A noisier affair than
Atomizer
, the four-song
Headache
EP was accompanied by a band-written sticker warning that it's not as good as the preceding LP. This is an accurate assessment -- the subject matter isn't as gripping, and
Steve Albini
resorts mainly to grumbling and accosting. However,
isn't a forgettable part of
Big Black
's catalog.
"Ready Men"
and
"Grinder"
are satisfyingly ornery, and the noise-fest of
"My Disco"
isn't far behind. The initial pressing in a small quantity came in a polyvinyl sleeve, which covered the up-close depiction of a self-inflicted shotgun blast to the head. Now that would qualify as a headache. ~ Andy Kellman