By the 2010s, post-rock had been around long enough that the style's artists could look back to their roots.
Mogwai
does that on
Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will
, from the title's bone-dry humor to the band's reunion with
Young Team
producer
Paul Savage
. The musical DNA of
-- and its definitive track
"Like Herod"
in particular -- is everywhere on
Hardcore Will Never Die
, informing the doomy coda of
"Too Raging to Cheers"
as well as opening track
"White Noise"
's graceful melodic arcs, which lure the listener in rather than making a grand statement. Indeed, the album carries much of its emotional weight in its keyboard melodies, whether it's the subtle soar of
"Death Rays"
or the more mournful tones of
"Letters to the Metro."
Compared to the epic sprawl of
The Hawk Is Howling
,
feels simpler and more structured. The album's rock songs, including
"Mexican Grand Prix"
and
"San Pedro,"
feel almost like a theme
returns to throughout the album, with driving motorik rhythms and precipitous riffing that get heads nodding vigorously, if not exactly banging.
tease listeners with tantalizing glimpses of their full power as the album progresses with
"Rano Pano"
's shimmering majesty and
"How to Be a Werewolf"
's epic solo, but they save
's definitive onslaught for last.
"You're Lionel Richie"
combines the driest wit with the heaviest rock -- a quintessential
move -- as it builds from quasi-classical guitar figures to a scorching climax. As impressive as this moment is, it underscores how much smaller and subtler this album is than what came before it. While the album is far from rote,
certainly feels familiar; it may not be as immediately impressive as some
albums, but its back-to-basics approach makes it another fine addition to their body of work. ~ Heather Phares