The Foundation, Busted, Chained To The Ground, and Deliverance. The album's most straight-up, heavy metal song is Baghdad; in this way, it is similar to Parole from Ra's debut album, From One.
Black Sheep was digitally released on iTunes, but was never released for physical purchasing in retail stores.
During the outro of the song "Chained to the Ground," the musicians play a part of Black Sabbath's "War Pigs."
Contents |
1. Cross of snow Written by Sahaj Ticotin and Nandi Johannes Performed by Sahaj Ticotin- Bass, vox, Nandi Johannes- Guitars and Frank Katz- Drums
1994-One of the first songs to capture what eventually would become Ra's sound. Notice the Arabic influence and the stop and go chorus...just like in "Rectifier"
2. Yesterday's rain Written by Sahaj Ticotin and Nandi Johannes Performed by Sahaj Ticotin- Bass, vox, Nandi Johannes- Guitars and Frank Katz- Drums
1994-Another example of early Ra development as well as the constant references to the sun. Written about Kurt Cobains death.
3. The Foundation Written by Sahaj Ticotin Performed by Sahaj Ticotin- guitars, vox, Skoota Warner- Drums, Kirk Lyons- Bass
1996- In mid 90's, rap rock was all the rage and as a band from NYC we did our part to interpret the times. While I did honestly like the movement, ultimately is wasn't the area where Ra's strength lay. This song landed a deal with Sony- Edel America Records.
4. Crazy Little Voices Written by Sahaj Ticotin and Nandi Johannes Performed by Sahaj Ticotin- Guitars, Skoota Warner- Drums, Pete Williamson- bass
1999-This was a later version of the original song released by Edel America featured in the move "The Rage- Carrie 2"
5. Chained to the ground Written by Sahaj Ticotin and Skoota Warner Performed by Sahaj Ticotin- Guitars, Skoota Warner- Drums, Pete Williamson- bass
1999-Another rap rock attempt, quite funny to me but nonetheless I always liked the chorus and most notedly, the outro is the inspiration for the outro in "Skorn"
6. Deliverance Written by Sahaj Ticotin and Skoota Warner Performed by Sahaj Ticotin- Guitars, Skoota Warner- Drums, Pete Williamson- bass
1999- If chained to the ground is funny then this one is just stupid but i thought it had some good energy
7. Busted Written by Sahaj Ticotin Performed by Sahaj Ticotin- Guitars, Skoota Warner- Drums, Pete Williamson- bass and Dave Aaron- slide guitar
2000- This song was originally all rapped but when sung had a cool vibe to it. A successful song for Ra, it landed quite a few meetings at major labels.
8. U need me Written by Sahaj Ticotin, Dave Aaron and Pete Williamson Performed by Sahaj Ticotin- Guitars, Skoota Warner- Drums, Pj Farley- Bass
2004- Recorded for the "Duality" session, this is a creepy song about a serial killer who stalks his victim from his window. It later felt too dark for the record which I was instructed to make lighter.
9. What I am Written by Sahaj Ticotin Performed by Sahaj Ticotin- Guitars, Skoota Warner- Drums, Pj Farley- Bass
2004- Also recorded for the "Duality" sessions, this is a beautiful song about the deepest suicidal feelings. I absolutely love the guitar tones on this track...again it was too dark for the powers that be.
10. Who's to blame Written by Sahaj Ticotin and Ben Carroll Performed by Sahaj Ticotin- Guitars, Skoota Warner- Drums, Pj Farley- Bass, Ben Carroll- Guitar
2004-2009 Remixed and mastered for 2009 this trak laments about the worst kind of dying relationship... the stale one.
11. Not in your head Written by Sahaj Ticotin Performed by Sahaj Ticotin- Guitars, Skoota Warner- Drums, Pj Farley- Bass
2004- Sometimes a really good song gets lost when u record it. Digitally sped up it has some sound degradation but the elements of this song could have been great... Notice the bridge is the chorus from "Chained to the ground"
12. What I'm about Written by Spencer Proffer Performed by Sahaj Ticotin- Guitars, Skoota Warner- Drums
2005- This was for a TV show about Frankenstein that never caught on. Always thought it was a great song though...
13. Seen all good people Written by Yes Performed by Sahaj Ticotin- Guitars, Skoota Warner- Drums
2005- Commissioned by ESPN this cover was used on a few sports shows for the network. I thought it was well executed and should include it here...
14. Baghdad Written by Sahaj Ticotin Performed by Sahaj Ticotin- Guitars, Skoota Warner- Drums and Ben Carroll- guitar
1998-2005 Still relevant today, the original version of this song was recorded in 1991!! When there was the first gulf war! This version was one of the first things I ever wrote on 7 string guitar and recorded the basic traks in 1998. Ben and I added the dueling guitar solos in 2005... loose production but fun anyway...
15. Supernova Written by Sahaj Ticotin Performed by Sahaj Ticotin- Guitars, vox, Andy Ryan- Drums, Ben Carroll- Guitar, PJ Farley- Bass
2009- When the sun dies it sinks in on itself until it reaches a critical density and releases a massive amount of energy called a supernova... it either dies or lives on to become a black hole.
Hopefully this will help u with understanding the intent of the record. We wanted to show how a band struggles with identity until it finds itself. Pick and choose what u dload if u wish but the whole record is $9.99 on itunes which works out to $.666 per song. (it really does... I don't know if that's good or not) Thanx to all and we love u guys.- Sahaj