Mogwai
Rock Action
- Matador Records
Release Date: May 2001
Scottish group Mogwai's third LP Rock Action is surging ambience that will mesmerize listeners with their expected droning grooves which are more rock steady that past releases. Rock Action shows the evolution from the jarring soft-loud stanzas that were their signature on Young Team (1997) and Come On Die Young (1999). Still utilizing the atmospheric reverbs and surging filter sweeps their dynamics flow more evenly building each song into a frenzy. Songs like "You Don't Know Jesus" rock hard with big hooky builds that slowly grip the listener and refuse to release.
Another serious departure on Rock Action is the addition of vocals. On "Take Me Somewhere Nice" guitarist Stuart Braithwaite sings breathy, soft melancholy verses that are mixed low into the music -ala Slint, Codeine or Low. "Dial:Revenge" has trippy atmospheric words and vocals delivered by guest Gruff Rhys (Super Furry Animals).
"2 Rights Make 1 Wrong" is an indie-pop ballad that builds and builds and builds for about 4-minutes. Then mellowing out a notch, the song slowly dissolves with broken synth stabs, electronic drums, angelic processed vocals, and banjo exploring the new vibe for five and a half minutes.
Mogwai keeps it fresh on each release.
--Ben Segal
ben@outersound.com
