Kategorie: CD-Reviews | Genre: Artrock | Heft: Jahrgang 2014, eclipsed Nr. 157 / 2-2014 | VÖ-Jahr: 2014 | Wertung: 8/10 | Label: Rock Action | Autor: BSV
The self-confessed Celtic Glasgow fans are no longer the noisy boys they once started and became known as. This became clear at the latest on the dreamy, thoroughly melancholic "Les Revenants" (2013). The storm and urge of earlier works is still part of Mogwai's repertoire on this soundtrack album, but is only used in a reduced form - like a short déjà vu from his own past. The Scots act no differently on their new, eighth album "Rave Tapes". Quite a few fans will long for the aggressive guitars and the dynamic changes, but "Rave Tapes" doesn't offer them these. But it has other advantages: synthetic sounds, which change into sequences to rhythms, over it a discreet drum kit, some guitars. Of course the sound swells up, it gets demanding sometimes, it gets loud sometimes. But it never breaks out. Shortly before it could come to a climax, Mogwai simply stop. This is disappointing on the one hand, but on the other hand exciting - and beautiful, because the band dominates the calm, discovers in their grace and elegance. Heard About You Last Night" and "Repelish" are such discreet gems. In "Simon Ferocious" the guitar can howl. The slow "The Lord Is Out Of Control" then plays the band's typical vocoders, while "Blues Hour" and "No Medicine For Regret" become anthems. "Master Card" finally gets to rock out, but only in second gear. "Deesh" convinces with dull loop, guitars and strings. You don't have to be loud to make your voice heard. "Rave Tapes proves it. This is where the record differs from the battle songs of Celtic fans. Good news for Mogwai: Currently, the club is undisputedly number 1 in the Scottish Premiership.
Top track: Deesh