#7: Shellac>Excellent Itlaian Greyhound>Good dog

Artist : Shellac
Album : Excellent Italian Greyhound (4th Domestic LP)
Release : 06.05.07
Year Founded : 1992
Label Name : Touch & Go
Catalog # : 303
Packaging Type : Single-Disc Bi-Fold Sleeve with Wrap Sleeve
Members : Steve Albini, Todd Trainer, Bob Weston
Runtime : 42:19
Area Tour Dates : None at time of publication
Sound Season : Fall, Winter
iTunes Worthy Tracks : Steady As She Goes, Elephant, Boycott, Spoke
Sounds Like : The Jesus Lizard Shot
Rating : A-
Interior cover
Interior back



If one engages in the habit of judging albums by their covers, one might think that the Jay Ryan-penned illustration adorning Shellac's new album cover would indicate that they have gotten soft, maybe even cuddly.

Don't believe it for a second.

Listening to Shellac, one gets the sense that something bad is about to happen. That something is looming — better yet — lurking nearby. Their songs seem to be either depictions of despicable characters, unfit for society (and their sound supports that characterization), or contemptuous diatribes formulated to expose the phoniness in everyone and everything. In other words, Shellac can see right through your bullshit, man.

The band typically writes pummeling rock songs with several distinct parts. If the verses and choruses are not clearly defined, then they, at the very least, exhibit a vocal thematic progression. They also are known for their songs with no changes except for a couple of emphatic moments and a more sermonic vocal approach. The album starts with "The End of Radio," which is one of these unflinching testimonies. It is not wholly unenjoyable, but it does continue a bit longer than it should.

Excellent Italian Greyhound's only other instance of this less song-focused writing is on "Genuine Lulabelle." The first couple minutes are very typically structured as a song, but it turns into a patchwork monologue (seemingly delivered by a "John" in regards to a prostitute) at about the 3 minute mark. Around minute 7, it turns back into a song. It is a less enjoyable foray into this style of songwriting and is the low-point of the album.

The remainder of the album's songs completely deliver. "Boycott" reminds me of early Minutemen tunes, but with a twisted, unstable dynamic. "Kittypants" unexpectedly tears a page right out of Dianogah's melodic and syncopated notebook (two Jay Ryan references on one album? Man, that guy is blowing up). The name even sounds like it might correspond to one of Ryan's prints. They follow up "Paco," the lone instrumental, with the furious "Spoke," with flaring vocals unlike any other Shellac song. Sort of like Nirvana's "Negative Creep."

Steve Albini has for a long while been known as a great producer. Excellent Italian Greyhound should cement his reputation as a great musician as well.