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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I first heard this album on John Peel's show - he played the first three tracks back to back and I was blown away by the energy and power of the music. Starting with Steve Albini's fantastically abrasive guitar riffs, then in comes Todd Trainer's crashing, booming drums (think Ringo Starr meets King Kong), Steve Weston with the most evil bass sound ever, and then Albini's shouting "Gotta eat what I pick, and I hope ya choke on it!", like he's about to explode. The rest of side one keeps up the energy, through the instrumental 'Pull The Cup', and particularly 'Crow' - lyrical insights into a twisted relationship set to rumbling bass and lopsided drums, the tension built with scabarous feedback dischords from Albini's guitar. Side two varies the pace and intensity, with the changing tempos of 'A Minute', the calm intro of 'The Idea Of North' like an oasis in the middle of a scrapyard, the sheer vitriol of 'Dog & Pony Show' and the dry humour of 'Il Porno Star'.
Recorded live in the studio, the arrangements are quite minimal and sparse but there's the genuine tension and energy which can only be generated by live performance, and it has the trademark Albini sound quality, making use of the room acoustics and purist analogue recording techniques. It's great to hear all the sophisitication and sweetening of modern music production stripped away, leaving a raw, stark recording in which nothing blunts the impact of the music.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By A. Wilson
Format:Audio CD
I first heard Shellac at the tender age of 12. At the time i was immersed in the trite, purile and over-produced garbage of youth targeted pop. I suddenly realised, with that first hand-sweep up the fret board that precedes the first track, that a different world lay beyond the sacharine-sweet ramblings i heard on the radio. A world where some acoustic, thundering drums, some pulsing trebly bass and razor sharp guitar could produce the most formidable sound imaginable.
At action park is Shellacs finest hour. Not long after thier self-discovery 7" eps, where Albini was cutting his productive teeth and not too long before they had firmly established their formula.
Right from the thundering MY BLACK ASS to the more pondering IDEA OF NORTH, this album radiates energy and reminds us all that simplicity is the key.....focus is the concern....power is the reward.
Long live SHELAC.
At action park is Shellacs finest hour. Not long after thier self-discovery 7" eps, where Albini was cutting his productive teeth and not too long before they had firmly established their formula.
Right from the thundering MY BLACK ASS to the more pondering IDEA OF NORTH, this album radiates energy and reminds us all that simplicity is the key.....focus is the concern....power is the reward.
Long live SHELAC.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Mr. P. Rigby
Format:Audio CD
Albini's ubiquitous influence in modern music is as much to do with this album as his terrifyingly large engineering credits.
At Action Park is without doubt the finest article in the Shellac catalogue, each track a tightly honed rock gem. It took me a couple of listens to get into this when my friend introduced me but...after those listens I've come to realise that this represents a benchmark in modern music and is a clear manifesto of what makes great rock music.
Post-rock in its attitude, math-rock in its delivery, AAP should be in every rock musician's library as a refresher course in what the point of rock music really is.
At Action Park is without doubt the finest article in the Shellac catalogue, each track a tightly honed rock gem. It took me a couple of listens to get into this when my friend introduced me but...after those listens I've come to realise that this represents a benchmark in modern music and is a clear manifesto of what makes great rock music.
Post-rock in its attitude, math-rock in its delivery, AAP should be in every rock musician's library as a refresher course in what the point of rock music really is.
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4.2 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Nuts
Literally, everything about this album is amazing. I can't even begin to express how good it is.
Please please please just buy it, borrow it or steal it, then pass it on.
Please please please just buy it, borrow it or steal it, then pass it on.
Published on 23 May 2009 by Mr G
5.0 out of 5 stars
John Peel
I remember seeing Shellac at the Phoenix Festival, 1994. In the crowd a few yards from me was John Peel, obviously enjoying the powerfully driving music and wonderful spectacle... Read more
Published on 22 May 2009 by J. Cadman
5.0 out of 5 stars
More refreshing than a swimming pool full of lucozade sport
The best album I've ever heard.
Published on 18 Mar 2004 by Paul Wright
5.0 out of 5 stars
Exciting stuff
Man, this excites you like a hot poker up da ass! Its scratchy and loud and percussive, and mean like a bitch! Read more
Published on 17 Mar 2004
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent!
From the very first chords of 'My Black Ass' this album never fails to impress. The 'production' is near perfect with a drum sound that John Bonham would envy. Read more
Published on 25 Mar 2002
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