lcd soudsystem is not your 'usual' band and as a result do not create your 'usual' music. the band doesnt exist, rather it is a collaboration effort headed by james murphy who acts as vocals, producer, craetive genius who drives the lcd soundsystem train. the band comes together to play live shows through out the world, which during this past tour has seen them head to australia, europe, and all throughout the states leaving a sweaty trail of over danced and rocked out hipsters in its wake. these guys eat complements and articles heralding murphys musical genius as being the most innovative man in indie rock, and quite frankly they are pretty spot on. but lets cut through quickly and move past all the hipster 'holier than thou' bravado bull shit and let me tell you how much this cd rocks the house!
the grammy winning 'sound of silver' (best dance album in 2008) is exactly what the dance/elctronic music movement needed to burst onto the main stage and unite music fans with electronica buffs and dance freaks all around the world. the cds complex and creative beats are layered so perfectly that the sounds and beats blend together in ear soothing sounds. the open track of the album, 'get innocuous!' demonstrates this layering perfectly and deliberately. the track begins with a simple drum kit beat, followed by a couple of keys, then the bass line, then more keys, then the guitar, then the drum set, and wham the music is in full effect and you get introduced to some hauntingly inviting murphy lyrics. its electronica 101.
the opening track is then followed by 'its time to get away' which is a great example of why i use the 'punk' in lcds uber layered and composed punk dance-tronica genre - its stripped down, jagged, and has a bit of edge. the satirical and elevated level of lcd soundsystem is on display during the anthem 'north american scum'. upon looking at the track title you would think they are simply like the rest of the world and hate the us, but lcd soundsystem dispels all the rumors that they are british and proudly proclaim that they are infact 'north american scum' while demanding "wheres the love?!!?".
the next tune, 'someone great' is a beautiful track that i use all the time as my bait to get people to bite on the lcd fishing line! its got everything gorgeous lyrics, that air tight composition, and the flow that makes the song very linear starting narrow and ending very wide. the single off of the album is the next song entitled 'all my friends' and in my eyes deals
with the late twenties/mid thirties angst of the awkwardness of growing up and separation from where you have been before as you move on. but lets face it the lyrics are only half of this song the driving force like the rest of lcd soundsystems tunes is the composition and production of the music. 'us vs. them' the longest track of the album topping out at 8minutes and 30seconds and just comment on the fact that there can not possibly be more cowbell on track! i love it. 'watch all the tapes' comes next and again hints unashamedly at the groups punk influence all the while doing it in a electronic/dance setting. the title track comes next and with its thumping bass drum, high hat hitting, and driving beat makes it a dance anthem for the ages. the final track of the album is the lyrically driven tune called 'new york i love you but you are bringing me down'. the name of the song gives away murphys feelings and it wonderful to see or rather hear through the song the love hate relationship that exists for the composer and his home town. i can relate.
if i knew more about the production process of music i would of been able to of given this album its proper due. for now i will tell you to get a hold of the album, put it on the best audio system you can find, and turn it up real LOUD!
All My Friends
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