At this point, you know what youre getting into with a Mogwai record. Theres the deafening post-rock throwdowns, the cosmic breathers, a bunch of tuneful brooding and, of course, gloom. Yeah, its become a bit predictable but its also been consistent. The dreary Scots have yet to deliver an all-out dud in their 13 years and The Hawk Is Howling is no exception. Dropping the tighter, more rigid structures of Mr. Beast, Mogwai have returned to loose, sprawling configurations for album number six, a move thats more than welcome. Like with Gwai of old, the music now breathes a bit more, allowing the songs to ebb, flow and stretch across the album. Theres still a bit of tension like on the screaming "Batcat and "The Precipice but Mogwai are now out to lull you into submission rather than knock you on your arse. At one point, in fact, they even get downright cheery with the Kraut-flavoured "The Sun Smells Too Loud, the groups most un-Mogwai-like track yet and ironically, the albums highlight. The Hawk Is Howling is not the bands finest album but its a step back in the right direction.
(Matador Records)Mogwai
The Hawk Is Howling
BY Brock ThiessenPublished Sep 28, 2008
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