There aren't a whole lot of live drums on this electronic masterpiece by M83, but god damn is it ever amazing when they do come in. Loic Maurin has such a presence on the drums, it takes things to a completely new level when he's playing. He's the perfect example of a drummer who has adapted with the art form, blending in live drums with samples and electronics and weaving in between the programmed hits. He's half man and half machine. He's a strong, patient player who knows where to place hits that will be heard, but won't over take the grandeur of the piece. There is just no electronic replacement for an extremely solid, textural live drummer, and more and more electronic artists are starting to realize it. Maurin is a big part of why M83 are such an amazing live band, his energy and talent allow the rest of the band to really go off. He's a drummer you can trust to hold everything together.
Stylistically, Maurin fits in with guys like Martin Bulloch of Mogwai, Gerry Fuchs of Maserati and Brad Weber of Caribou, except he takes that powerful, thick kind of playing and puts in on the dance floor. He manages to have a unique and noticeable style on the drums without ever feeling excessive or selfish in his playing. He pushes himself but never beyond the songs means. That's an ability I wish more drummers had (or that I had myself, really).
The percussion arrangements on this album are the perfect blend of programmed drums and live playing, and most of that credit goes to Anthony Gonzalez who has an incredible sense of rhythm. A drum part is only as good as the song that it's for, and there is no lack of prime material on this whole double album. I don't know what it's like to play these songs in front of a festival crowd, but I'll bet it's pure bliss.
I can't embed it, but check out this video of M83 playing on Jimmy Fallon, and you'll see what I'm talking about.
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