May 24–31, 2001

cd reviews|rock/pop

Mogwai

Rock Action

(Matador)

Whether you’ve been waiting for these arrogant young Scots to fall on their collective arses or have been hoping they will save rock n’ roll, you might be disappointed with their third proper full-length record. Mogwai have simply made, in less than 40 minutes, another step forward, another creative statement. Mogwai once feared singing as much as they feared Satan, but guitarist Stuart Braithwaite can carry a breathy tune on "Take Me Somewhere Nice," "O I Sleep," and "Secret Pint." Like the addition of banjo, bleeps and strings on "2 Rights Make 1 Wrong," vocals make Rock Action deeper than their previous record Come on Die Young. Still, a track like "You Don’t Know Jesus" has all you’ve come to expect from the boys’ massive wall of sound, and will undoubtedly be a live crowd-pleaser. Mogwai grow slowly, coyly revealing new influences, while always retaining something of what made the world take notice in the first place. They may just be as good as they tell you they are.

—Chris Nosal

Mogwai will perform with Bardo Pond, Thu., May 24, 9 p.m., at the TLA, 334 South St., 215-922-1011, www.electricfactory.com, $14, $16 day of show.