ARTIST: Rapeman
TITLE: Two Nuns and a Pack Mule
YEAR RELEASED: 1988
CHART ACTION: None
SINGLES: Hatee Chinee
OTHER SONGS YOU MAY KNOW: They cover ZZ Top’s Just Got Paid
LINEUP: Steve Albini, David Wm. Sims, Rey Washam
WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT: Post Big Black Albini noise patrol uses Scratch Acid’s rhythm section for good (or evil).
SOME WORDS, PHRASES AND CLAUSES ABOUT THIS RECORD: After Steve Albini shut down Big Black, he focused more on his production work, but still had the itch to record and play. Thus, this band was formed with two former members of Scratch Acid.
This full-length LP shows the promise of the group, and also its limitations. Albini uses many of the same sounds and similar subject matter to Big Black, but with a real drummer instead of a machine, and just one guitarist, it’s sonically different. The noise at times overpowers the songs, and the shock of Albini’s characters also may overwhelm some listeners.
Sims’ bass goes into overdrive and works well with Washam. When this group gets going, they play well together despite the limitations of some of the material. All in all, this was just a stop-gap for everyone.
NOTES & MINUTIAE: The title of the group comes from a Japanese comic book character that was produced for about five years.
IS THERE A DELUXE VERSION: It’s released with the EP Budd, which only the title track is worthwhile.
GRADE: B: Some good Albini sounds and rage, but it’s sometimes too clattery for its own good.