THE BAND
It’s still: Steve Albini ◊ Guitar. Todd Trainer ◊ Drums. Bob Weston ◊ Bass.

DATA
This is Shellac’s sixth studio LP. Recording & Mixing took place at Electrical Audio in Chicago over a bunch of long weekends in November, 2017; October, 2019; September, 2021; and March, 2022. The record was mas-tered by Bob & Steve at Chicago Mastering Service.

PACKAGING
LP and CD packaging and artwork are identical (the CD is just smaller). Bob took all the photos; some with a fancy camera and some with a telephone.

QC
Audio quality is paramount, as always, with Shellac. The LPs are being manufactured by Green Vinyl Records using an injection molding process. This new process uses 100% recyclable PET (like soda bottles) and is environmentally friendly, containing no PVC or Phthalates. The process also uses 79% less CO2 than conventional hydraulic PVC vinyl presses. The records weigh 180 grams.

PROMOTION
Other than the informational sheet you hold in your hand (or virtual hand), this record will have no formal promotion. There will be no advertisements, no press or radio promotion, no e-promotion, no promotional or review copies, no promotional gimmick items, and other-wise no free lunch.

THE IPODS
Shellac doesn’t have a website. Maybe we should get one. To All Trains (2AT) will be available on most streaming services and download sites in all your formats, sample rates, and bit depths; all the way up to 96kHz, 24-bit, Hi-Res (Apple Digital Masters compliant).

STAFF COMMENTS

Willow says: To All Trains stands as the most powerful, and tragically final, statement of a band that have boldly stuck to their guns in the face of an ever-changing industry landscape, consistently building on their unique and enrapturing craft in the process.

The sarcastic and minimal composition for which Shellac are renowned is present in bucketloads, sparking Albinisms that I quote incessantly with those in the know. But what makes To All Trains stand out in the Shellac catalogue is some moments of actual songwriting - actual chord progressions, actual drum beats! Unsurprisingly, Shellac wear this well, typified in ‘Days Are Dogs’, but balance it with some of the more ridiculous songs they’ve released (‘Scabby the Rat’).

The album is full of great riffs, rug-pulls and rock-outs, but it’s the songs that bookend the record that truly set it apart. ‘WSOD’ had been a live staple for some time, as is typical of the band’s signature method of ad hoc recording, and for good reason, opening with an all-timer riff and concluding with noise fit to burst any speaker. ‘I Don’t Fear Hell’ is a piece of genius regardless of the circumstances that rendered it an eerie closing to the Shellac saga, with its entrancing riff, unassuming dissonance and bitingly defiant lyrics from a man fit to leap into hell and kill the devil himself.

To All Trains is a rockin’, clever and confessional masterpiece from a trio that cements themselves as one of rock’s very tightest and most impressive.

TRACK LISTING

Side A
1. WSOD
2. Girl From Outside
3. Chick New Wave
4. Tattoos
5. Wednesday
Side B
6. Scrappers
7. Days Are Dogs
8. How I Wrote How I Wrote Elastic Man (cock & Bull)
9. Scabby The Rat
10. I Don’t Fear Hell

Both the 2LP and the 2CD version are packaged in a top-load single pocket wide-spine jacket with two printed inner sleeves.

Audio quality is paramount, as always, with Shellac. The LP was mastered by Chicago Mastering Service. The vinyl is manufactured at RTI in Camarillo, CA. The pressings are 180 gram audiophile quality.

Other than the informational sheet you hold in your hand (or virtual hand), this record will have no formal promotion. There will be no advertisements, no press or radio promotion, no promotional or review copies, no promotional gimmick items, and otherwise no free lunch. Photos of the band are available. And the band is available for email or telephone interviews.

The band will continue to play shows or tour at the same sporadic and relaxed pace as always. There is no correlation between shows and record releases.

The Band: Steve Albini / Guitar, Todd Trainier / Drums, Bob Weston / Bass.

STAFF COMMENTS

Barry says: There's not much to say about Shellac that you won't already know, but it's safe to say that hearing a band this legendary in top form, for the late great John Peel is enough of a draw. It's an incendiary and mindblowing set, comprised of some of their most recognisable pieces. Recorded perfectly, and performed as if you were there. Essential purchase.

TRACK LISTING

1994 Peel Session.
Transmission: John Peel Radio One Show, 22 July 1994, Programme Number: 00YJ7271.
Recorded 14 July 1994, BBC Maida Vale Studio 3.
Track Listing:
1. Spoke
2. Canada
3. Crow
4. Disgrace

2004 Peel Session
Transmission: John Peel Show, 2 December 2004,
Reference: XLN448/00JY3660.
Recording: Live From Maida Vale Session, 1 December 2004,
BBC Maida Vale Studio 4.
Track Listing:
1. Ghosts
2. The End Of Radio
3. Canada
4. Paco
5. Steady As She Goes
6. Billiard Player Song
7. Dog And Pony Show
8. Il Porno Star

THE BAND
Steve Albini ◊ Guitar
Todd Trainer ◊ Drums
Bob Weston ◊ Bass

DATA
This is Shellac’s fifth LP. Recording took place sporadically over the past few years at Steve's ELECTRICAL AUDIO studios in Chicago. The record was mastered by Steve Rooke at ABBEY ROAD. There is no comma in ‘Dude Incredible’; like Sir Duke or King Friday, for example

PACKAGING
Both the CD and LP version of Dude Incredible come packaged in a chipboard album jacket with two high gloss, full color monkeys on the front cover. The LP includes a CD of the full album.

QC
Audio quality is paramount, as always, with Shellac. The LP was mastered entirely in the analog domain, using the DMM (Direct Metal Mastering) process. The LPs are being manufactured at RTI in Camarillo, CA, using their HQ-180 system. The pressings are 180 gram audiophile quality.

1000 Hurts shows Shellac in prime form. Since the release of Terraforms, they seem to have realized that 12-minute rock songs don't rock. This record's longest track, "Mama Gina," clocks in at an appropriate 5:44, long enough to fully flesh out the song, but not so long that the groove gets tired. 

But as harsh and abrasive as it sounds, 1000 Hurts is an undeniably strong release. This album rocks hard, despite the fact that the man behind it is a squishy A/V club member with a bad attitude. So it seems that Albini's success as a producer hasn't greatly improved his personal life. Luckily, the same can't be said for his records.

During the early to mid 90's, a little known band named "Shellac" was born in the cold city of Chicago, Illinois. You could call Shellac a super group of sorts, for it features musicians who originated from multiple different bands. Guitarist Steve Albini (Big Black), bassist Bob Weston (Volcano Suns), and drummer Todd Trainer (Brick Layer Cake) all contribute to make some of the coolest noisy post-hardcore you'll ever hear. Shellac's first record, At Action Park, was released in 1994 and met critical praise. In 1998, their follow-up record, Terraform, was released. 

Long awaited new album from Steve Albini and co, and all the songs on this their fourth and longest album are about Italy or Greyhounds. Recording took place sporadically over the past few years at Steve's Electrical Audio studios in Chicago. The record was mastered by Steve Rooke at Abbey Road

The debut album from Steve Albini's new vision post Big Black and Rapeman, wired to the max guitar onslaughts from the MAN.