This Big Black single is less severely punishing than Atomizer, but has that kind of memorable, instant-classic feel, and thus makes for an equally strong purchase. Steve Albini conjures up the awful dread of not only life under the fascist Benito Mussolini rule in Italy, but also the horror of his death when his war-torn country mercilessly and pitilessly turned against him. Who could set that kind of duality/clash into harrowing music better than this Chicago trio? The results seem terrifying without question, but -- and this is the band's weapon -- also bizarrely catchy, as if inverting the entire question of pop music itself. Call it subversion, analyze it as you will, the result is amazing music. ~ Jack Rabid, The Big Takeover
- Format: Vinyl
- Genre: Pop
