LCD Soundsystem “Sound of Silver” Review
Not unlike the mix created by LCD Soundsystem’s James Murphy for the Nike Original Run series, Sound of Silver starts slowly with a gradual midtempo electronic introduction “Get Innocuous.” So many times electronica has been acclaimed for its progressive nature but with the album’s opener there is something highly intangible that gives it a highly unusual and textured feel, something truly progressive. Its wavy post-punk vocals reverse the rolls of a traditional instrumental as they serve as a mere interlude, giving way to an electrofunk cheer which boasts the concluding plea, “get innocuous!” But just as the song’s lyrics suggest a harmless environment, the song too suggests something entirely Moby-esque at its core. Again likening it to last year’s 45:33 Sound of Silver grows out of any premature comparisons to either the stylings of other musicians or previous Soundsystem efforts as it melds a mixture of post-no-mo-whatever-wave and electronica in what might just be the greatest effort of Murphy’s career.
Last year’s overapplauded dance-rock outing by the still-reputable NYC-based dance rock band The Rapture would have been far more successful if it had sounded like Sound of Silver‘s second track “Time to Get Away.” Even thought Murphy has his own “Whoo! Alright – Yeah…Uh Huh.” moment with “Ah-what what what what what did you think would happen next?,” repeated listens prove it an eventual tempo builder. While “Get Innocuous” is the album’s introduction, “Time to Get Away” is Murphy’s cowbell warm-up act for one of the finer strings of music that any album may see this year; including “North American Scum,” a renovated song from 45:33 entitled “Someone Great” and the finest song that the album offers lyrically “All My Friends.”
Not too long ago I watched LCD Soundsystem’s 2005 performance on The Late Show with David Letterman for the first time. James Murphy took center stage and the entire performance seemed to revolve around his lyrics, which even with “Daft Punk is Playing at My House” are still fairly damn sharp. These three tracks help identify his continually increasing status as a full-blown front man. “Someone Great” was cut and dried history as it was included in 45:33 as an instrumental piece in the mix, but revamping it with the inclusion of actual lyrics suggests that Murphy is too continually attempting to add maturity to his music.
Telling my friend recently that “All My Friends” is the greatest song of the year might have been an overstatement, but it is surprisingly rich in visuals nonetheless. It’s a retrospective piece, about looking back and figuring out what makes life worthwhile and finding conclusions on being truthful to oneself. It’s not nearly as musically stunning as “North American Scum” but it’s a bold move by such a musician, and it’s done as honestly as possible.
The album in its entirety is somewhat scattered, seemingly attempting to have served too many inner-voices rather than one continual purpose. It jumps from superficial Caucasian booty-rock to a thoughtful crashing societal commentary and back again. But for all its faults (most of which are nonexistent) it’s entirely too complete and contagious to dismiss before or after its first listen.
completely agree with you that “all my Friends” is potentially track of the year and possibly the most honest that he’s written.
Thank you Steph! I played this song for one of my friends while we were having a few drinks not too long ago and she completely agreed…it’s rare that lyrics come across my path that I honestly have an easy time identifying with…but All My Friends does so with flying colors.