MOGWAI
Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will
Spunk / EMI

Scotland’s premier art rockers Mogwai don’t stay idle for too long and since releasing a live album and DVD as well as signing to revered Sub Pop label in the USA have thought it timely to release a seventh studio album Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will.
Returning to long time friend Paul Savage, the man responsible for producing the band’s Young Team album of 1997, has ensured that the Mogwai sound is captured in its purest form. Rano Pano finds the quintet at their distorted best without sacrificing anything in melody. The wall of guitars is ever present and is joined by a subtly dynamic keyboard line.
Death Ray is a moody beast that scales great heights as does George Square Thatcher Death Party and has the band in relatively unfamiliar territory as vocals are added to the mix. As always the band deliver some cracking song titles and You’re Lionel Richie is the finest here. It also contains all the peaks and troughs that make Mogwai leaders good at what they do.
Having always been able to find the middle ground between where brutal meets beautiful. Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will is no exception.

_CHRIS HAVERCROFT