Shellac

Released in 2007 via Touch & Go Records, Shellac’s Excellent Italian Greyhound is a concise and intense collection that distills the band’s minimalist, post-hardcore aesthetic into nine tightly constructed tracks. Following the measured precision of their earlier work, this album balances jagged riffs, complex rhythms, and pointed lyrical commentary, reaffirming Shellac’s reputation for unflinching, no-frills rock.

The album opens with The End of Radio, immediately establishing the trademark stop-start rhythms and angular guitar work that define the band’s sound. Throughout Excellent Italian Greyhound, tracks like Genuine Lulabelle and Alfie showcase the trio’s ability to combine tension, repetition, and controlled aggression, producing songs that feel urgent without ever feeling rushed.

Instrumentation is deliberate and razor-sharp. Stephen Carpenter’s guitar lines bite and loop with precision, Bob Weston’s bass locks tightly with Todd Trainer’s punchy, often intricate drumming, and the vocals deliver direct, almost sardonic messages that complement the music’s stark intensity. Production is clean and unadorned, giving space to each element while preserving the raw immediacy of their performance.

Excellent Italian Greyhound is not about melody or conventional hooks; it rewards listeners who appreciate minimalism, rhythmically complex structures, and the interplay of restraint and force. Some tracks lean toward repetition, but within Shellac’s aesthetic, this creates hypnotic tension rather than monotony.

Overall, Excellent Italian Greyhound captures Shellac at a refined peak of clarity and intent. The album demonstrates that even decades into their career, the band can deliver music that is direct, challenging, and meticulously crafted, offering a starkly compelling experience for both long-time fans and newcomers willing to embrace their austere vision.