Racer-X
| Racer-X | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| EP by | ||||
| Released | 1985 | |||
| Recorded | 1984 | |||
| Genre | Noise rock, post-hardcore | |||
| Length | 15:36 | |||
| Label | Homestead, Touch and Go | |||
| Big Black chronology | ||||
| ||||
| 1992 reissue | ||||
 | ||||
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [1] |
| Christgau's Record Guide | A−[2] |
| The New Rolling Stone Album Guide | [3] |
| Tom Hull | B+[4] |
Racer-X is the third EP by American post-hardcore band Big Black. It was released by Homestead Records in 1985 and reissued by Touch and Go Records in 1992.
Racer-X was the first of Big Black's recordings to cement their instrumental lineup of two guitarists, one bassist, and a Roland TR-606 drum machine. It was the final Big Black release to feature bassist Jeff Pezzati, who left to dedicate more time to his primary band Naked Raygun.
Title
[edit]Racer X was a character on the anime series Speed Racer. The EP's title track makes numerous references to the original TV show.
Single
[edit]The song "Il Duce" (about Benito Mussolini) was recorded in the same session as the songs from the Racer-X EP. The song was released the same year as a 7" single backed with "Big Money" from Atomizer. Homestead records also issued a promotional 12" version of the single with "Il Duce" and "Big Money" on the A-side and three live tracks on the B-side.[5]
Cover art
[edit]The original EP featured cover art by Nate Kaatrud (better known as National Kato/Nash Kato) of Urge Overkill. When Touch and Go reissued the EP in 1992, the original artwork could not be found and a new cover was produced.[5]
Track listing
[edit]- "Racer-X" - 4:01
- "Shotgun" - 3:28
- "The Ugly American" - 2:41
- "Deep Six" - 3:14
- "Sleep!" - 2:42
- "The Big Payback" (James Brown) - 2:29
Personnel
[edit]- Steve Albini: electric guitar, vocals
- Santiago Durango: electric guitar
- Jeff Pezzati: bass guitar
- Roland: drum machine
- John Bonhen: saxophone on "The Ugly American"
Recorded by Iain Burgess in Chicago.
Influence
[edit]The Japandroids covered "Racer-X" during their Dec 15, 2009 Daytrotter session. Of “Racer X” they say this:
We’re recording a 7-inch in January and this going to be the B-side. This song was originally done by Big Black and came out on the Racer-X EP in 1984. Our version is pretty good, but the original is a masterpiece.
References
[edit]- ^ Kellman, Andy. "allmusic ((( Racer-X > Review )))". Allmusic. Retrieved March 17, 2010.
- ^ Christgau, Robert (1990). "B". Christgau's Record Guide: The '80s. Pantheon Books. ISBN 0-679-73015-X. Retrieved August 17, 2020 – via robertchristgau.com.
- ^ Brackett, Nathan. "Big Black". The New Rolling Stone Album Guide. November 2004. pg. 69, cited March 17, 2010
- ^ Tom Hull. "Grade List: big black". Tom Hull - on the web. Retrieved 4 September 2020.
- ^ a b Anti, Obik. "Big Black: Racer X". Big Black, from pre-history to present. Retrieved 24 December 2012.
| Studio albums | |
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| Live albums | |
| Compilation albums | |
| EPs | |
| Singles | |
| Related articles | |
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