Mogwai - Mexican Grand Prix

Now then, now then. I love some of my Mogwai memories. The pissed-up, post-gig, sweat-sodden boys shouting comical territorial abuse at rowdy England fans streaming outside from their 1st floor dressing room at Leeds Duchess! Being flattened & pummeled beyond belief at the Carling festival by the most powerful roar, thrum & ferocity of white noise/blinding strobes! This 2011 newie has a sleeve that, cover art-wise, ties in with their first three (highly desirable) 7"s, seemingly picturing an aerial view of Glasgow. Continuing their long-standing outsider rock business with a fine double headed release that has a distinctly propulsive spacey feel on the track 'Mexican Grand Prix'. This tune is led by breathy vocals from Long Fin Killie/Bows man Luke Sutherland and some call & response vocoder action from one of the regular boys, Stuart I presume? It bears little resemblance to the Moggers of yore, the steady mid-paced beat seems virtually electronic & there's much layering of atmospheric rock guitar. It also carries a slight Neu! style pulse along with it. The flip, 'Slight Domestic' has some gorgeous haunting violin flourishes from Mr. Sutherland but this baby is an instrumental so no guest vox here. Here we're wallowing in much more familiar territory - stately, grandiose, moving & driven by some highly emotive piano. It is a veritable modern post-rock epic that will keep the hordes most happy I should imagine. They've definitely chilled out over the years but there's plenty here to satisfy the devotee.