Big Black - Il Duce

(Touch and Go, 1992)

I’ve made plenty of mistakes in my life – eight of them, I believe – and none were as embarrassing as my not realizing that single was first released in 1985, meaning I should have reviewed it before the other two Big Black records. Where was Wikipedia when I needed it most? I dunno, but I DO know it was there when I needed it to accurately diagnose my excruciating foot ailment. “Plantar fasciitis,” it said a week ago, and “Plantar fasciitis,” a podiatrist confirmed this morning. And this doctor wasn’t excited about listening to me or examining me, but he WAS excited to shoot a bunch of cortisone into my foot with a big ol’ needle. You fixed me but good, doc, and I even did a little lunchtime jig on my drugged-up hoof. Which brings us right back to Big Black, because this single of theirs is dedicated to Benito Mussolini, who I hear was – ready for this one? – a real HEEL. Haw! Oh man, it was worth it, the whole set up was worth it! Just like this 7” is worth whatever you pay for it: it’s AOK! Meaty drum machine (that thing ALWAYS sounded fantastic and brutal); distorted guitar splinters that move through and around each other in interesting melodies; effects-laden Li’l Satan vocals; that black sense of humor (“I am Benito/And I like my job”)…it’s all here. “Il Duce” is grinding menace while “Big Money” goes for a faster sort of white-knuckled nervousness, but both get the job done with impressive economy, pummeling you for about two minutes before stopping dead. As solid a representation of Big Black as you’re gonna find – and the A-side isn’t widely available otherwise – so why not pony up?