Mogwai unleashes a beast

By Scott Orwig
Collegian Staff
March 22, 2006

Mogwai has built a career out of crushing post-rock epics like “Mogwai Fear Satan” and “Like Herod.” Whereas many bands’ songs turn completely self-indulgent once they pass the five minute mark, this is precisely where Mogwai hits its stride. Although the vast majority of their songs feature no vocals whatsoever, the walls of sound that Mogwai create during that time prove to be equally, if not more compelling than nearly any other band.

With that said, it comes as a shock to learn that Mr. Beast, the Glasgow band’s fifth proper album, features no songs that exceed six minutes. In spite of the curtailed song lengths, however, Mr. Beast still manages to capture at least some of the intensity of a Mogwai live show, albeit in abbreviated form.

Album opener “Auto Rock” begins with an understated piano and gradually adds layer after layer of noise, all the while being underscored by a plodding and persistent drum beat. All of the building, though, proves ultimately unsatisfying, as the song comes to a less-than-exciting close. Although “Auto Rock” fails to work as a compelling song on its own merits, it serves as an excellent introduction to the scorching “Glasgow Mega-Snake.”

Clocking in at just over three minutes, the song lacks the intricate structure of the bands lengthier songs, but has all of the guitar-driven intensity the band is known for. The following track, the atmospheric “Acid Food” provides the albums first vocal track. As on previous albums, the vocals are more or less another instrument for the band to work with-they are noticeable, but never stand out any more than the guitar, drum or synth parts.

The rest of the album is just more of Mogwai being Mogwai. Even if the songs never manage to reach the grand lengths of some of their earlier work, all of the elements still remain. Mr. Beast’s greatest strength lies in the relative unity of the songs; while drastically different in their own right, the albums 10 songs segue flawlessly into one another. The album’s excellent flow provides the illusion of longer songs, while simultaneously leaving the listener wanting more. Fans expecting another Young Team may be disappointed, but overall, Mr. Beast is a solid record that has everything people expect from Mogwai, just not as much of it.

orwigs1@lasalle.edu