Lungs
Big Black · 1982
21 min · 6 tracks · alternative rock
A raw and abrasive sonic assault blending noise rock with post-punk's rhythmic urgency and alternative rock's experimental edge.
Top tracks — play these first
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Steelworker — The opening track sets the tone with its relentless drive and harsh guitar tones, encapsulating the album's aggressive energy and thematic exploration of labor exploitation.
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I Can Be Killed — This track showcases Albini's ability to blend chilling lyrics with a dynamic structure that shifts from quiet introspection to explosive intensity, exemplifying the band's unique sound.
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Crack — With its jarring rhythms and provocative lyrics, this song represents the darker themes prevalent throughout Lungs while highlighting the band's innovation in combining punk and noise elements.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Lungs showcases raw energy and innovative structures that define its influential sound within noise rock.
What we noticed
- The EP opens with a heavy, distorted guitar riff in 'Steelworker' that sets a confrontational tone for the record.
- Tracks often feature abrupt tempo changes, particularly noticeable in 'I Can Be Killed', which shifts from a slow build to an aggressive climax.
- Vocals are delivered in a shouted style, often layered with feedback and noise, creating a chaotic soundscape throughout the tracks.
- The final track, 'Rip', ends with a prolonged feedback loop that fades out, leaving a sense of unresolved tension.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Steelworker 4:12
- 2 Live in a Hole 2:59
- 3 Dead Billy 3:25
- 4 I Can Be Killed 4:24
- 5 Crack 3:52
- 6 Rip 2:19
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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