Mogwai - Hardcore Will Never Die But You Will

When will Mogwai make a bad record? I have long wanted to write about Martin Bulloch, but despite his awesome playing, I couldn't find anything on previous Mogwai records that I hadn't already talked about with some other similar players. Instead of forcing it, I figured I would just wait, and lo and behold, Mogwai released Hardcore Will Never Die But You Will and this post practically writes itself.

On previous records, Martin would usually adjust the volume of his playing to change and affect the mood. Quiet playing for quiet parts, loud playing for loud parts. Simple really, and effective. But with HWNDBYW he plays hard, with consistent volume and relies more on the technique to push things forward, and it's fucking great. Take a song like Mexican Grand Prix which starts with a bare kick/snare pattern. It's already pretty punchy and has a lot of momentum, and then simply by adding the high hat he takes it so much further. Nicely placed high hat flourishes and snare/cymbal hits keep things interesting, but it's always grounded. This is a drummer who we've been able to hear mature over the last few Mogwai records, and it's a big contributor to why Mogwai are still an interesting and relevant band sixteen years into their career.

We get sort of a throwback to early Mogwai with songs like Rano Pano and Death Waves, which have pretty consistent guitar/bass patterns, allowing Martin a little more room to play with the timing and drive of his patterns. It's incredible how rooted his feet and snare had stay while he travels around his drums, the man is a rock.

Martin seems to have developed a better feel for softness as well, giving us some really lush brush playing of Letters To The Metro. It's one of the slowest tracks, but it is one of my favorites.

Bulloch is an example of a good drummer taking a proper look at his rhythmic position in his band, and over time finding a way to let his personality and style shine through the limitations, becoming a great drummer. I don't think there is a bad track on this record, and it's insane to think that a band that has been together for sixteen years is still recording some of the best music of their careers.

Mogwai and Lady Gaga are both playing in Montreal on April 25th. I'm driving up from Halifax. I'm going to let you guess who I'm going to go see.