Album Review: Mogwai

Mogwai - 'Mogwai Young Team (re-issue).' (Chemikal Underground)

I had a dream the other night. No, this is true: I was talking to some of the younger students I teach and they were raving about Mogwai. It was a dream: I know, because I woke up then, and realised that a: it was absurd that kids who were born after Kurt Cobain died would know who Mogwai are, even here in Scotland, and b) I was dead excited about the tenth anniversary re-issue of this album.

I can't remember the first time I heard about Mogwai, but I remember that there were two things that clinched me having to buy the original issue of this album (obviously, on vinyl) in 1998. I'd heard them on a free CD with NME, and been blown away by a track called 'Ex-Cowboy' which would appear on the following year's Come On Die Young LP, and knew I had to get the album. Secondly, Andy Cairns from Therapy? had said that his definition of heaven was scuba diving listening to this album and Sonic Youth's Daydream Nation LP on waterproof headphones. Did such things exist? And who were this scottish band?

Well, there's been many wonderful Mogwai moments since then. The twenty minute long workout? epic? post-epic song that is 'My Father My King.' That gorgeous collaboration with the Super Furry Animals' Gruff Rhys 'Dial:Revenge' on the Rock Music LP. the thrill of seeing them get a top 40 single...and of course, finally getting to see them live in 2003 at Edinburgh's Queen's Hall. When they played 'Like Herod' at ...that moment, I thought I'd lose my hearing.

But you know, I'd rather lose my hearing and say it was down to 'Like Herod' than say 'My Heart Will Go On' or 'Money For Nothing.' And it's one of the standout tracks on this album. It was just so...other. I wasn't aware of the concept of post-rock then, but the songs on this album blew me away. I was just discovering label-mates Arab Strap at the same time, and was pleased to see Aidan Moffat was on the record too. What was with those titles? New Order's titles seemed random, but these titles were something else again. The record was instrumental, and yet there were voices, but where did this fit in?

So many surprises within the album. The opening 'Yes! I Am A Long Way From Home' the aforementioned '...Herod.' And then the finale on side 4 of the vinyl: 'Mogwai Fear Satan.' Just three notes or so it seems, but it takes the whole concept of repetition beyond anything that even The Fall had done with it. Is it like film music, music to lose yourself/find yourself in (this is not about polar opposites, indeed I think they are increasingly one and the same thing) or a manifesto?

And now, the album comes re-mastered (apparently the older version was difficult to hear in places), with bonus tracks. It's beautifully packaged, especially if you get the vinyl, and includes unreleased, live and rare as anything tracks. Their cover of 'Honey' by Spaceman 3 is gorgeous, though the only thing that let's the second disc down is what seems like a sloppy version of 'Summer (Priority Version).'

But, small quibbles. Is this the best album Mogwai have ever made? I'm not sure that I have a favourite, but I've fallen head over heels for this again.

And if I ever get to scuba dive, then I'm taking this, Daydream Nation and Therapy?'s Troublegum on underwater headphones. It would only be polite.

Mogwai website/Mogwai myspace

Mogwai -'Yes! I Am A Long Way From Home.' mp3

Album Review: Nozzle

Nozzle -'Empires' (Flowermountain Records)

The third album for Dave Blomberg sees this three-piece on fine form. Ten songs and forty minutes long, the album is solid and a joy to listen to. while many bands still persist in trying to fit as many songs onto the CD as will fit, often at the expense of any quality control, Nozzle show how it should be done.

The guitar-playing of Dave Blomberg is a particular joy. At the risk of sounding like some pre-punk hi-fi enthusiast (I am neither); for the real subtleties that make up this album make sure you give it a listen on headphones. Lyrically it's strong too. Blomberg played with New Model Army for a long time, and fans of that band will find much to enjoy here. His voice bears no relation to Justin Sullivan's, and it should be made clear that Nozzle do very much plough their own furrow. Their roots are in the DIY ethic and they have kept to that.

When so many rock bands become lost in over-production, over-instrumentation and sometimes just in being over the top, it's great to report that here is a band who do not feel the need to go down that route. There's heartfelt sincerity here, without ever becoming painfully earnest. Highlights of this album would include the title track, 'Complicated' and also the closer 'The End' the final chord of which lingers, like a pleasant audio after taste.

****

Nozzle -'Complicated.' mp3

Nozzle website/Nozzle MySpace

Album Review: Dom Deluca

Dom Deluca -'Birds Of worry.' (Independent)

Canadian Dom Deluca's first album is a joy from start to finish. A twelve song collection of self-penned songs, I've enjoyed the several listens I have had of this album.

If less is more, then the sheer simplicity of much of this album makes for something of pretty high stauture. Often just himself and an acoustic guitar, this is a quietly very effective listen. Driving around town in a mood that could be described as very black, the lightness of touch of the musicianship, the songs and his voice, couldn't fail to lift my spirits. He clearly wrotes from the heart, and his affection for Toronto and Canada comes through on this album, without any petty nationalistic concerns, which is particularly admirable.

The album doesn't re-wrote the rock hand book, and I'm even less sure what 'folk' means with every year that passes. As Morrissey once sang 'and I thought that if you had an acoustic guitar/that it meant that you were/a protest singer.' Dom Deluca is not a protest singer, I don't want to pigeonhole him, other than to say: File under damn fine singer-songwriter.

****

Dom Deluca -'Birds of Worry.' mp3

Dom Deluca -'Toronto.' mp3

Presenting...Lousy Robot

Yet another band who have been sitting in my inbox for quite a while. Apparently their second album Smile Like You Are Somewhere Else came out in 2006, but these tracks are still pretty amazing.

The band hail from Albuqueque, and to these ears sound like a post-punk version of Husker Du and early REM (yes, I know both these bands were post punk) and have a certain amount of catchiness. They're very American, and sound very cool. They also sound like the ideal soundtrack to warm afternoons at festivals. we here in scotland can but hope...

Apologies it's taken me a while to feature you guys, but i hope the 17 Seconds readers will like what they hear.

Lousy Robot -'Welome To My weird Awakening.' mp3

Lousy Robot -'It's Getting To Me.' mp3

Album Review: The Dawn Chorus

The Dawn Chorus -'The Big Adventure.' (Jellymaid Music)

Sigh. I feel a little bad about what I'm about to write, but I feel it's best to be honest.

I was really looking forward to hearing this album. I think 'The Hope Will Kill Us' is a great track and it's been on a best of 2008 playlist on my iPod for several months. However, several plays of the album later, and I'm forced to conceed that I feel this album is rather uneven, particularly in the first part. It reminds me of the Electric Soft Parade, a band from the early part of the decade, who promised much but ultimately delivered little.

Having been sent this album because I requested it, I feel bad that I'm not focusing enough on the positives of it. I like the trumpet playing, and I feel the album picks up about track six of twelve. But the two openers 'The Big Adventure Part 1' and, uh 'The Big Adventure Part 2' seem to mislay the pace a bit. Yes, of course albums should be rich and diverse tapestries. But somehow despite some very good songs, it doesn't seem to hang together to these ears.

I know, this is the product of a lot of people's work and that blood, sweat and tears will have gone into this. I still haven;t forgotten how much I liked -and still like - 'The Hope Will Kill Us.' So, sorry guys, close but no cigar. THe album doesn't cut it for me. But I hope i get to hear your second album, and I hope that I 'get' it better.

**1/2

The Dawn Chorus -'The Hope Will Kill Us.' mp3

Presenting...Eugene Francis Jr

The man above is one Eugene Francis Jr, who has just released his debut album The Golden Beatle in the UK. He's touring England (surely he couldn't have forgotten those of us in the Celtic fringe!) and for those of you lucky enough to be able to go and see him, on the evidence of this track alone, it might well be worth checking him out.

Eugene Francis Jr -'Beginners.' mp3

Jun 20 2008 21:00
ESQUIRES Bedford, South

Jun 21 2008 21:00
Forum Tunbridge Wells

Jun 22 2008 21:00
Rescue Room Nottingham

Jun 23 2008 21:00
10 Feet Tall Cardiff

Jun 24 2008 21:00
Fibbers York

Jun 25 2008 21:00
Bar Academy Oxford

Jun 26 2008 21:00
Club 85 Hertfordshire

Jun 27 2008 21:00
Bar Academy London

Jun 28 2008 21:00
Cockpit III Leeds

Feedback, as ever, is always welcome...

It's a lovely spring here in Scotland, and so it's time to make cliches while the sun shines.

What better than this, while even my hayfever hasn't yet kicked in to annoy me?

Rockers Delight -'Walking On Sunshine (Extended 12").' mp3

Garage Rock 'n' Roll revisited

Back in 2002, as NME readers wore badges proclaiming that they were 'heroes of the new rock revolution' it briefly seemed that a garage rock revivial was going to change the world. Franz Ferdinand were still fermenting their plans, The Futureheads were a hip secret, and the tabloids had yet to wake up to Pete Doherty.

These three tracks are great ones, and deservedly made the Festive Fifty of that year. I'm not sure that subsequent records matched up to these; the Datsuns got caught up in making sub-Led Zeppelin tributes, the Von Bondies became more famous for a spat with the White Stripes' Jack White and EMB-LD just went off.

So, no, I don't know what they're up to, but these tracks are still capable of putting a smile on my face.

Von Bondies - 'It Came From Japan.' mp3 (2002 Festive Fifty no.30=)

The Datsuns - 'In Love.' mp3 (2002 Festive Fifty no.21)

Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster -'Celebrate your Mother.' mp3 (2002 Festive Fifty no.46)

Shameful Confession #2

For anyone who doesn't understand how some bands go unheard, never mind the issues of mainstream and media saturation...it was so much harder before the internet.

Thus, while yesterday I 'fessed up to the fact that I hadn't got dance music for many years, today it is time to admit that Spacemen 3, those masters of Gospel-drone-psychedelia (or whatever) were a band I hadn't heard 'til pretty recently.

Sure, I knew the name, I have quite a bit of Spiritualized's stuff, and kept meaning to. But it didn't happen until...uh, last week I could finally say I had heard more than one or two tracks. Jason Pierce (now of Spiritualized) and Sonic Boom clearly paved the way for some amazing stuff, as well as being damn important themselves.

So, in order that you don't make the same mistake, here are two excellent tracks:

Spacemen 3 -'Lord Can You Hear Me.' mp3

Spacemen 3 -'Hypnotised.' mp3

There is a really great fan site here