Mogwai - The Hawk Is Howling
(Matador) CD & 2LP
The Scottish post-rockers are back. Holdovers from the romantic late 90’s, when indie rock was sooooo exotic (remember those days!?), Mogwai have quietly (and noisily) planted their feet & dedicated themselves to exploring the realms of darkness/light & melancholy/aggression that colour their catalog so heavily. 2006’s underrated Mr. Beast balanced fragile piano ballads with crushing, dense distorted guitar riffage; like Keith Jarrett jamming with Pelican. The Hawk Is Howling cavorts in a similar realm; these dudes are still wandering the muddy back alleys & bucolic scenes that littered Godspeed! You Black Emperor’s dreams – well worth some time & heart invested.