When I first heard last year that Glaswegian band Mogwai were going to release a live album, I could barely contain my excitement. For one, they are a dominating force in the world of post-rock (or however you like to classify their music). They are also reputed for putting on a fantastic live show and this would be the first live album in their 15-year career, so that only added to the anticipation for this release. During shows of their 2008/2009 American tour, Mogwai recorded a number of tracks over three performances at The Music Hall of Williamsburg in Brooklyn, New York. The result was Special Moves, a full salute to their work to date.
Mogwai aren’t a flamboyant band. Their music rarely contains vocals, and they’re not ones for putting on a spectacle for live shows; they live and breathe primarily by the quality of their music. This is perfect for the live album that they provide; 11 tracks (17 on the LP and digital versions) of majestic excellence. There is nothing to detract from the listening experience, no senseless shout-outs to the crowd to break the atmosphere; just pure submersion in their music.
For Special Moves, the Scots chose a playlist that really reflects their distinctive musical style. With seven albums of material and experimentation to select from, they bring the listener the perfect combination of atmosphere and intensity. There are troughs and peaks, slow melodical builds and roaring crescendos, soft trickles and raging thunder; all laid out in an order that easily pulls the listener along for the ride.
It’s easy to tell from their studio albums that Mogwai spend a lot of time on delivering perfectly-constructed music. However, in the live setting, they lose part of their production polish, resulting in a more raw and honest sound. At their peak, the bass thunders and the guitars howl like banshees, driving out a more visceral sound. Even the vocals in “CODY” sound more authentic, with the higher audibility and roughness of Braithwaite’s voice adding to the song’s poignancy.
Recorded alongside the live album is Burning, a 50-minute live-performance film documentary that is a real star in the set. Directed by La Blogothèque/Take-Away Shows compatriots Vincent Moon and Nataniel la Souanec, Burning is filmed in a high-contrast monochrome style that is both stark and evocative. The eight-track film chooses not to focus on any particular band member, but instead moves the camera regularly around the stage, with close-ups hovering on the fingers on guitar strings or the subtle glances between the band members. Gone are the stock-standard master shot and overly-gratuitous crowd shots; the film is about the music.
For those unfamiliar with Mogwai, Burning provides an insight into their music’s structure. Being able to see how the band works together to layer five instruments into a complex composition is often stunning. The various band members appear to be doing their own thing, and with different timings, but are carefully coordinated and even the simplest note-playing can be the keystone in the overall arrangement.
The black and white footage shows some brilliant cinematography, but the editing too is well-done. Surrounding the eight performances are little vignettes, delivered in an inconsistent time order. Some show the members of the band taking public transport to the gig and doing sound-checks, and others show the audience arriving and departing. These little scenes add a little complementary story around the music and are quite artful in their presentation. As an example, in one scene, the audience are shown mulling around as they wait for the band to begin; in the next instant, we’re in the depths of “Like Herod”, watching the tranced-out euphoria evident on the faces of the audience.
Admittedly, Mogwai is one of my favourite bands, and I did have some worries that I would not be able to be objective in reviewing both Special Moves and Burning. However, they have released something that is captivating and extraordinary, and I have to admit that this may just be one of the most perfect albums I have ever heard. Both the album and film make excellent primers for first-time Mogwai listeners, and are a real treat for long-time listeners. I cannot recommend enough that you try both Special Moves and Burning.
