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LCD Soundsystem

Sound of Silver (2007)
EMI Group

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Contributed by: superskabro
(others by this writer | submit your own)

Published on April 13th 2007

Okay, everybody. Give a huge round of applause to the Killers. They tried their hardest, and by golly, they nearly killed dance-punk in one fell swoop. With their debut album, the Killers took a sound, that of dance-punk (a sound that had been gestating in the underground through bands like the Rapture, Hot Hot Heat and Radio Four) and created a crappy, watered-down sound perfect for the teeny-boppers who were just beginning to emerge from their boy band phase. That way, no self-respecting dance-punk band could continue making music without people associating them with the Killers.

Well, the Killers ultimately failed. A few bands, namely LCD Soundsystem, are soldiering on.

With their first album, LCD Soundsystem garnered a lot of hype, and lived up to it. It was simple, it was fun and it was smart. A killer combination, especially for dance music (which often ends up being convoluted, boring and stupid). With Sound of Silver, LCDS has broken beyond the hype and all expectations.

The opening track, "Get Innocuous!" has a strong Kraftwerk and Brian Eno vibe to it, which more or less sets the vibe for the rest of the album. The single "North American Scum," while funny, is easily the weakest track on the disc. The shouty female backup vocals conjure up Le Tigre comparisons, for better or for worse. Lead singer / producer / mastermind James Murphy’s voice sounds great, not grating like some dance-punk vocals can tend to be.

Sound of Silver really kicks into overdrive with the chilling "Someone Great." Like most of the rest of the album, "Someone Great" carries a strong Kraftwerk vibe, but with more of an emphasis on lyrics. The lyrics focus on the passing of, well, someone great. With a beat that could put the Postal Service (uh, the band) to shame, "Someone Great" is bound to make it onto iPod playlists everywhere.

The highlight of the album is the funky jam "Us v Them." More than anything else, "Us v them" is reminiscent of Speaking in Tongues-era Talking Heads. Once again James Murphy utilizes his thorough understanding of dance and minimalist music to make an amazing song. If you find that "Us v Them" does not make you want to dance, then you should probably see a doctor.

The album ends with the remarkably un-dancey "New York, I Love You But You're Bringing Me Down." It is a wonderful love song to a city that has done so much for music, but that is apparently dragging James Murphy down. “New York” swaps out the cowbells and disco beats for simple piano that gives way, in the end, to head-banging guitars; a perfect way to end a nearly perfect album.

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milesqtoast (March 19, 2011)

wow, I have no recollection of saying that and it sounds ridiculously catty to me. Sorry mang. Alcohol, right?

milesqtoast (February 14, 2011)

I feel like this is probably a fantastic review, hurt only by the user name of it's writer.

rocktopus (June 6, 2008)

I love this record. Wouldn't really class it as dance-punk (whatever that is). But if you are into good electro I strongly suggest you check out a band called Digitalism. Their record Idealism is fucking awesome. Go on kids, have a dance.

Biped_Casserole (March 21, 2008)

i don't think i've ever heard anything more annoying than this fucker and his bleeps. in all seriousness, he should be crucified.

markrowan (April 15, 2007)

great album...i don't know if 'dance-punk' is the right genre for this, but oh well.

Anonymous (April 14, 2007)

this cds great,especiall "all my friends", but I'm suprised to see this reviewed,while theres still nothing for the new black lips live disc.

Cos (April 14, 2007)

I'm torn. The songs are good but too many just go for too long for no reason. There's no real "Ummph" to this record. The last one had lots of fun, fast crazy songs. This one sounds like a more disco-oriented New Order.

But I really like New Order. So, I'm torn.

Anonymous (April 13, 2007)

Oi! This ain't punk.. whats it doin on ere? Bullocks.. I'm to fuckin punk and drunk and pissed for this shite..

All my Friends is an excellent song.. nuff said..

danperrone (April 13, 2007)

this album is too fucking good

and "all my friends" is going to be the best track of 2007

SloaneDaley (April 13, 2007)

Kool And The Gang > This

Anonymous (April 13, 2007)

give me a break. really, does this need to be posted on this site? nope!

Anonymous (April 13, 2007)

all my friends is the best track that james murphy has ever written.
this album is good.

superskabro (April 13, 2007)

I used "Dance-Punk" as a blanket phrase. I could have called LCD's sound "Eno-ish Dicso-Garage Funk", but, it falls under the category (roughly) of Dance-Punk. So, for the sake of the review, I used "Dance-Punk. Bad Religion and Operation Ivy sound nothing alike, but are still punk. The Rapture and LCD Soundsystem sound nothing alike, but are still dance-punk. SHEESH!

Anonymous (April 13, 2007)

terrible, and dance punk?, get real.-oldpunker-

red_eye_inc (April 13, 2007)

eurotrashnews.org

Ianw (April 13, 2007)

Why do you guys have to make up names for what is just super fun Disco?

youwinalemon (April 13, 2007)

As good as you've heard.

I don't know if I quite buy the dance-punk label this record gets, though. I suppose it fits in a way, but this record just seems so ahead of what most "dance-punk" bands are doing.

Maybe it's just that they sound nothing like Gang of Four, unlike 90% of the world's dance-punk groups.