THE HAWK IS HOWLING

Being a late arrival on the Mogwai scene this album strikes as refreshing and uplifting more so than some of the ealier works. I recall seeing this band live way back in 2000 and the one thing that struck me at the time was that they sounded lacklustre and bored. Maybe it was the venue, who knows. Anyhow this 2008 release begged the question if many fans were finding this just another ' automatic pilot' release then why were other listeners on the opposite side of the spectrum in terms of opinion? The albums starts off with the stereotypical " I'm Jim Morrison, I'm Dead" opener. If anything this plays out the least in new territory. The dark ' Batcat' follows, try see the video on youtube, great for raising chills up and down your spine. No major climax but a solid dirge of perpetual creeping nervousness. Sounds like a soundtrack to a SAW movie! " The Sun Smells Too Loud" is arguably the most commercial track and it is quite uplifting if only to suffer from being repetitive in a irritating sort of way. the strong points are ' Scotland's Shame' and the closing " precipice" which gives GSYBE a run for their money. This is a great album from a consistent band that give post rock/math rock a good name. It is little wonder this band is so highly praised by the likes of Robert Smith from the Cure. The Hawk is Howling comes as strongly recommended and worthwhile if you are new to Mogwai ways to start on this album first and work backwards.