EVERY COUNTRY'S SUN
Rock Action Records.
Post Rock.
Listening Format: CD
Scotland's Mogwai are considered to be one of the pioneers of the Post Rock movement, with classic, genre defining albums under their belt such as 'Young Team', 'Come On Die Young' and 'Happy Songs For Happy People'. If you claim to know anything about Post-Rock you'll probably know this band pretty well. Their '90s and early '00s output has all been very solid. In fact I even really enjoyed 2011's 'Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will'. However that album was really the start of a slippery slope for the otherwise untouchable band. They began to put out a release every year, whether it be new full length albums, remix albums, compilations, live recordings, and a few soundtracks ('Les Revenants' actually being a sombre discography highlight). Whilst Mogwai remain a devastating live force, it would be easy to accuse them of oversaturating an already stagnant genre with too many releases. Aside from Godspeed You! Black Emperor (who really take their time between releases), Post Rock really isn't as exciting as it was 10-15 years ago. Explosions In the Sky and Mono are also retreading the same old ground, Sigur Ros are putting out good material but with large gaps between their new material, some bands like Tortoise have changed style completely. So perhaps the leaders of the genre ought to be lighting the way in 2017?
Sadly this is not the case. Other than the departure of long time guitarist John Cummings, there are absolutely no surprises or fresh ideas in store for Mogwai, following the disappointing 'Rave Tapes' and the fairly decent but nothing to ride home about 'Atomic'. Opener 'Coolverine' is enjoyable enough, but really just Mogwai by the numbers at this point. 'Party in the Dark' at least stands out with the use of lead vocals. The track especially reaches back to 2001's 'Rock Action' record which experimented with Alternative Rock and Pop songs, but even still, Mogwai have executed these ideas with a far better impact in the past ('Hunted By a Freak, 'CODY'). 'Brain Sweeties' tries to go for something epic, textured and pounding, but just sort of ends up being pretty, but lacking any real sense of weight or drama. 'Crossing the Road Material' is a particular lowlight in Mogwai's entire back catalogue. This track is so painfully by the numbers and middle of the road, that I think they were actually aware if it when they came up with the title. It's really about as generic as Post Rock gets, It could have been made by some indie YouTuber in one of those "how to make a Mogwai track" kind of videos. The rest of the album is genuinely so bland and uneventful, that I am even struggling to think of anything to say about it. Fortunately it does end on a stronger note with 'Old Poisons' belting out roaring, doomy guitars, but even this track sounds awfully reminiscent of 'Bat Cat' from 2008's awesome 'The Hawk Is Howling' album.
At its best, 'Every Country's Sun' is mildly enjoyable and sophisticated. If you have never heard Mogwai or Post Rock before then, sure, I guess it won't be a horrible listen. But honestly for those who are more than experienced in the wonders of the genre, and this very band, then this album really is struggling to say ANYTHING remotely fresh, interesting or inspired. Mogwai have sadly become The Fall of their genre. This decade they have felt it acceptable to put out a release practically every year, recycling the same ideas and sounds over and over. 'Every Country's Sun' feels like the absolute nadir in their discography. There are so many all too familiar sounds, ideas and motifs that it is starting to border on parody. This album is so generic, so limp and so uninspired that it is somewhat sad to experience. I still maintain that Mogwai are a great band, in fact a groundbreaking one at some point, but now they are going for quantity over quality with seemingly no shame. Mogwai really need to take a hiatus, take a few years out, gather some stronger ideas together and then try again. It is sad to listen to a band who clearly have so much talent and good ideas in them, content to just knock out sub B-side quality material. This is the sound of a great band batting way, way below their potential, and seemingly feeling more than happy to do so. 4/10.
No comments:
Post a Comment