Naturally, it’s difficult to keep one’s composure while listening to Shellac’s new album “To All Trains” (Touch and Go). The death of bandleader Steve Albini is still too recent, the tears barely dry.
Nevertheless, let’s focus on the facts. “To All Trains” is Shellac’s sixth album. A band that is more of a hobby and an after-hours activity. The album was created over several weekends, spanning from 2017 to 2022. Yet, the work is so cohesive. This is likely because Shellac has always sounded like Shellac.
Of course, there are no surprises here either. It features the familiar noisy, lurching, sometimes coolly grooving rock. Bone-dry, gently striking as well.
There’s a touch of The Fall, a hit with “Scrappers,” and something laid-back with “Girl From Outside.” In the end, “I Don’t Fear Hell” leaves a queasy feeling in the stomach. A world without Shellac? Hardly imaginable. It’s wonderful that we have such a great legacy.
