Released

It’s impossible to imagine the Jesus Lizard’s music without Steve Albini’s engineering; he was the band’s de facto fifth member, and on this, their second album, he takes their already powerful songs and turns them into paradigmatic Midwestern noise-rock. Duane Denison’s twangy, bent guitar riffs are supported by David Wm. Sims’ loud, rumbling bass and Mac McNeilly’s subtle but whomping drums, and honestly, that would be plenty satisfying enough, but add David Yow’s howling, fever-dream vocals to the mix and you’ve really got something. Albini’s contribution is to mix all four elements more or less equally; Yow is never shoved into the spotlight, indeed he’s often drowned out by Denison, making him sound even more like a crazy guy ranting from the corner.

Phil Freeman

Suggestions
The Chrome Cranks cover

The Chrome Cranks

The Chrome Cranks
Sister cover

Sister

Sonic Youth
Lux cover

Lux

Aluk Todolo
Receivers cover

Receivers

Parts & Labor
Hate cover

Hate

The Delgados
Hard Light cover

Hard Light

Drop Nineteens
Rev cover

Rev

Ultra Vivid Scene
Emergency & I cover

Emergency & I

The Dismemberment Plan