Kids Will Be Skeletons (the Mogwai thread)

[BurtReynolds]

It's growing on me a bit. Ceiling Granny is a happy song that reminds me of better days.

[Brett]

The first few times I listened to the new album, it seemed pretty nondescript, but I gave it another run-through yesterday and I was totally caught up in many of the songs. "To The Bin My Friend, Tonight We Vacate Earth" is a very Mogwai opener, so methodical and triumphant in its slow build. "Here We, Here We, Here We Go Forever" is an early standout with the opening synth line being the best surprise of the album, while Stuart's cool broken vocoder melody that dominates the rest of the tune shows the band can still cover some new territory when they want to. On the other hand, Barry's vocoder trick on "Fuck Off Money" is basically the same one he first used on "Hunted By a Freak" and has repeatedly returned to since, making this track a bore and perhaps the record's low point.

For a band that's been around 25 years, it's not surprising that echoes of older material show up in this album; "Drive the Nail" reminds me of "The Precipice" with its slow but somehow urgent swells that are totally telegraphed but still seem interesting. "Supposedly, We Were Nightmares" has a similar kind of highway jam that is used in "How to Be a Werewolf" and "Crossing the Road Material," and that's a template I really enjoy, especially with the little electronic accoutrements that help differentiate this song.

As Burt indicated, "Ceiling Granny," makes use of some Pumpkins style fuzz to craft a joyously nostalgic vibe that Mogwai doesn't often attempt. It makes for another highlight in these early days of having the album.

When it all shakes out, I don't expect this album to end up as my favorite of 2021, but it's another solid addition to Mogwai's catalog of overall good, almost verging on great music. The world didn't need a new Mogwai record, but we're richer for it nonetheless.

[Ello Sailor]

Fuck Off Money > Ceiling Granny > Midnight Flit > Pat Stains is a run of tracks I keep going back to. I also love the opener 'To the Bin...', and the closer 'It's What I Want...'.

[Brett]

Fuck Off Money > Ceiling Granny > Midnight Flit > Pat Stains is a run of tracks I keep going back to. I also love the opener 'To the Bin...', and the closer 'It's What I Want...'.

Still not real keen on "Fuck Off Money," but otherwise that run of songs is pretty great, yeah.

[BurtReynolds]

Ritchie Sacramento is such a haunting song. The video, too.

[Ello Sailor]

Ritchie Sacramento is such a haunting song. The video, too.

Yeah it's beautiful.

Still recommending this album to anyone and everyone. I've nabbed a number of converts.

[VinylGuy]

i already downloaded it. I hope it gets me because i love this band but the latter releases were forgettable for me.

[Brett]

I think "Dry Fantasy" has been the biggest grower for me. I wasn't impressed when it was the lead single, and when the album came out it got buried by the songs I hadn't heard and that were more immediately interesting. Lately, though, it's been drawing my ear a lot more. Thinking of maybe doing a song rank some time.

[LetMeSleep]

Tracks 1 -4 are as good as the final 4 on Every Country's Sun.

Damn this band is good.

[Ello Sailor]

'It's What I Want to Do, Mom' is a colossal closer.

[washing machine]

This will be on queue for the dead hour trek home shortly. Fog and all.

[Ello Sailor]

That couldn't be more perfect, Reido.

[VinylGuy]

I seem to be bored by anything these guys do these days, most of the songs feel super derivative from previous work or some lazy attempt to overcome their limits, but there were 3 or 4 songs from the new one that got my attention like in the old days.

[Ello Sailor]

Listening to As the Love Continues again because it's an excellent record.

[Brett]

I seem to be bored by anything these guys do these days, most of the songs feel super derivative from previous work or some lazy attempt to overcome their limits, but there were 3 or 4 songs from the new one that got my attention like in the old days.

I can understand this criticism, though I don't agree with it. Mogwai have kind of settled into a certain groove in terms of their approach to sound creation and production, and I do think that they could benefit from trying to stretch their horizons in that regard. I do feel, however, that they overcome those limitations by bringing well-written songs to the table, especially on their last two non-soundtrack albums.

[Higgs]

Last album good.

Why say many word when few word do?

[diesel]

cant wait to see these guys in a couple of weeks.

[diesel]

anyone see these guys on this tour? I'm going tomorrow and i'm taking some newbs. I warned them their ears will never be the same.

[Brett]

Stuart's written a book: https://store.mogwai.scot/products/spac ... ital-print

It's a memoir about his time as a youth and the early days of Mogwai. It comes in various editions with some including a second book of photos and a signed print (the above link is the set that includes everything).

[BurtReynolds]

Saw them tonight. Great show. Very loud.