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Product Description
Review
A provocative title, an opening track called White Noise: surely, say all on-paper signs, this is a return to the squall of old, to the tumult and turbulence that characterised the finest moments of Mogwai’s early catalogue. Not so, it turns out, as such signifiers are red herrings, distracting expectation away from where it should be, from measured maturity to reckless tinnitus. Now at studio album number seven, it’s actually more likely that that the Scottish quintet have eased off the accelerator a little. And that’s precisely what they have done, with Hardcore… perhaps their most wonderfully understated, delightfully melodic offering yet.
Of course, there is noise where it needs to be – closer You’re Lionel Richie can’t maintain a straight face for its full duration, and eventually cracks under the unseen force of cloaked amplifiers which dismantle a hypnotic riff into crackling debris. But, mostly, this is a set best suited for quiet moments of contemplation. Letters to the Metro could be combustive – its title hints at volatile subject matter, of angry words published to rally against another reader’s point of view – but it saunters, unhurried, a guitar’s waning moan the sole hook to hang on to as all around gentle chimes and barely there percussion play their background roles. Mexican Grand Prix is rather more lively, its motorik groove a nod to both Krautrockers past and the band’s own-label (Rock Action) labelmates, Errors; distorted vocals punch through the mix, the overall effect something close to the ghost of Mark Linkous guesting on a Kraftwerk record. Rano Pano, meanwhile, is the sort of cyclical composition solely designed to throw one’s grasp of time into the ether.
White Noise is the tone-setter – guitars set to dance among the stars rather than drill down to the very depths of Hell. But Hardcore… isn’t as one-dimensional as a record full of similarly paced, primarily instrumental tracks usually proves to be. The reason: its makers are (while not exactly long in the tooth, individually) master craftsmen when it comes to this variety of rock (choose, and use, your own prefix). Guitarist Stuart Braithwaite is only 34; Mogwai’s debut album, the aptly titled Young Team, was released in 1997. Band and its members, and their music, have grown up together, without any externally engineered agenda to pursue. So while Hardcore… is a shift of speed, downwards, it’s only a gear change rather than a signal that the whole journey’s coming to an end. It’s not, and with these guys at the controls one can only imagine where they’ll have taken us in another 14 years.
--Mike Diver
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CD Description
1CD version of Mogwai's critically acclaimed album 'Hardcore Will Never Die...'
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
17 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This is, to sum it up to it's fullest, a Mogwai album. Listen to it for even the shortest time and you'll recognize the great sound of the band. But there's something else in there. Just because it's a Mogwai album doesn't mean it's a replica of albums of old. THere are subtle tweaks to the system here, and for the most part, they work brilliantly. The almost arcade-like feel to "Mexican Grand Prix" is both interesting and exciting. In a similiar vein, "George Square Thatcher Death Party" (Possibly the best song title of all time?) is another high powered song. At the other end of the spectrum, the opener "White Noise" is a floaty yet expansive song that opens the album perfectly. Incidentally, he production overall is excellent, with subtle touches like the quiet speaking in the former, or the robotic singing in the aforementioned "Mexican Grand Prix".
But really, the best moments here are when Mogwai really bring out the "Mogwai" feel. The finale, "You're Lionel Richie" is a fantastic 8 minutes sweep in the band's truest fashion, showing that even when they stick to their guns the result is just as good, if not better. The first single of Hardcore is "Rano Pano", another standout here. Capitalizing on one key riff and expanding it to a huge blast of sound near the end, it's one of the most exciting songs here.
However, it's not a complete classic. I mean, for the most part the songs are very good, but there's just something slightly missing. Despite some new changes, there's not really much innovation here. Like I said at the beginning, it is, despite everything, still a Mogwai album. And for me, that's a brilliant thing and for most people reading this, it'll be brilliant for them too. But at the same time, it's still not a great thing to hear the first half minute of a song and be able to guess where it's going. It's certainly not a big point and it's not really going to slow your enjoyment of what is, really, a great album. Just bear in mind that it's still not quite a Young Team.
One more thing! Not sure why I forgot to mention this earlier, but the extra disc is absoltuely worth it. The extra song, the 23 minutes long epic "Music For a Forgotten Future", is a beautiful sprawl with strings and great movements. All I can say is that the movie it was originally meant for must have sounded great!
But yes, Hardcore will Never Die, But You Will comes highly recommended for fans of the band, and for newcomers there's lots here to bring you into the band!
But really, the best moments here are when Mogwai really bring out the "Mogwai" feel. The finale, "You're Lionel Richie" is a fantastic 8 minutes sweep in the band's truest fashion, showing that even when they stick to their guns the result is just as good, if not better. The first single of Hardcore is "Rano Pano", another standout here. Capitalizing on one key riff and expanding it to a huge blast of sound near the end, it's one of the most exciting songs here.
However, it's not a complete classic. I mean, for the most part the songs are very good, but there's just something slightly missing. Despite some new changes, there's not really much innovation here. Like I said at the beginning, it is, despite everything, still a Mogwai album. And for me, that's a brilliant thing and for most people reading this, it'll be brilliant for them too. But at the same time, it's still not a great thing to hear the first half minute of a song and be able to guess where it's going. It's certainly not a big point and it's not really going to slow your enjoyment of what is, really, a great album. Just bear in mind that it's still not quite a Young Team.
One more thing! Not sure why I forgot to mention this earlier, but the extra disc is absoltuely worth it. The extra song, the 23 minutes long epic "Music For a Forgotten Future", is a beautiful sprawl with strings and great movements. All I can say is that the movie it was originally meant for must have sounded great!
But yes, Hardcore will Never Die, But You Will comes highly recommended for fans of the band, and for newcomers there's lots here to bring you into the band!
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Since "Come On Die Young", I've been waiting to a Mogwai album to blow me away from start to finish. "My Father My King" was awesome, but hardly an album. "Zidane" came close. All the others have truly inspired moments, especially "Hawk Is Howling". But for me, there was always one or two tracks that didn't quite do it for me or the 'production' wasn't deep enough or something else.
My wait is over. I am ecstatic about this album. No complaints. No doubts. No ifs or buts. Clearly, it is early days, and I've still got a lot to take in. But I have heard enough albums now to spot something that will last.
A fantastic album. Buy it!
Then buy Amplifier's The Octopus
My wait is over. I am ecstatic about this album. No complaints. No doubts. No ifs or buts. Clearly, it is early days, and I've still got a lot to take in. But I have heard enough albums now to spot something that will last.
A fantastic album. Buy it!
Then buy Amplifier's The Octopus
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Its a good album no doubt with some catch electro tunes and is superb value for the two discs. Long term mogwai fans wont be let down by this but I don't think its as good as the hawk is howling. Still thats just my opinion, enjoy :)
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
My first Mogwai album
I haven't really listened to any Mogwai before. I took a punt on this album based on a friend's recommendation. It is mostly instrumental. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Craig Twyman
Yawno
This is my first introduction to Mogwai and having heard of them in Ian Rankin books I was looking forward to hearing their music. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Cj Richardson
gorrillas in the mist
.....vanessa feltz visits fossey in the vale of york.
very melodic. some nice electronica. more depth to the sound. but thats cos im listening in a well.
.......... Read more
very melodic. some nice electronica. more depth to the sound. but thats cos im listening in a well.
.......... Read more
Published 12 months ago by luvtodog. woofwoof.
I guess it's just me
...try though I might I just can't get it.
Mogwai have provided the soundtrack to my life for the last 6 years or so and in that time hardly 2 days have gone by without... Read more
Mogwai have provided the soundtrack to my life for the last 6 years or so and in that time hardly 2 days have gone by without... Read more
Published 12 months ago by Stu_cj
It's a Mogwai record
If you already like Mogwai then there will probably be no complaints here. For me not their best effort, not as heavy as they can be, but still pretty good.
Published 14 months ago by SJ
This may be their best album
Have to admit I'd almost written Mogwai off. The last two albums had a few decent songs on but were a bit average. I only really checked this out in passing on Spotify. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Andy Barnard
Uplifting
Another Mogwai album - another great album, in fact possibly one of their best. Quite how they keep doing it year on year, when most bands have brief creative peak, is beyond me. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Lendrick
soundtracks to the imagination.
Album umpteen for the Scottish art noise terrorists, and the once again, impeccably titled "Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will", proves - if nothing else - Mogwai write the best... Read more
Published 14 months ago by Mr. M. A. Reed
Hello
I'm going to see them in Birmingham this Thurs. Death Rays is the stunner here for me. Too Raging To Cheers as well. Mexican Grand Prix krautrocky. Needs a few listens as usual.
Published 15 months ago by Dr. I. E. Crompton
Another Class Album From Mogwai
There's quite a few in-depth reviews here already, so this isn't going to be one.
The album is more 'electronic' if that makes sense especially the 1st half - Mexican... Read more
The album is more 'electronic' if that makes sense especially the 1st half - Mexican... Read more
Published 15 months ago by Fatpie 1664
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