Congregation is the third studio album by American alternative rock band The Afghan Whigs. It was released on January 31, 1992, by Sub Pop. Expanding on the aggressive sound of the band's previous work (Up in it), 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, 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. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.