← Back

Bloodletting

by Concrete Blonde

Released: May 15, 1990

Alternative rock, gothic rock

musicOnOff editorial

Why This Album Matters

This album matters because its strongest editorial story is: Breakthrough.

The Album

"Bloodletting" is the third studio album by the American alternative rock band Concrete Blonde, released in 1990. Featuring haunting melodies, gritty guitar riffs, and introspective lyrics, "Bloodletting" explores themes of love, loss, and redemption. The album's title track, "Bloodletting (The Vampire Song)," became one of Concrete Blonde's most iconic songs, with its darkly romantic lyrics and atmospheric instrumentation.

Stories and details

Interesting Facts

Other standout tracks on the album include "Joey,"…

Other standout tracks on the album include "Joey," a heartfelt ballad about addiction and codependency, and "Caroline," a haunting tale of obsession and betrayal.

Start listening here

Essential Tracks

Bloodletting (The Vampire Song)

The album's title track, "Bloodletting (The Vampire Song)," became one of Concrete Blonde's most iconic songs, with its darkly romantic lyrics and atmospheric instrumentation.

Caroline

Other standout tracks on the album include "Joey," a heartfelt ballad about addiction and codependency, and "Caroline," a haunting tale of obsession and betrayal.

Joey

Other standout tracks on the album include "Joey," a heartfelt ballad about addiction and codependency, and "Caroline," a haunting tale of obsession and betrayal.

Watch and listen

Explore the Album

Concrete Blonde - Bloodletting

Open in Albums Gallery

Then

Reception

The album also features a cover of Leonard Cohen's "Everybody Knows," which was prominently featured in the film "Pump Up the Volume." "Bloodletting" received widespread critical acclaim upon its release, with critics praising Concrete Blonde's evocative songwriting, singer Johnette Napolitano's powerful vocals, and the band's dynamic musical arrangements. The album's commercial success helped solidify Concrete Blonde's reputation as one of the most compelling and influential alternative rock bands of the late 1980s and early 1990s. The album is widely regarded as the band's most successful and critically acclaimed work, showcasing their unique blend of rock, punk, and gothic influences.

Now

Legacy

The album is widely regarded as the band's most successful and critically acclaimed work, showcasing their unique blend of rock, punk, and gothic influences.

Full background

The Complete Album Story

"Bloodletting" is the third studio album by the American alternative rock band Concrete Blonde, released in 1990. The album is widely regarded as the band's most successful and critically acclaimed work, showcasing their unique blend of rock, punk, and gothic influences.

Featuring haunting melodies, gritty guitar riffs, and introspective lyrics, "Bloodletting" explores themes of love, loss, and redemption. The album's title track, "Bloodletting (The Vampire Song)," became one of Concrete Blonde's most iconic songs, with its darkly romantic lyrics and atmospheric instrumentation.

Other standout tracks on the album include "Joey," a heartfelt ballad about addiction and codependency, and "Caroline," a haunting tale of obsession and betrayal. The album also features a cover of Leonard Cohen's "Everybody Knows," which was prominently featured in the film "Pump Up the Volume."

"Bloodletting" received widespread critical acclaim upon its release, with critics praising Concrete Blonde's evocative songwriting, singer Johnette Napolitano's powerful vocals, and the band's dynamic musical arrangements. The album's commercial success helped solidify Concrete Blonde's reputation as one of the most compelling and influential alternative rock bands of the late 1980s and early 1990s.