1000 hurts

Description

Steve Albini has often acted like the grumpiest character in the American music scene. This highly noticeable trait is evident on Shellac's third album, 1000 Hurts, a noise rock masterpiece released in 2000, where Albini's anger seeps through the entire record. It must be said that integrity and authenticity are the main fuels for this man. According to the band, 1000 Hurts is an album "devoid of 12-minute songs" and "more petty" than its predecessors. The playing is direct and violent, much like the drummer, Todd Trainer, who gives the impression of hitting his drums with real logs. It's an immediate experience, as the album opens with the bubbling "Prayer To God," a track under three minutes where Steve Albini's rough voice is unencumbered by any metaphor. He calls upon the Almighty to solve his relationship problems and mentions his wife's lover: "Kill him, just fuckin kill him," he bellows. A true common thread, we find the influence of his divorce on "Canaveral," where he once again takes aim at the man responsible for his cuckolding. The rock of the late '80s is not far off; "Mama Gina" is in line with the Pixies' Surfer Rosa era (recorded by Albini), while "Watch Song" offers a guitar riff reminiscent of the one heard on "Kool Thing" by Sonic Youth. Shellac delivers an album of unprecedented violence, a true outlet for a Steve Albini more fired up than ever.