1000 Hurts

Shellac

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 8, 2000)
• Original Release Date: August 8, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Touch & Go Records
• ASIN: B00004UEGT
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (41 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #29,761 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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  Music > Alternative Rock > Alternative Styles > Rock > Noise

Track Listings

1. Prayer to God

2. Squirrel Song

3. Mama Gina

4. QRJ

5. Ghosts

6. Song Against Itself

7. Canaveral

8. New Number Order

9. Shoe Song

10. Watch Song

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Shellac is back for another aural attack with 1000 Hurts, a more accessible album than previous fare such as At Action Park. Frontman Steve Albini has never sounded looser or more sarcastic than he does on the one-two opening punch of "Prayer to God" and "Squirrel Song"; the former finds the screechy one singing (!) wails of resignation over a punchy backing, while the latter has him sneering "Don't be surprised if I bust out crying" before indulging in some wicked aggro-arena stylings. Cage-rattling aces Todd Trainer and Bob Weston are given gonzo airlift by the big-room sound Albini loves to champion--it's helium light and lead heavy at the same time. The shorter tracks, such as "Canaveral" and "QRJ," allow for easy-in, easy-out rock fiestas, while longer cuts such as "Watch Song" give the rhythm section a workout. Another fine effort from Albini and company. --Jason Josephes

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars a STRANGE record, September 13, 2000

By	Daniel A. Brockman (Boston, MA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

On one fo the lesser tracks on this album "New Number Order", drummer Todd Trainer leads a strange spoken word soliloquy on a changing of number order "to... make... it... more... in... ter..est.. ing..."

Always striving to be "interesting" is what Shellac, and Steve Albini, are all about. A somewhat minimalist rock trio, they throw together elements of gang of four, wire, ac/dc, zz top, and killing joke, among others, to form a strange sound. They defnitely have a signature sound that has changed littel since their incredibly awesome early singles for touch and go.

On their last album, "Terraform", they tried to shake that formula up a bit by throwing some interesting curveballs. That album's 12-minute opening exercise in frustrating monotony was for many Shellac fans a mis-fire. I loved it, and still think it's one of their best tracks. On the new album, "1000 Hurts", they go even more out on a limb.

The most "traditional" Shellac song on the record is the final song, "Watch Song". It has their trademark of tense, sharp arrangements and angry, confrontational lyrics. A masterpiece, it's only flaw may be it's similarity to some of their older tunes.

My personla favorite on the album is track 2, "Squirrel song", which showcases Albini's underappreciated and truly bizarre sense of humor. A song that is actually about squirrel's, the lyrics about the observations of the life of a squirrel are swallowed up by the propulsive rhythms and pummeling guitar work. The song explodes with Albini's parting cry: "This isn't some kind of metaphor/this is real", echoing his sentiments in "Terraform"'s anti-art-school screed "This Is A Picture".

In short, this is a truly head-scratching record, and not one I'd recommend to one who is hearing Shellac for the first time. But I am truly impressed by this band's continued musical inventiveness and their ability to keep it interesting every time.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A welcome progression from a minimalist standpoint..., August 9, 2000

By A Customer

Okay, this isn't "At Action Park." There will never be another one and that's just the way it goes. But it is a broadening of horizons, and for a band like Shellac that can be a dangerous thing. This is the first Shellac release to contain layered guitars (obviously overdub or some sort of delay), and is also the first that Bob sings lead vocals on. Both work out to the band's advantage.

There are some classic Shellac-style songs, like "Canaveral" and "Watch Song," but there are also some unexpected moments. The songs "New Number Order" and "Shoe Song" make one wonder if Slint hasn't been reincarnated in the Electrical Audio studios, while "Ghosts" boasts an intro straight off a Man or Astroman? record.

The true highlight of this record is obviously the opener, "Prayer To God." A Johnny Cash meets Math Rock ballad in which Steve asks God to kill his ex and her new lover - "Her she can go quietly, by disease or a blow.... him just f##king kill him... f##king kill him..." The last phrase is repeated twenty-some times during the end of the song, and it's not one to listen to right before getting out of the car. The dark image of God making the guy "cry like a woman" will be stuck in your head all day, this song is so catchy.

So to make this long review... well, end, this record is very good. Not legendary, but good. Every Shellac fan needs it, and any other fans of interesting sounds should give it a listen. Plus the packaging (a reel-to-reel box) is nice.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Album of the Year?, October 27, 2000

By A Customer

Shellac is an excellent ensemble that has a lot more going on than their music often suggests. People often say they are minimalist and experimental within the rock format; however, it is rarely noted that their music seems to have strong connections with genres such as jazz and blues. 1000 HURTS displays these connections in a different way than the previous two albums. For example, as regimented and "mathy" as the songs sound upon a casual listen, anyone who has seen Shellac in live performance knows that various sections of various songs can be extended at the band's leisure. In terms of tonality, Shellac is more specifically concerned with texture than with pitch. Hence, one hears creepy meandering notes accentuated by sparse and seemingly accidental drumming on "Mama Gina" and in the middle portion of "Shoe Song". The structure of the typical Shellac song (e.g. "Watch Song" or "Squirrel Song") is simultaneously simple and complex. One hears a simple pattern repeated again and again; upon closer inspection, one realizes the intricacies of the interaction between the drums, the bass, and the guitar (which tends to sound like anything but a guitar). 1000 HURTS is Shellac's best effort in terms of exploring the science of sound, while utilizing non-rock methods within the general rock format. The music is most reminiscent of the first Tortoise album or, perhaps, some old-school atypical blues stuff (e.g. Skip James or Mississippi John Hurt). Shellac is completely grounded in the present, though, and everything they do deserves attention. By the way, for the uninformed, check out the URANUS 7". The songs "Doris" and "Wingwalker" are prime examples of Shellac at their best.