Pics: Mogwai @ Stubb’s 9.12
photo : valerie@fremin.net
I know, I’m a little tardy with getting this up and I apologize, but sometimes other things in life take priority over the blog. I wish I could make a living just blogging, but not gonna happen.
I have to admit, that I consciously have avoided the all instrumental rock band genre for many years, until I broke down and took in an Explosions In The Sky show last year. I remember distinctly, friends telling me of this incredibly loud and amazing band called Mogwai, back in the mid 90′s when the band first surfaced, but I never put forth much effort to catch their show. I’m a big fan of lyrics and the emotion or imagery that they produce along with the music, so it didn’t seem to make sense to me. Explosions changed that, and with a better understanding of how the music can work the same effect, the opportunity to catch the band that some could say paved the way for bands like Explosions, seemed more appealing.
As expected an arsenal of electric guitars, basses, and effect pedals decorated the stage. What I prepared myself for wasn’t exactly what I got, but all the more pleasing than anticipated. Being stamped the “loudest band in the world” sounded a bit daunting, and had me expecting a borderline unpleasant experience. What I got was loud, but more melodic and soothing than anticipated. The band moved around the stage trading off instrument duties between songs, creating this pleasant wash of distorted sound that has the potential to lure you into an almost hypnotic state.
I’m not going to lie, the all instrumental rock performance looses me after awhile, and I yearn for some vocals, but it does have it’s moments and in those few moments I find myself seduced by the music. I’ll entertain any opportunity to catch these unique all instrumental rock bands like Mogwai or Explosions In The Sky, and would suggest that if you have been holding out, much like I did, give it shot, it’s pretty cool stuff.
Mogwai has their 6th full length titled The Hawk is Howling hitting shelves Sept 23rd.
MP3> Mogwai ‘The Sun Smells Too Loud’
