Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Big Black - "Way Hap Ultimate Rarities" 2xCD


Steve Albini is probably known more now as a recorder/producer, single-handedly helping to put grit on some classic indie rock and noise albums. I'm not about to go into details about which legendary releases he's worked on. The older folks remember Albini as frontman for notorious and confrontational Chicago noise-grind band Big Black (before he formed the relatively less confrontational Shellac). Big Black released several fine LPs on Touch & Go Records way back in the day, with titles like "Atomizer", "Songs About Fucking", and "Pigpile". These are all essential listening for anyone with an ear for anti-social guitar/gutter rock.

Here, someone has compiled a masterful selection of unreleased and rare Big Black compilation tracks, demos, and oddities (including some work by Stations, which featured Albini and future Dessau mainman John Elliott, interestingly). Anyway, "Way Hap Ultimate Rarities" is a 2xCD set of assorted Big Black nuggets, and some wonderful soul has posted these fine recordings for you to suckle on. Let the nihilism rain down on thee!

CD1
CD2

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