Two Nuns and a Pack Mule

2 LPs on 1 CD: TWO NUNS AND A PACK MULE/BUDD E.P.
Rapeman: Steve Albini (vocals, guitar); David William Sims (bass); Rey Washam (drums).
Recorded in Chicago, Illinois.
The sole full-length record from Steve Albini's razor-honed thrash trio (rounded out by Scratch Acid's David Wm. Sims and Rey Washam) varies in its attack in ways Albini's old trio Big Black never did; the demented rhythms constantly threaten to veer out of control, and Albini's guitar screeches like something rabid and bloodthirsty. Lyrically, the group displays the same warmth and compassion so evident in their choice of a name (taken, by the way, from a Japanese comic book character); songs tackle sex ("Trouser Minnow"), ethnicity ("Hated Chinee"), and classic rock ("Radar Love Lizard"); there's even a Sonic Youth 'homage' called "Kim Gordon's Panties." ~ Jason Ankeny