Mogwai Rock Action (Matador)

Mogwai

Rock Action (Matador)

Even in rock nihilist circles, there are those who dismiss the decibel tsunamis of Mogwai as sonic posturing. They cite any number of rock deconstructionist groups who don't just riff on simple melodies, but actually write songs, and avoid wrapping everything they do in a druggy gauze. These naysayers view Glasgow quintet Mogwai as a one-trick pony. They're right. But they're also missing the point: It's one hell of a trick. Mogwai actually hail from the same school of minimalism that has graduated "new music" composers such as Steve Reich and Arvö Part, and though they'd probably shudder at the comparison, the construction of their music springs straight from the classical tradition. Working from a theme, they orchestrate using standard rock instrumentation and a vast dynamic range. Rarely has any group traveled so easily between the light and the dark. Yet Rock Action betrays some restlessness. David Fridmann (Mercury Rev, Flaming Lips) returns as producer, and opts for a stand-offish gloss. Even when all hell is breaking loose, you still feel as though you could stroll through the room; live, the same music would have you scanning the roof for structural damage. Guitarist Stuart Braithwaite takes several okay vocal turns, and a string section keeps floating in to add redundancy. Yet not surprisingly, the CD's best two selections, "You Don't Know Jesus" and "2 Rights Make 1 Wrong," are magnificent sculptures that stick to the basics. Whether this meddling signals boredom from within or a producer with too much leeway, one lesson is clear. When a band does what they do so well, it's best to let Mogwai be Mogwai. (Mogwai plays La Zona Rosa, Saturday, June 16.)