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).
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.
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
Will 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