That Came Out the Wrong Way
I have a confession to make. I didn't used to be a Mogwai fan. Most of you probably don't care, but it might come as a surpise to you who've been following along, considering just how much instrumental rock I post. I probably put up at least one new instrumental rock band a month, but probably more. I love the stuff. But anyway, I distinctly remember being in England when "Come on Die Young" came out and not liking it. I said to my friend Michelle "This is music to shoot heroin to" and quietly dismissed it as boring.
What a fool I was! But whatever. We all make mistakes and we all grow. So I'm a fan now. I became a fan awhile back. It just took me a minute. Anyway, this new record is fucking fantastic. Easily one of the best records of the year so far. It's gorgeous.
Now, each song is decidedly different from the next, and the album doesn't seem to be telling a story, and that's fine. Some of these tracks are just oustanding, with sweeping rushes of guitars, quiet vocals and spoken poetry. It doesn't disappoint in the slightest, and mogwai fans have much to be thankful for. This track, which Matador records has kindly released as a set-up track, is a good representation of Mogwai's core strengths. The album has much stronger highlights though. The stunning "I Chose Horses" is a real standout, as is "Acid Food" which lays down beautiful pedal steel over drum machine beats -- with vocals!
Anyway, you're going to have to wait until March 7th to purchase the record, but it's worth the wait. It's absolutely amazing. Highly recommended.