Album Review: Cultural Anthropology by Dr. Walter Goldschmidt
Alright, so here’s the deal—this album isn’t your typical “throw it on and vibe” kind of listen. Nope, Cultural Anthropology by Dr. Walter Goldschmidt is more like an intellectual road trip through humanity's quirks and complexities. Released way back in 1960, this Lectern Records gem dives deep into education and spoken word, making it less about beats and more about brains. And honestly? It’s kinda refreshing.
First off, let’s talk about the tracks. The album covers a lot of ground with titles like "Social Organization," "Religion," and even "The Arts." But two that really stuck with me were "Language" and "Technology."
Now, Language might sound boring at first glance (I mean, who gets excited about grammar?), but Goldschmidt breaks it down in such a cool way. He doesn’t just ramble—he connects how we talk to how we think and live. I found myself nodding along, thinking about all those times I’ve misunderstood someone because of one tiny word. Like, wow, language shapes everything! Who knew?
Then there’s Technology. This track felt eerily ahead of its time. Listening to it now, in our age of smartphones and AI, it hits different. Goldschmidt talks about tools shaping societies, and honestly, it made me put my phone down for a sec. It’s wild to hear someone from the '60s basically predicting TikTok culture or whatever. Props to him for seeing the big picture before most of us were even born.
Credit where it’s due—the production team nailed it too. Eugene E. Landy as the recording supervisor kept things crisp and clear, which matters when you’re dealing with dense topics. Chuck Ross’s photography adds a nice touch, giving the whole thing a serious yet approachable vibe. And Mike Mather’s cover design? Classic mid-century minimalism that still holds up today.
So yeah, Cultural Anthropology isn’t gonna bump at your next party, but it’s perfect for late-night musings or pretending you’re super smart while sipping coffee. Honestly, after listening, I couldn’t help but laugh at how much of what he said still rings true. Makes you wonder if humans will ever change… or if we’re just stuck repeating history forever. Either way, hats off to Dr. Goldschmidt for dropping knowledge bombs that still resonate sixty years later.
