Mogwai
Rave Tapes
Up to now, my only experience of Mogwai has been their film soundtrack work, but judging from their new album Rave Tapes, that was a good introduction. The peices on this album have the same dynamic as the soundtrack to 28 Weeks Later: slow-burning intensity that builds into overwhelming riffs, like Part Chimp's polite, arty big brother. In fact, Part Chimp are probably the best band to compare them to. Rave Tapes doesn't have the crushing, mind-altering heavinness of a Part Chimp album, but the songs do focus atmosphere above melody or hooks, and they certainly sweep you along in the same way. There's a fair amount of distortion, but it mostly takes the form of a bit of fuzz, low down in the mix, adding to the atmosphere rather than changing the sound of the instruments.
Stand-out track "Blues Hour" is an exception to the uplifting atmosphere of the rest of the album. The minor-key chord progression and barely-decipherable vocals combine to give an impresssion of inexpressible sadness. It's like the band are desperately trying to communicate some deep sorrow.
Overall, this is an incredible album, and I onlly wish I had discovered this band earlier.
Rating: 9/10
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