Artist : LCD Soundsystem
Album : Sound Of Silver
Tracklist :
1. Get Innocuous
2. Time to Get Away
3. North American Scum
4. Someone Great
5. All My Friends
6. Us v. Them
7. Watch the Tapes
8. Sound of Silver
9. New York, I Love You
Rating : 6/10
When traversing the world of Electronica or some sort of hybrid of such, its important not to get caught up in the perceived intellectualism sometimes attached and just have a good time. And while many an indie poser may attempt to dissect or put too much thought and study onto electronic beats and simple melodies simply designed to get you up and moving, the more adept and familiar among us know that to relax and let the music move you, as with all good music, is what brings out the essence in the belly of the beast. Groove, as they say, is in the heart. And this is something that LCD Soundsystem clearly understand. Uncomplicated, unadorned, infectiously catchy and meticulously crafted, Sound Of Silver is worthy of gold from beginning to end.
The fact this is an album which is fun to listen to does not mean it isn't smart and interesting, however. It is indeed both. From the opening "Get Innocuous" with its funky percussive beats and spare guitar sketches to the piano driven centerpiece tune "All My Friends", main Soundsystem man James Murphy (also a noted "dance rock" producer) weaves musical magic that while relaxed and rockin' on one level is also creative and hip enough for the more discerning (or pretentious) among us. "North American Scum" recalls mid period Talking Heads in more ways then one while spilling pointed matter of fact lyrics about American and European youth culture all over the canvas, and "Us v Them" is so propulsive and catchy with its deep bass funk and lively percussion it really doesn't matter what Murphy has on his mind as he sings "Us and them/Over and over again", its just flat out fun and funky from the first note on.
The great thing about this album is the same as was great about the last full length LCD Soundsystem album, and that is its effortless blend and execution of mix, bringing together electronic sounds and instruments and throwing them into the pot with more conventional sounds and styles given us by simpler guitar, bass, and drum accompaniment. Nothing new of course, but Murphy and company go a long way to bringing genuine warmth and spirit to each track that won't leave the less electronica geared among us cold nor leave the dance mavens among us sitting on their collective arsess from lack of whatever it is that makes us get up and hit the floor with a shake in the hips and maybe a hit or two of X under our tongues. Mapping the same territory Fat Boy Slim, Moby, and The Chemical Brothers have mapped before them, LCD Soundsystem doesn't throw anything new onto the road, they simply keep it going, winding through some new sights and sounds of their own and expanding the territory for others to come along or follow. Fresh, funky, and if you care enough to care, with enough meat on its bones to just sit and listen if thats your place, Sound Of Silver shines as brightly as a brand new nicely polished nickel. And in this case a nickel goes a long way.
- Source by www.sputnikmusic.com
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