They have a distinctive, minimalist sound based on unusual and urgent time signatures, repetitive heavy rhythms, an angular guitar sound, and Albini's surreal, bitingly sarcastic lyrics. Songs typically do not have traditional verse/chorus/verse structure and the arrangements are sparse, to the point where some describe them as "amelodic". Shellac's signature sound is often associated with their enthusiasm for vintage Travis Bean guitars, a rare brand of aluminium-based instruments. Albini is also known to use copper plectrums and unique guitar straps that fit around the waist rather than over the shoulder. The band prefers the intimacy of smaller clubs, and live appearances are sporadic.
Both Weston and Albini are renowned recording engineers, and use their preferred methods with Shellac: Albini prefers a very clean, analogue recording sound with little or no overdubbing, and he is meticulous about microphone placings and equipment - this is reflected in Shellac's no nonsense approach to their own music, both in the studio and live.
Shellac are also renowned for their unconventional modus operandi. Touring is often an excuse for the band to take time away from their day jobs (Albini and Weston are both recording engineers; Trainer works at a commercial photographer's studio in Minneapolis) instead of being used to promote a recent record or even for financial gain. Indeed, Shellac do not have a "fixed fee" for performances like most bands, instead preferring to take the door charge minus expenses such as promotion, running costs and venue fees. They have also been known to ask venues to remove ticket charges they regard as unnecessary, which have become common in Europe and America.
An early claim from the band was that all of their songs were about two of Albini's favourite subjects: Baseball and Canada. In actuality, Albini and Weston's songs can refer to a broad range of topics, from the highly emotional to examinations of everyday minutiae. However, regardless of the subject, each song is presented in the same deadpan, occasionally violent manner. An example can be found in the concluding tracks from the band's album 1000 Hurts. Although both songs have a title referring to a mundane house-hold object, these items are in actuality symbolic of a larger theme. Weston's "Shoe Song" deals with the realisation of love and its subsequent loss, whereas Albini's "Watch Song" details irrational anger and aggression. Shoe Song also heavily references post-rock band Slint, who were produced by Albini.
Shellac are known for their mercurial nature, which has produced some interesting records and events. Most notably, they recorded an instrumental album known as The Futurist for a modern dance troupe. Unwilling to grant what the band considered a sub-par recording a wider audience, they pressed approximately 700 vinyl LP copies of the music and gave them away as gifts to friends. The front cover was a list of the recipients, with the relevant name encircled. Shellac also played a Halloween show as the anarchic British punk group The Sex Pistols, featuring former The Jesus Lizard and Scratch Acid singer David Yow as Johnny Rotten. Both of the aforementioned can now be found on several file-sharing networks.
In 2002, the band was also responsible for curating the All Tomorrow's Parties festival in Camber Sands, England. Amongst fans of independent rock, these weekends have achieved legendary status and featured performances from some of the world's finest groups. Knowing that most of the audience had come specifically to see Shellac, the band went on first every morning as an incentive for the festival-goers to be up in time to see the other acts. An album of live tracks from this festival was also released on ATP Records.
In December 2004, Shellac recorded a final BBC Session dedicated their longtime fan John Peel. Peel had been an ardent supporter of the band and his death earlier in the year came as a great shock to the independent music community. In 2005, Shellac were recorded playing 'Steady As She Goes' in an abandoned house as part of a film project called Burn To Shine, organised by Fugazi drummer Brendan Canty and film-maker Christoph Green. This is the only available recorded video footage of the band playing live.
Song Against Itself
Shellac Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's of two minds of its own
The discussion brough to logical conclusion
It follows through
But is not true
We'll just write a song against itself
Why do you act like you don't know
It follows through
You have no clue
(I've already had it up with you)
(I've already had it up with you)
(I've already had it up with you)
(I've already had it up with you)
(I've already had it up with you)
The song "Song Against Itself" by Shellac is a meta-song that reflects the band's self-awareness of their own music. The lyrics suggest that the song is "of two minds of its own" and that it "follows through but is not true," indicating that the band is exploring the idea of creating a song that has multiple interpretations or conflicting messages. The chorus of "We'll just write a song against itself" reinforces this concept, suggesting that the band is attempting to subvert their own music by creating a song that is deliberately contradictory.
The second verse is directed towards a specific person who "acts like they don't know what in the world [the band is] talking about." This can be interpreted as a message to listeners who may not fully understand or appreciate the band's music, or perhaps it is aimed towards critics who have misunderstood the band's intentions. The repeated line of "I've already had it up with you" suggests frustration and impatience with this person or group.
Overall, "Song Against Itself" is a self-reflexive commentary on music creation and interpretation, exploring the idea of creating a song that is intentionally ambiguous or contradictory.
Line by Line Meaning
This is the song against itself
This song contradicts itself
It's of two minds of its own
It has conflicting ideas
The discussion brough to logical conclusion
The argument has come to a logical end
It follows through
It continues despite the contradiction
But is not true
Yet it lacks veracity
We'll just write a song against itself
We'll create a song that goes against its own message
Why do you act like you don't know
Why do you pretend to be ignorant
What in the world i'm talking about?
What is the subject matter of this song?
It follows through
The song continues to contradict itself
You have no clue
You simply don't understand
(I've already had it up with you)
I'm tired of you (repeated line)
(I've already had it up with you)
I'm done with you (repeated line)
(I've already had it up with you)
I can't take it anymore (repeated line)
(I've already had it up with you)
I'm finished with this argument (repeated line)
Contributed by Blake Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.