What makes The End of Radio by Shellac notable?

The End of Radio received critical acclaim upon its release, featuring in several year-end lists and reinforcing Shellac's reputation as pioneers in the indie rock scene. The album's title track was particularly noted for its commentary on the state of modern media, showcasing the band's social awareness and cultural relevance. Released on June 14, 2019, The End of Radio is Shellac's first album since 2007's Excellent Italian Greyhound, marking a significant return after a lengthy hiatus. This album showcases the band's continued evolution in sound and their commitment to unconventional song structures, solidifying their niche within the post-rock landscape.

How many songs are on The End of Radio?

The End of Radio has 12 tracks, running approximately 62 minutes.

The End of Radio

Shellac · 2019

62 min · 12 tracks · art rock

Angular guitar riffs intertwine with intricate rhythms, creating a dissonant yet captivating soundscape that defines Shellac's unique approach to art rock.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
The End of Radio — The title track blends hypnotic repetition with a biting critique of media saturation, encapsulating the album’s thematic exploration and sonic identity.
→
Ghosts — This track highlights Shellac's signature tight interplay between instruments, creating an unsettling atmosphere that perfectly captures the band's art rock ethos.
→
Crow — With its sharp dynamics and unconventional structure, Crow exemplifies Shellac's ability to challenge traditional song formats while maintaining an engaging narrative.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

61 /100

Treeline

Higher than 71% of albums we've rated

The album showcases intricate compositions and strong craftsmanship, maintaining Shellac's distinctive sound.

What we noticed

Several tracks incorporate spoken word elements, blending narrative with the music rather than relying solely on melody.
The title track is notably longer than most others, allowing for an extended exploration of its themes and motifs.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Spoke 2:03
2 Canada 2:28
3 Crow 4:45
4 Disgrace 3:39
5 Ghosts 4:22
6 The End of Radio 9:21
7 Canada 2:50
8 Paco 6:12
9 Steady as She Goes 5:05
10 Billiard Player Song 9:10
11 Dog and Pony Show 4:27
12 Il Porno Star 7:35

What to play next

Listen next

To All Trains

2024

Go back to

Dude Incredible

2014

Full Shellac discography Artists like Shellac

art rock

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata