Mogwai/Bardo Pond - split 10"
(Matador)
Mogwai and Bardo Pond are currently touring together across the US (and a
couple dates in Canada). As a way of
celebrating the great rock extravaganza that is sure to be this tour,
they've released a split 10" to be sold
only at these shows. The packaging is minimal: respectably thick vinyl, no
insert, and a plain white sleeve
with each bands' most current logo screen-printed on each side of the
sleeve.
Mogwai's side has two new songs. The first is "D to E" which is a simple
(you guessed it) two chord pattern,
shifting between D and E. A trumpet quietly threads a melody through the
lush guitar parts, which is slowly
built upon with a delayed guitar. "Drum Machine" finishes their side, and
just as predictably, it features
a drum machine. A keyboard forms the backbone of this song, with two
guitars and a trumpet winding around the
main path on simple short tangents. As has become standard practice for
Mogwai, there are no raucous frenzies
of distortion on these two songs. However, both are beautiful, even keeled,
and great.
Bardo Pond's side has one new song, and an alternate version of "Despite the
Roar" from their new album, Dilate.
"Despite the Roar (In Spite of Themselves)" is an all electric version of
one of their forays into undeniable pop
(complete with discernible lyrics, mostly), which is paired down a bit, and
made to sound much like the version
they played at the show I bought the 10" at. "Highlands" slows everything
down to a crawl. Sparse volume swells
and fuzz bass accents an airy drum beat.
Oh yeah, and best of all, you can forget how the music on this is great,
because if you get this, you could
probably sell it on eBay for some ridiculous amount, so be sure to buy as
many as they'll allow you to get your
grubby hands on!
|
