illusionofjoy | OTR: Big Audio Dynamite - This Is Big Audio Dynamite

This Is Big Audio Dynamite is, to put it mildly, an inconsistent album. Side A is good (to varying degrees) while Side B is...

Well, let's just say that these guys weren't about to give Public Image Ltd. or New Order a run for their money with Side B of this record. Frankly, closing Side A with "The Bottom Line," which is by far the best thing on this album, is misleading. A "side-turner" track encourages the listener to flip the record over, because it creates curiosity. The hapless listener, seduced by the delight of a well-written, well produced song closing the first act wishes to press on. My recommendation if you're listening to Big Audio Dynamite's debut on vinyl: do not flip the record over! There is nothing worth listening to on Side B. Alternately, if you have the CD (like I do), press "stop" after track 4.

So, for the bargain price of...whatever the hell I paid for it used, I own a mediocre album, but what could have been a pretty good EP. So, let's pretend it's an EP, okay? The disc opens with "Medicine Show," which is an enjoyable dance tune. "Sony" and "E=MC²" are acquired tastes, but are fairly enjoyable. The high point remains "The Bottom Line" - were this track not in the sequence, this album would not be worth buying at all.

I was actually going to start my foray into the music of Big Audio Dynamite by checking out their greatest hits compilation, Planet Bad. Unfortunately, in a twist of marketing chicanery, that disc contains an edited version of "The Bottom Line" which cuts off over a minute from the original song. A desire for the original song in it's entirety led me to get the LP proper. I doubt I'll be buying any of their other non-compilation releases, if this is any indicator...

Incidentally, joi_division was quite vociferous about how much she hated what she was hearing once Side B started playing.