Ok, here's Atomizer by Big Black. Big Black was a very influential band in the 80s, fronted by Steve Albini. This is a very hard band to put in any specific category, but I've seen the band called noise punk or post-hardcore. The band's music is fast, abrasive and tackles politically and culturally loaded topics like murder, rape, arson, child abuse, pedophilia, racism, and misogyny. The lyrics were written by Albini to purposely be controversial, but also to serve as commentary and criticism. These controversial themes were very unusual and shocking for the time, and had a huge influence on the lyrical themes of punk and similar bands of the time. Big black and Steve Albini also hated the rock bands and corporations of the mainstream music industry, and worked to separate themselves from it by playing their unique sound and by keeping complete control over all aspects of the band (refusing to sign contracts, paying for their own records, planning their own shows, etc). In addition, Big Black had a huge influence on the formation of the industrial rock with their rattly, metallic sounding guitars and use of a drum machine instead of a drum kit.
So now I'll get back to the album. The cover of this album is probably one of my favorites because despite its simplicity, there is so much going on and so much to wonder about. We see what I assume to be a cannon pointing towards earth, with a stick of dynamite loaded in it labeled "Atomizer," and a box of "Big Black" brand matches. To me, this album cover says "Watch out, something drastic is about to happen, and we're going to cause it!" This cover also raises the questions "Where are we now if not Earth?" and "What are we trying to do with this cannon?"
Onto the music its self. The songs on this album have a harsh sound, inspired by noise and punk rock. This sound is complemented by a drum machine and heavily distorted clangy guitars, giving it the unique sound which influenced industrial, as I mentioned earlier. Some of my favorite songs on the album are "Jordan Minnesota," "Passing Complexion," "Kerosene," and "Bazooka Joe."
So when I said some of Big Black's songs deal with controversial topics, I wasn't kidding; the first song on Atomizer, "Jordan Minnesota," tells a horrifying story about a 5 year old child who is kidnapped by a sex trafficking ring in Jordan, Minnesota. The lyrics are also based off of a real case of a pedophile who was arrested in Jordan, Minnesota. This song actually sparked panic that there was a whole massive child sex trafficking ring too, but I think it ended up it was only the one guy, I'm not 100% sure on this though. The song features driving guitars and a pumping melody. It is very memorable, but not in the way most songs are; it seems like the song is trying to drill and scar its self into your mind as you listen to it.
The next track, "Passing Complexion," is probably my favorite on the album because of the cool guitar part, which sound like someone is somehow successfully playing guitar with some sandpaper glued to the tip of a drill, and the great beat that makes it fun to headbang to. The lyrics of the song this time deal with racism. They talk about a black man who happens to have very light skin, and could pass as white if no one asked him. As a result, he didn't have to deal with as much stigma and racism that he might have had to face if he had darker skin, he had a "passing complexion" if you will.
My next favorite song on the album, "Kerosene" tells the dangers of being a board rowdy teen living in a small suburb town. The song suggests these teens could participate in things like arson, sex, and misogyny if left to their own devises, with no guidance. The song has a low, unnerving guitar sound and serous sounding vocals lend well to the songs lyrics.
The last of my favorite songs on the album is a weird one, "Bazooka Joe." The main part of this song is the vocals, where the singer seems to be trying to convince someone named Joe to hang out with and listen to him. The thing that makes this song weird is how this song is mostly focused on the vocals instead of the guitars or melody. The song is actually about a shell-shocked veteran who is convinced to become a contract killer when he comes back from war.
Atomizer by Big Black is very unique in its musical style, which makes it very interesting to listen to, and the songs are also pretty catchy. In addition, Atomizer is one of those albums that should be on a list of important influential albums that everyone should listen to at least once, so I definitely recommend this one.
So now I'll get back to the album. The cover of this album is probably one of my favorites because despite its simplicity, there is so much going on and so much to wonder about. We see what I assume to be a cannon pointing towards earth, with a stick of dynamite loaded in it labeled "Atomizer," and a box of "Big Black" brand matches. To me, this album cover says "Watch out, something drastic is about to happen, and we're going to cause it!" This cover also raises the questions "Where are we now if not Earth?" and "What are we trying to do with this cannon?"
Onto the music its self. The songs on this album have a harsh sound, inspired by noise and punk rock. This sound is complemented by a drum machine and heavily distorted clangy guitars, giving it the unique sound which influenced industrial, as I mentioned earlier. Some of my favorite songs on the album are "Jordan Minnesota," "Passing Complexion," "Kerosene," and "Bazooka Joe."
So when I said some of Big Black's songs deal with controversial topics, I wasn't kidding; the first song on Atomizer, "Jordan Minnesota," tells a horrifying story about a 5 year old child who is kidnapped by a sex trafficking ring in Jordan, Minnesota. The lyrics are also based off of a real case of a pedophile who was arrested in Jordan, Minnesota. This song actually sparked panic that there was a whole massive child sex trafficking ring too, but I think it ended up it was only the one guy, I'm not 100% sure on this though. The song features driving guitars and a pumping melody. It is very memorable, but not in the way most songs are; it seems like the song is trying to drill and scar its self into your mind as you listen to it.
The next track, "Passing Complexion," is probably my favorite on the album because of the cool guitar part, which sound like someone is somehow successfully playing guitar with some sandpaper glued to the tip of a drill, and the great beat that makes it fun to headbang to. The lyrics of the song this time deal with racism. They talk about a black man who happens to have very light skin, and could pass as white if no one asked him. As a result, he didn't have to deal with as much stigma and racism that he might have had to face if he had darker skin, he had a "passing complexion" if you will.
My next favorite song on the album, "Kerosene" tells the dangers of being a board rowdy teen living in a small suburb town. The song suggests these teens could participate in things like arson, sex, and misogyny if left to their own devises, with no guidance. The song has a low, unnerving guitar sound and serous sounding vocals lend well to the songs lyrics.
The last of my favorite songs on the album is a weird one, "Bazooka Joe." The main part of this song is the vocals, where the singer seems to be trying to convince someone named Joe to hang out with and listen to him. The thing that makes this song weird is how this song is mostly focused on the vocals instead of the guitars or melody. The song is actually about a shell-shocked veteran who is convinced to become a contract killer when he comes back from war.
Atomizer by Big Black is very unique in its musical style, which makes it very interesting to listen to, and the songs are also pretty catchy. In addition, Atomizer is one of those albums that should be on a list of important influential albums that everyone should listen to at least once, so I definitely recommend this one.
1.) Jordan Minnesota
2.) Passing Complexion
3.) Big Money
4.) Kerosene
5.) Bad Houses
6.) Fists of Love
7.) Stinking Drunk
8.) Bazooka Joe
9.) Strange Things
10.) Cables [Live]
2.) Passing Complexion
3.) Big Money
4.) Kerosene
5.) Bad Houses
6.) Fists of Love
7.) Stinking Drunk
8.) Bazooka Joe
9.) Strange Things
10.) Cables [Live]
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