Mogwai

Mogwai: Hardcore Will Never Die, But You WillHardcore Will Never Die, But You Will (2011)
Sub Pop Records

Reviewer Rating: 3

User Rating:

Contributed by: JeloneJelone
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Published on February 25th 2011Mogwai's new album, Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will has a lot working against it. It's less anthemic than its predecessor, the underrated The Hawk Is Howling. It's yet another record that defies the heavy rock of Mogwai's debut, Young Team. And on top of that, it takes a hilariously hardcore t.

Mogwai's new album, Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will has a lot working against it. It's less anthemic than its predecessor, the underrated The Hawk Is Howling. It's yet another record that defies the heavy rock of Mogwai's debut, Young Team. And on top of that, it takes a hilariously hardcore title and wastes it on a delicate post-rock album.

Speaking as a fan of Young Team's heaviness and Hawk's expansiveness in equal measures, I find Hardcore middling. Opener "White Noise" is hypnotically droning and announces a newfound love of electronics, but "Mexican Grand Prix" takes that love too far, with organ blaring and syncopated beats bumping. The whispered, vocoder-tweaked vocals seem superfluous. I'd rather just hear the keyboard line. Still, this makes for excellent background music.

Mogwai likes to rock, though, so Young Team fans should enjoy the lumbering "Rano Pano". This tune is slow and heavy, and while it could use a nice guitar freakout, there's something comforting about the way Mogwai adds layers and layers of noise in a nice succession.

But that's Hardcore's problem. It's too nice. It's not the worst Mogwai record (I'd go with Come On Die Young, personally), but it's certainly not their best, either. The record passes by pleasantly while it's on, but after a week of listening I'm still not retaining too much. Sure, it's instrumental music, but any Mogwai fan should be able to recall the guitar work on "Like Herod" or the way the drums and synth intertwine on "The Sun Smells Too Loud". Hardcore is perhaps too good at being subtle.

But hey, this is Mogwai we're talking about. Hardcore has plenty of ethereal charm coupled with the occasional foray in rawkin'. A limited edition bonus disc, featuring music for an art installation by Douglas Gordon and Olaf Nicolai, is appealing in an ambient way. At this point, Mogwai is just playing for the converted, but I'd still put their last three albums up against their first three any day.

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Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not respon sible for them in any way. Seriously.

DickAround (August 2, 2011)

Loved this album. Actually a lot more than anything since Come On Die Young, which is their best (reviewer sucks automatically for that one).

Lysdexia (February 26, 2011)

"Underrated" for the Hawk Is Howling? That album was lame. The first three tracks are almost the exact same as the first three on Mr. Beast. I love Mogwai, but come on. This album was really good, though. I love it from start to finish.

Wesley_Snipes (February 26, 2011)

Hardcore Will Never Die...











But Jews Will

wearestillalive (February 25, 2011)

I like this album more than Hawk, it's a pretty good record. I've found it's perfect to have on when I'm transcribing interviews or something.
Also, I LOVE Come On Die Young, it's easily my favourite Mogwai album and don't really get why a lot of people don't like it. Christmas Steps is easily one of their best tracks. I dunno, I think I just prefer quiet Mogwai to loud Mogwai - I really like the Zidane soundtrack too - but this is loud Mogwai that I like.

Mezzanine347 (February 25, 2011)

Totally get what you mean about them playing to the converted. But I am the converted and I think this album is awesome, so.

iconoclast (February 25, 2011)

i have been really into this band for about 10 years and this is their best album yet!!! i am totally blown away..

dev (February 25, 2011)

Love this album from start to finish - especially San Pedro, which does actually get stuck in my head quite often.

CharlieLebowski (February 25, 2011)

Hey guess, check out the review I did of this one too!

http://lostinthestreetlights.blogspot.com/

devianter (February 25, 2011)

i enjoyed this. except parts with electronic music

tooflyandshy (February 25, 2011)

I haven't heard anything but this cd from this band, with that being said I like it alot. I will have to dig up their other albums.

DrGunn (February 25, 2011)

mogwai has been on cruise control for a while. to me, it sounds like they've lost their edge and just kind of go through the motions with each new album. i mean, at least come on die young was a band still risks.

leecorsoisapenis (February 25, 2011)

I think you hit the nail on the head with this review. It is kind of nice they don't play to people's expectations. Nothing crazy heavy like "Glasgow Mega-Snake." I tend to like the loud rocking numbers myself, but this album is pleasant. "How to be A Werewolf" is pretty damn good.