Congregation (The Afghan Whigs album)

Congregation
Studio album by The Afghan Whigs
Released	January 31, 1992 (1992-01-31)
Recorded	July–September 1991
Studio	Bear Creek (Woodinville) Buzz's Kitchen (Los Angeles) Ultrasuede (Cincinnati)
Genre	Alternative rock indie rock R&B soul funk grunge
Length	44:29
Label	Sub Pop
Producer	Greg Dulli Ross Ian Stein
The Afghan Whigs chronology
Up in It (1990) Congregation (1992) Uptown Avondale (1992)
Singles from Congregation
"Turn On the Water" Released: January 1992 "Conjure Me" Released: May 1992

Congregation is the third studio album by American alternative rock band The Afghan Whigs. It was released on January 31, 1992, by Sub Pop and followed two years of the band's touring in support of their first album for the label, Up in It (1990).

The Afghan Whigs recorded Congregation in sessions held at Bear Creek Studios in Washington state's Woodinville and Buzz's Kitchen in Los Angeles from July to August 1991, with the band's frontman Greg Dulli producing alongside audio engineer Ross Ian Stein. Initially working on a $15,000 advance from Sub Pop, the production and release became hindered by the label's financial difficulties; these were eventually resolved by the massive commercial success of fellow Sub Pop act Nirvana's 1991 album Nevermind.

Expanding on the aggressive sound of the band's previous work, Congregation has more refined musical details and slower-tempo songs, incorporating ballads, R&B, soul, and funk influences. The album's cover depicts a nude black woman holding a white baby in her arms, interpreted as a comical allusion to the band's African-American music influences. The lyrics explore themes of pleasure and guilt in the context of dysfunctional relationships and sexual deviancy. Conceived during the burgeoning grunge scene, the album has been viewed by music writers as stylistically distinct from other Sub Pop and grunge music.

Congregation was well received by contemporary critics, who praised its musical quality, stylistic elements, and emotional content. It was promoted with two singles, "Turn On the Water" and "Conjure Me", and The Afghan Whigs' extensive touring in the United States and Europe. Although it did not chart, the album helped the band attain a cult following and receive offers from major record labels, leading to their signing to Elektra Records. Since its initial reception, Congregation has been viewed by writers as the band's breakthrough album and a significant release in rock music during the 1990s.