in which you ought to be listening to mogwai

so, mogwai is one of those bands that i really love yet, inexplicably, tend not to mention right away when somebody asks, "tell me some great bands to check out." and it's not because they aren't fabulous (because they are), or because they're forgettable (which they absolutely aren't) - i think it's just because mogwai is one of those bands that i've been digging for so long that they're just sort of there in my music subconsciousness. i can instantly tell if a song is a mogwai one (they've got a very distinct sound all to themselves), and i rarely ever skip them if they come up on my ipod like i do with some others (crushes that crash and burn quickly). take this blog, for example. i was debating what to write about (despite a number of bands awaiting review in my inbox) and thought - wait. have i done a post on mogwai yet? and if not, why? because people OUGHT to be listening to them.



difficult to classify because they transcend so many genres, mogwai is a fusion of distortion, building upon chord extensions, white noise, blindingly beautiful and haunting melodies, and, more often then not, a wee bit of sadness. there are traces of a lot of different bands found in mogwai, ranging from fugazi to my bloody valentine, and yet they manage to sound utterly unique in the vast wasteland of sameness that plagues much of popular music today. chances are, you'll never stumble across mogwai on any traditional radio station, but that doesn't mean they aren't worth the trouble of seeking out. listening to mogwai is a bit of an experience. you have to, in a way, trust the band as they take you on the journey they've crafted. typically free of lyrics, each song tells a story that has to be discovered, rather than simply handed over. it's almost like each song is a tiny pandora's box, and while some can be blistering, others can be so lovely that they very nearly blow your socks off.

yesterday's post about mountain man talked about the lack of instruments in certain songs. mogwai goes in the opposite direction, as there is hardly ever any lyrics to their music. here's what stuart braithwaite, guitarist and occasional vocalist, had to say about that:

I think most people are not used to having no lyrics to focus on. Lyrics are a real comfort to some people. I guess they like to sing along and when they can't do that with us they can get a bit upset.

despite being a lyrics girl, i totally appreciate and respect how mogwai doesn't need them.

today i'm offering up two songs off of mogwai's latest album, hardcore will never die, but you will with a bit of advice. if you're a mogwai virgin, for your first listen, let it just be you and the tunes. don't put them on in the background as you do dishes (although, you certainly should do so in the future, should you need excellent music to work to). instead, put on a pair of headphones and kick back. or put them on your ipod and listen to them in your car, with the windows rolled up tight so it's just you and the speakers. or lay down on your bed and put it on your stereo and turn it up high. you know what i mean. then let the song sink into you and open your mind up. don't try to think about what you need to do in fifteen minutes or in the morning or how you have to get so much done by x amount of time that you're about to burst. just take the moment and let the band do what they do best.

you'll be glad you did.

(mp3) rano pano by mogwai

and

(mp3) san pedro by mogwai

mogwai had to postpone their april tour dates - so if you want to see them, check them out at one of their upcoming fall shows:

September 26, 2011 - Webster Hall, New York City NY
September 27, 2011 - Webster Hall, New York City NY
September 28, 2011 - Starlight Ballroom, Philadelphia PA
September 29, 2011 - 930 Club, Washington DC
September 30, 2011 - Asbury Park Convention (NJ), Asbury Park NJ
October 1, 2011 - House of Blues (Boston), Boston MA"

buy hardcore will never die, but you will HERE.