Track Listing

1. Steelworker
2. Live in a Hole
3. Dead Billy
4. I Can Be Killed
5. Crack
6. RIP
7. Cables
8. Pigeon Kill
9. I'm a Mess
10. Texas
11. Seth
12. Jump the Climb
13. Racer X
14. Shotgun
15. Ugly American
16. Deep Six
17. Sleep!
18. Big Payback

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #70426 in Music
• Released on: 1992-11-27
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .21 pounds

From Amazon.com
Before Steve Albini shaped alt rock's sound in the '90s as producer (or recorder, he says) of Nirvana, PJ Harvey, and countless others, he fronted Chicago's Big Black, one of the most brutal and brilliant punk groups to ever play along with a drum machine. Originally released in 1986, The Hammer Party collects the band's first three EPs, made between 1982 and 1984. Lungs featured Albini's machine-gun guitar and vocals, accompanied only by Roland the drum machine. The following year's Bulldozer added a bassist and second guitarist for an even more punishing sound, while Racer-X further refined the Big Black's sonic assault. Together on one disc, The Hammer Party, they serve as a disturbing, ear-shattering prequel to the rest of this group's fine oeuvre. --Roni Sarig

Customer Reviews

Music to Grind your Soul into Ecstasy
Back in the mid-80s I was listening to Sonic Youth, Husker Du and their ilk, when I stumbled across the Racer X e.p. I wore it out, slamming into the walls of my room in an attempt to do it justice. This is hardcore, with biting rythms that Steve Albini never quite matched in his Rapeman years - possibility this had something to do with the rest of the band. It led me into their LPs, with great tracks such as Kerosene and Jordan,Minnesota. It you like uncompromising music that will grind your soul, this is for you.

Ahead of their time...
It all seems such a long time ago... this lot exploded on a stagnant music scene, burned brightly for a couple of years and then quit at the height of their powers. Perfect. They fused Industrial, Hardcore and Punk seamlessly. They also had a far harder and more violent drum machine than the poxy Sisters of Mercy! Without this band, you would have no grunge, alternative or nu-metal scene. Bear in mind, that Steve Albini was responsible for producing some of the seminal albums of all time. "Surfer Rosa" by the Pixies, "Dustbowl" by Head of David, "In Utero" by Nirvana, the list is endless... This album shows them at their earliest and incendiary best. It now seems almost impossible to get your hands on their recordings, so get this while you can, if only for "Cables" and "Steelworker".... you won't regret it.