Mogwai - Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will (Pias/Wall of Sound)
3/5
By: Matt Tomiak
In 2006 Mogwai provided the soundtrack to Zidane: A 21st Century Portrait, an intriguing project in which the sublimely talented yet combustible French midfielder Zinedine Zidane was followed on camera at close quarters over the entire duration of a Real Madrid fixture. An unusual pairing at a first glance, but on reflection one that represents a highly apposite combination, given both the Glaswegian noiseniks and the legendary ex-France and Juventus Number 10 share a mutual penchant for sublime craftsmanship interspersed with bursts of untamed ferocity.
Zizou might have retired after infamously nutting Marco Materazzi in the '06 World Cup final, but it's been a fruitful past half-decade or so for Mogwai. In addition to the Zidane film score, releases in the last five years also included the leviathan rock chops of Mr Beast (a former Rockfeedback record of the year, no less), 2008's The Hawk Is Howling and a live LP, Special Moves last year, cementing the band's place as post-rock elder statesmen.
There are some interesting touches on Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will - the krautrocky 'Mexican Grand Prix' and phosphorescent Kevin Shields-isms of 'Rano Pano', but fans will be reassured to find the band's impish sense of mischief firmly intact.
The blistering climax to this record is a track entitled 'You're Lionel Richie' and leader Stuart Braithwaite offers some vocoder-manipulated vocals on 'George Square Thatcher Death Party.' After seven studio albums Mogwai might be contemplating mortality, but they're not doing it quietly.
Artists in this article: Mogwai
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