An indispensable compilation, The Rich Man's Eight Track Tape combines Big Black's monumental Atomizer LP with the following Headache EP and "Heartbeat" three-song single.
While Atomizer undoubtedly remains one of the standout records of the mid-'80s underground scene, the Headache EP (released a year following) doesn't belong on the same playing field, although it's fine in its own right.
Had Headache been released prior to Atomizer, it would probably be held in higher regard.
Obviously not a fan of the compact disc medium, Steve Albini goes to great lengths in the packaging and on the disc itself to encourage the consumer to scratch, fingerprint, and eat off of the CD.
He also reminds the listener that the format taking the title was state-of-the-art in the early '70s.
Regardless of the medium and its supposed limitations, The Rich Man's Eight Track Tape is worth seeking out.
| Title/Composers | Performer | Listen | Time | Size | Size | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jordan, MinnesotaBig Black | Big Black | Play | 03:20 | 7 MB | 20 MB |
| 2 | Passing ComplexionBig Black | Big Black | Play | 03:04 | 7 MB | 19 MB |
| 3 | Big MoneyBig Black | Big Black | Play | 02:29 | 5 MB | 15 MB |
| 4 | KeroseneBig Black | Big Black | Play | 06:05 | 13 MB | 39 MB |
| 5 | Bad HousesBig Black | Big Black | Play | 03:09 | 7 MB | 19 MB |
| 6 | Fists of LoveBig Black | Big Black | Play | 04:21 | 9 MB | 26 MB |
| 7 | Stinking DrunkBig Black | Big Black | Play | 03:27 | 7 MB | 22 MB |
| 8 | Bazooka JoeBig Black | Big Black | Play | 04:43 | 10 MB | 29 MB |
| 9 | CablesBig Black | Big Black | Play | 03:09 | 7 MB | 19 MB |
| 10 | HeartbeatColin Newman | Big Black | Play | 03:48 | 8 MB | 20 MB |
| 11 | Things to Do TodayBig Black | Big Black | Play | 01:44 | 3 MB | 10 MB |
| 12 | I Can't BelieveBig Black | Big Black | Play | 01:03 | 2 MB | 6 MB |
| 13 | My DiscoBig Black | Big Black | Play | 02:52 | 6 MB | 16 MB |
| 14 | Ready MenBig Black | Big Black | Play | 02:24 | 5 MB | 17 MB |
| 15 | Pete, King of the DetectivesBig Black | Big Black | Play | 02:42 | 6 MB | 14 MB |
| 48 mins | 110 MB | |||||
| 48 mins | 299 MB | |||||
| Artist | Job | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Big Black | Composer, Primary Artist |
| 2 | Colin Newman | Composer |
| Quality | Format | Encoding | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | MP3 | 320kps 44.1kHz | MP3 is an audio coding format which uses a form of lossy data compression. The highest bitrate of this format is 320kbps (kbit/s). MP3 Digital audio takes less amount of space (up to 90% reduction in size) and the quality is not as good as the original one. |
| CD Quality | FLAC | 16bit 44.1kHz | FLAC is an audio coding format which uses lossless compression. Digital audio in FLAC format has a smaller size and retains the same quality of the original Compact Disc (CD). |