Sound Of Silver : LCD Soundsystem : Review : Rolling Stone

For a future-disco hero, LCD Soundsystem's James Murphy is unusually self-conscious. Before you hear a single kick-drum sample on his excellent second album, Murphy seems to be intentionally setting the bar low, giving the massive, clattering dance-floor killer that opens the disc the awesomely pathetic title of "Get Innocuous." The first LCD track, 2002's "Losing My Edge," was an anthem for aging hipsters everywhere; Silver's first single, "North American Scum," is about the existential crisis of being American at this particular historical moment. Even though it's difficult to imagine Murphy ever exhorting, "Everybody dance now," musically he owes a huge debt to house-music masters like Clivilles and Cole. Putting aside the world-weary Bowie-meets-Byrne vocals, the bulk of the tracks -- "Innocuous," "Us v Them," "Sound of Silver" -- could be lost late-Eighties dance classics. But somehow it all holds together as an album (the New Wave-y tunes "Someone Great" and "All My Friends" help), and by the end, ex-indie-rocker Murphy comes full circle, returning to his roots with the Pavement-meets-Morrissey comic lament "New York I Love You but You're Bringing Me Down."

JONATHAN RINGEN

(Posted: Mar 9, 2007)

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Give us your review of Sound Of Silver

Review 1 of 4

3of 5 Stars

I liked this entertaining album OK, but if this is the future of music, then is the future of automobiles the Ford Pinto? Listening to this album is like playing an Atari in a world of Playstation 3. I guess most RS readers are too young to remember Kraftwerk or Human League. I got news for ya, it's been done. Enjoyable: sure. A Masterpiece: hardly.

Jan 3, 2008 08:47:00

Review 2 of 4

5of 5 Stars

Like Loud Reed trying to be Beck singing for Television with Herbie Hancock on keyboards. If I wasn't still waiting for albums from Wilco, Bjork & Radiohead, I'd say this was going to be the best album of the year.

Mar 21, 2007 15:42:46

Review 3 of 4

5of 5 Stars

This album must be experienced. Never has a band dined on past musical influences so well. After you download Of Montreals' 'Hissing Fauna..' immediately do the same for Sound of Silver. You will then see what path pop music is heading to.

Mar 20, 2007 04:31:05

Review 4 of 4

4of 5 Stars

Ah, James Murphy and his wacky ideas... LCD Soundsystem is definitely a strong contender for best album of the year. It's a danceable record with humorous and insightful lyrics. What more could you ask for? "North American Scum" will blow your mind with shouts and a toe-tapping rhythmn. Plus, Sound of Silver isn't even out yet which means that Rolling Stone illegally downloaded it.
Haha, Just Kidding... Or Am I?

Mar 14, 2007 17:08:17

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