Search - Big Black :: Pig Pile

Crashing Trainful O' Joy

Damian Marshall | 02/16/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Okay, if you guys don't re-release this live masterpiece, I'm going to have to duplicate my copy a thousand times and rain it upon the nation as a public service! (No Collector Scum, I!) This is the ultimate live Big Black show, performed as a swan song in the UK in 1987 and full of the jarring, driving, hammering guitar torture modern bands try so hard to ape but can never come close to. But not only that: Albini's distinctly creepy stand-up comedy, an unbelievable gymnastic version of "Dead Billy," lots of audience violence (including a constant stream of fake blood aimed at little Stevie), and the finest performance ever of "Jordan, Minnesota."Over the ball-crushing vigor of the sound and the confrontational fury of the songs hangs an edgy haze of insecurity--the halo of an age when punk was made by real misfits, and outrage wasn't met with the smug audience comfort of the 90's and 00's. This is a slice of underground rage from the days when this rage was a real and dangerous force. And it still looks and sounds crystal clear.So please give this sleeping giant a reawakening, and maybe the puny bands of today will get some spirit scared into them. A pummeling, one-of-a-kind testament."

Dingy little back alley of a country

lepidop@msn.com | 12/21/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have a copy of this on vinyl - the way it was truly meant to be heard. Unbelievably excellent stuff. Good for exorcising unwanted neighbours and family members. The songs were all recorded live at a show in London just before the band broke up - hence the title of this review. I was lucky and managed to get one of the few boxed sets which included this record, a t-shirt, poster, extra 5" record (clear vinyl), and a video of the concert. Track down the video if you can. The album is great, the video even better."

#1 Missed Gig

Damian Marshall | Prairiewood, Australia | 07/31/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"1. Like the sound of Big Black

2. Notice a new tour in the media

3. Fail to notice "last tour" mention

4. Don't go. (Hey, I can always go next year)

5. Wait, what?

6 ........

7. Don't profit.

8. Hear the record.

9. See the record.

10. Cry.

11. A lot."