James Murphy is a man who wears many hats. The New Jersey native spends his days working behind a desk as head honcho of the pioneering DFA Records and his nights producing/ remixing artists such as Le Tigre, NERD and, err, Britney Spears.
Occasionally accompanied by bassist Tyler Pope, drummer Pat Mahoney and keyboardist Nancy Whang, he is also the creative genius behind LCD Soundsystem whose self titled debut album rejuvenated the sub genre “dance punk”.
LCD return with their much anticipated second album Sound of Silver on 12th March on DFA/ EMI Records.
And judging by the early reviews, it’s going to be even better than its predecessor.
They say:
This is Fake DIY: “Easily one of the most impressive, cohesive albums DIY’s heard in a long time.”
Rocklouder: “Combines the essential music of the decade and modern production values of today together wonderfully to create something that sounds so fresh, nostalgic and enjoyable.”
We say:
As fantastic as LCD Soundsystem’s debut long player was, Murphy still expressed regret that he and his guns for fire had failed to capture the sonic depth that so characterised their early 12” releases.
Fortunately, he can’t say the same about Sound of Silver. In addition to the Brian Eno and Mark E Smith worshipping of old, he draws on a multitude of 70s and 80s pop music and moulds them into his own unique brand of intelligent, surreal Technicolor funk.
Opening track ‘Get Innocuous!’, for example, envisions David Bowie and Talking Heads’ David Byrne poppin’ pills together at a Paul Oakenfold gig.
‘Someone Great’ is Depeche Mode and Human League mourning the death of a relationship amid customary beeps and blips space funk, with the touching refrain, “When someone great is gone…” adding gravity to the narrative.
The superb ‘North American Scum’, meanwhile, is a satirical look at the worldwide perception of Bush USA and sounds like Beck fronting Kraftwerk, all megaphone distortion, repetitive percussion and staccato guitars.
Most pleasing of all, though, is the closing track ‘New York, I Love You But You’re Bringing Me Down’ in which Lou Reed is seemingly buggered by Ziggy Stardust as lounge piano makes way for glam guitar.
Fair play to Murphy. With Sound of Silver he has achieved what so few artists ever do. He has expanded his soundscape tenfold and paid homage to his idols without sacrificing his own unique identity in the process.
Moreover, he has recorded one of the coolest and funkiest albums of 2007.
Like this? Try these:
Brian Eno and David Byrne – My Life in the Bush of Ghosts
Kraftwerk – Computer World
Talking Heads – Remain in Light
RELEASED
12th March ‘06
LABEL
DFA/ EMI
POSTED...
Sat 17 Mar 2007 at 8:19pm
