Mogwai
Young Team

If Slint invented post-rock, Mogwai revolutionized it, with their sharp sounds, their arpeggios intertwining in a whirlwind of emotions, and finally the distortions overlapping like the layers of an onion... First and foremost, let's define Mogwai... Mogwai are a Scottish quartet, devoted to instrumental post-noise-rock (if we really have to define their genre...)... and this is probably their most representative album.

The album opens with the wonderful Like Herod, led by an arpeggiated bass as only Mogwai can do, then falling into a violent explosion of distortions, leaving the listener with their mouth agape at the majesty and power of this track.
The album continues with Yes! I Am a Long Way from Home, also initially led by an intriguing bass arpeggio, then overlaid with piercing guitar notes, which are heavily distorted in the distorted phase of the song... during which we can hear a compelling guitar melody accompanied by industrial quantities of noise and feedback at will.

Another spectacular song is undoubtedly Katrien, this time accompanied by spoken word that contributes, even if it seems impossible, to give a tone to the song. Even in this track, the clean arpeggio-distorted part structure alternates. For the third time, Mogwai amaze us with their melodies, and an average listener cannot remain bewildered in front of such compositional genius.

Next comes an exclusively piano piece, dragging us into a minute and a half of total relaxation, almost as if it were an interlude after so many distortions, demonstrating their ability to compose even a piece for piano.

After this short break, it resumes with Tracy, one of the album's strong pieces, characterized by the usual and essential arpeggios, this time decorated by a xylophone (or so it seems), then almost fading away, giving way to a phone conversation, which continues until the end of the piece.

Next, we find "Summer - Priority Version", a heavily modified version of "Summer", already present in "Ten Rapid". In this version, we find the alternation of clean parts to distorted parts, but only during the latter can we actually recognize the original melody of "Summer", played with a xylophone. Great track.

Next is "With Portfolio", mainly a "noise" piece, embellished by a repetitive yet compelling piano melody, almost like a second interlude before "R U Still in 2 It", a track introduced by an arpeggio emphasized by the presence of tremolo, which makes everything more exciting, and why not, unsettling. Then a voice enters, strictly spoken, followed by the presence of drums. The piece continues without major variations, except for the gradual fading of the sweet notes.

Then we find "A Cheery Wave from Stranded Youngsters", in which a piano is accompanied exclusively by a nearly tribal drum rhythm, giving the song a unique tone that, despite the apparent blandness of the piece, holds the listener's attention until the end.

In the last position, the best track of the album "Mogwai Fear Satan", a track I find very difficult to describe in words... it's a 16-minute piece, during which the same guitar melody repeats, sometimes distorted, sometimes accompanied by a flute, but always accompanied by a drum rhythm as simple as it is engaging. Once this track begins, it will be hard to abandon it...

In conclusion, Mogwai have delighted us with an album where the genius of this Scottish band emerges, which dared to follow in the footsteps of Slint, and the result is a delight for the ears... Highly recommended.