Big Black
Il Duce

THE REVIEW

First official single by Big Black, year 1985.

Steve Albini's band comes out with "Il Duce", which later also circulated on various radio stations.

The lyrics go as follows:

"I am Benito
And I like my job
They gave me this house
And gave me this car
They gave me the cities and streets
When they gave me this job"

As we can see, the Albini/Pezzati/Durango combo almost intends to challenge the audience, displaying their provocative side. Despite everything, the lyrics, in their disarming simplicity and with just a few lines, describe the total truth of the facts and Mussolini's ease in coming to power, without much struggle.

It's truly a pleasure to receive Italian history lessons from Steve Albini, who is incidentally of Piedmontese origin.

From a musical standpoint, we are talking about a track in the pure Big Black style of the early '80s: abrasive sound, metallic drum machine (which recalls the rhythm of "Bela Lugosi's Dead" by Bauhaus), Pezzati bringing out his characteristic messed-up sound from the big and dirty bass strings, and of course Albini & Durango's equally messed-up and (seemingly) out of tune guitars.

The b-side is "Big Money", which will later be included in the first album "Atomizer", narrating of corrupt cops.

The backside of the vinyl is equally provocative: "This record is dedicated to the memory of the Bambino, il Duce Benito Mussolini, whose life has been an inspiration to us all."

PS: Before you all condemn me, let me say that I am aware of the very loose character of the review, but this single must be spread.