Nov 62 min read

Shellac (To All Trains)

Released: 2024

Genre: Math rock, Punk

Sounds Like: These Arms Are Snakes, June of 44

Homeland: Chicago

What makes To All Trains elite and sit atop OHMs Peak?

Shellac has revolutionized and solidified what is math rock. Spanning 30 years we have been blessed with their caustic and impactful ways. Needless to say we were saddened to hear of Steve Albini’s passing just a few months back. Arguably one of the biggest pioneers of heavy music, his involvement to expand heavy rock and off kilter viewpoints is vast and game changing. While tragic as can be the light here is to celebrate what he and the amazing embodiment of Shellac. 6 studio albums , 3 EPs and two live albums of brilliance. Most astonishing is their sound just keeps getting fresher and alas we welcome in their 2024 release To All Trains’ a fucking pinnacle of their work.
Encompassing 10 songs that span 28 minutes. Envision chaos blending beautifully in a concise tight way hitting wild angles testing the efforts of your speakers. We are amazed at how much Shellac can capture in a 2 minute track. Their off tempo brilliance can engulf the listener quicker than any other band. Take the opener 'WSOD,' Albini’s abrasive melodies attack immediately and meld so well with Trainer and Weston’ epic undercurrent. Much akin to the Jesus Lizard, Weston and Trainer drive some of the most innovative jaw dropping tempos. From ‘Scrappers’ in your face anthem “we’ll be pirates” to the creeping ‘I Don’t Fear Hell’ looping in ‘baseball’ incoherence with “if there’s a hell I’m gonna know everyone” we ride the dark satiric perspective that has so shaped Shellac’s 30 year journey.

To All Trains is just about as powerful a work that the threesome from Chicago have ever released. Steve Albini will be missed but his imprint on the math rock landscape will hopefully reverberate forever.

Track Listing: 1. WSOD 2:24 2. Girl From Outside 2:45 3. Chick New Wave 2:22 4. Tattoos 3:08 5. Wednesday 3:17 6. Scrappers 2:20 7. Days Are Dogs 1:41 8. How I Wrote How I Wrote Elastic Man (cock & bull) 4:08 9. Scabby the Rat 1:46 10. I Don't Fear Hell 4:17