New Mogwai: Mr. Beast
Coming in March 2006, Mogwai’s new full-length, Mr. Beast, is widely heralded as a return to form for the post-rock group. The band’s label, Matador Records, has this to say on their website:
Though there are still hints aplenty of subtle beauty that adorned big chunks of Rock Action and Happy Songs for Happy People, there are an equal portion of headcrushers on this one that will leave you gasping for air. Particularly if you’ve been wearing a plastic bag over your face (which we do not recommend, by the way).
Produced in Glasgow at Mogwai’s Castle of Doom studio, Mr. Beast sees Mogwai consciously trying to remove themselves from the “quiet-loud/quiet-loud” formula. Says guitarist and vocalist Stuart Braithwaite, “we had begun to realise that there was a big difference between our live shows and our records, and there was no real reason for that. We wanted to make a record that we were going to enjoy playing live.” Two songs from the album, which leaked about a week and a half ago, can be downloaded below.
Mogwai, Auto Rock
The album opener, “Auto Rock” starts as a mellow piano introduction to the album that slowly gives way to pounding drums and forceful guitar.
Mogwai, Acid Food
This track features a country-tinged steel guitar and hushed vocals, but the clear processed drum beat in the background keeps it from taking the completely shocking turn (for Mogwai) in to straight country.
Early buzz around this album has been positive, though I do feel it leans more towards to mellow side of Mogwai. Braithwaite and co.’s decision to distance themselves from the “quiet-loud/quiet-loud” formula they’s so mastered was a definite positive, as it lead most of their songs to start slower and end stronger, creating Sigur Ros-esque masterworks of sonic progression. This album, especially “Acid Food”, is absolutely a departure of sorts from Mogwai’s older works, and should serve to reassure the bands fanbase that Mogwai is still far from peaking and even farther from becoming complacent with their music.
December 23rd, 2005 at 11:09 pm
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