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Mogwai | Rock Action

CD, Southpaw/PIAS

Tekst: Ariën Rasmijn

Publicatiedatum: 01 juni 2001

Gasp! Another rift within the tightknit, self-righteous underground community! There's blood on the streets; young cognoscenti are fighting each other on message boards like rabid dogs, not even worrying about whether they'd forgotten to take off their (non-perscription) turtleshell glasses. The reason behind this crucial controversy: Mogwai, formerly a darling accross the board when it came to the art of the drone, managed to make a "different" record. The name: 'Rock Action'. It's hardly 'Rock', there's no 'Action', their trademark noise erruptions seem to be a thing of the past, and, hold your breath, Stuart Braithwaite sings again. So what's all the fuss about? Is this discussion even worth your time? Well, first of all, after a few listens you may realize that not much has really changed. Mogwai are still making music that relies on build-up and sustenance of atmosphere and tension. Only now they work with a wider, more nuanced pallet, and they actually try to make traditional songs. Violent outbursts are no longer the logical conclusion (As a matter of fact, there are hardly any.). The use of strings and acoustic instruments as well as ProTools show a decidedly more gentle band. But the lack of a good, satisfying crunch at more places than just on 'You Don't Know Jesus' (at least for overall dynamic's sake) is one of my two issues with this album. The other is the extensive use of vocals, unto itself not a problem, were it not for Braithwaite's less than spectacular singing voice. It does make you wonder why they wouldn't bring in more guest vocalists besides Super Furry Gruff Rhys ('Dial:Revenge'). But 'Rock Action' does deliver mightily, despite my above-mentioned qualms, starting with the fact that it is the first Mogwai longplayer you can actually listen to from start to finish without getting an overload. At 38 or so minutes it just fits nicely after it nestles in your head. Then there's the presence of tracks like 'Secret Pint', 'Take Somewhere Nice', and the downright uplifting '2 Rights Make 1 Wrong', brilliant songs that just might lay you to waste if you don't watch out. OK, so it's not as good as 'CODY' or as impacting as 'Young Team', but 'Rock Action' - given some gestation and forgiveness - remains a brave, soaring record by a band that is still getting smarter with every outing.

http://www.kindamuzik.net/recensie/mogwai/rock-action/295/
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