Although technically they never left, it's good to see a return from Steve Albini and SHELLAC. Despite a seven year absence, their sixth full-length delivers the sprightly basslines, panicky vocals, and hot/cold technical noise rock that made them one of the more interesting bands of the 1990s.

SHELLAC's always had a knack for strong openers, and "The End of Radio" may be their strongest yet. From the very first note, the band lays the groundwork for what lies ahead; mind-numbing repetition, muscular bass playing, dissonant changes, and jams that seem like they'll never fucking end. "Steady as She Goes" locks into a liquid groove recalling the early "At Action Park" era, or perhaps some of the stoneresque chug from early MASTERS OF REALITY discs. Albini and crew never fail to test the listener's patience, a tendency demonstrated most vividly during "Genuine Lulabelle", a meandering collision of twisted SST-era punk riffs, noisy sound check-ish segments, and rambling Beefheart song-speak from Albini. But the bitterness of such nuggets fade quickly, especially when juxtaposed against material like "Boycott", a sure-fire, one-listen winner that presents Bob Weston's whirring bass action and jarring chord changes frosted with gorgeous open guitar fills.

Despite the long absence and flood of imitators clogging up the genre, SHELLAC once again shows the tenderfoots engaging and intricate cacophony done right. "Excellent Italian Greyhound" is highly recommended.

- Marchman

OFFICIAL SITE: myspace.com/shellacmusic

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