Mogwai // Rave Tapes
Post-rock heroes hit the peaks with their most consistent album yet.
Release Date: 20th February 2013
Mogwai // Rave Tapes (Rock Action)
After ten albums - including soundtracks - released over 19 years, Mogwai have reached what may just be the pinnacle of their career. In truth, this doesn't quite reach the peaks of, say, 'New Paths to Helicon', 'My Father My King' or 'Hunted by a Freak', but is their most consistent album yet. None of the ten tracks on offer is anything less than excellent.
Opener 'Heard About You' commences with what may be a heavily treated marimba and deep bass before the drums and guitars kick in. For a few seconds the bass and drums combine to recall 'Moments (In Love)' by Art of Noise, before returning to the main theme.
Quoting Freddie Mercury's nickname for Sid Vicious, 'Simon Ferocious' is all keyboard squelches, rumbling rhythm section and the occasional guitar squall. This is the closest thing to "rave" on the album, but rave reimagined as a collaboration between by Kevin Shields, David Holmes, Andrew Eldritch and Max Richter.
Arguably the highlight of the album, 'Remurdered' keeps with the earthquake-deep bass, but this time adding some intricate percussion: Kraftwerk-meets-80s-synthpop keys and typical post-rock guitar.
'Repelish' samples an American holding forth on the subliminal and satanic messages supposedly found on rock records, name-checking Zep, Alice Cooper and Jagger over music that is both distinctly foreboding and darkly beautiful.
The remaining six songs revisit templates used previously by Mogwai, but all both add fresh twists and never sink to self-plagiarism. In particular, the intertwining guitars and thunderous drums of 'Hexon Bogon' revisit the sounds of their early singles and 'Young Team', their full-length debut, whilst also acknowledging the debt the band owe Slint.
This does not explore territory that is new to Mogwai but it is far from an exercise in treading water. 'Rave Tapes' combines the best elements of Mogwai's back catalogue into one gloriously brilliant album. Ultimately, this is unlikely to change the minds of those who dislike Mogwai but existing fans should love it and this is an ideal place for anyone new to Mogwai to start.
Pavlis 9/10
Emma this ain't ready to go live yet! 'Tis a work in progress
Mogwai // Rave Tapes
Rock Action, Released 20th February 2013
After ten albums, including soundtracks, in 19 years, Mogwai have reached what may just be the pinnacle of their career. OK, this doesn't quite reach the peaks of, say, "New Paths To Helicon", "My Father My King" or "Hunted By A Freak" but this is the most consistent album yet. None of the ten tracks on offer is anything less than excellent,
Opener "Heard About You" commences with what may be a heavily treated marimba and deep bass before the drums and guitars kick in. At times, the bass and drums combine to hint at "Moments (In Love)" by Art of Noise.
Quoting Freddie Mercury's nickname for Sid Vicious, "Simon Ferocious" all keyboard squelches, rumbling rhythm section and the occasional guitar squall. This is the closest thing to "rave" on the album, if Kevin Shields, Aphex Twin and Max Richter ever collaborated on a dance track.
Arguably the highlight of the album, "Remurdered" keeps with the rumbling bass but this time adding some intricate percussion, Kraftwerk-meets-80s-synthpop keys and classic post-rock guitar.
In the intertwining guitars, thunderous drums and that rumbling bass of "Hexon Bogon", Mogwai revisit the sounds of their early singles and "Young Team" whilst also acknowledging the debt the band owe Slint.
"Repelish" samples an American holding forth on the subliminal and satanic messages supposedly found on heavy rock records by the likes of Zep, Alice Cooper and the Stones over music that manages to be both distinctly foreboding and darkly beautiful.
The remaining five songs revisit templates used previously by Mogwai but all both add fresh twists and never sink to self-plagiarism.
It has to be said that this does not explore any territory that is new to Mogwai but it is far from an exercise in treading water. What it does is combine the best elements of Mogwai's back catalogue into one gloriously brilliant album. Ultimately, this is unlikely to change the minds of those who dislike what Mogwai do but existing fans should love it and this is an ideal place for anyone new to Mogwai to start.
Pavlis 10/10
