Big Black- "Racer-X" EP

Big Black
"Racer-X" EP
Homestead Records
1984

So here we are, year 2, EP 3 of Big Black. Albini returns with the exact formula that worked so well on "Bulldozer." Durango, and the addition of Dave Riley on bass, back Albini and trusty Roland TR-606.

The EP unfolds with the title track, a slower-than-"Bulldozer" methodical machine pulse. Waves of scrap metal guitar fly from left field and give ya a good kick to the temple. "Shotgun" is also a more methodical track in terms of pace, with more creepy crawlin' guitar parts ringing out, in the most ungodly anti-professional tone imaginable. It's the kind of tone that'd bring AM radio to their knees, coupled with shouts of "SAWED OFF" and Albini lazily chiming in through transistor tones with, "sshhotgun." Perhaps the most haunting, angry song of the whole set.

Then there's "The Ugly American," a track so fucking angrily tongue in cheek lyrically, one's tongue may just shoot right through their goddamn face. "Deep Six," a swinging little number with a brutal chant that'll just about get grandma out of the rocking-chair and dance into the grave. "A buck knife, a saw blade, a lead pipe, a twelve gauge/Coulda deep-sixed him, Wouldn't bat an eye," repeated over and over. Beautiful. Now loop that over in over in group chant and you got yourself a Big Black party!

The EP ends with a cover of James Brown's "The Big Payback." I believe this is what Mr. Brown's listening to in Hell for the rest of eternity. I also assume this cover may have attributed to his increasing coke problems throughout the '80s. Hmm, food for thought.

So 3 EPs? Kinda makes you wonder when the fuck these guys were gonna get around to making that Platinum Record, and quit pussy-footing around with such devilishly short treats of disdain.

7/10